Sandra Coecke

Background

About Sandra Coecke

1989 STEM Degree of University Engineer in Chemistry and Agricultural Sciences (Specialisation Biotechnology) followed by PhD degree at the Free University of Brussels, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Joined in 1993 Pharmaceutical Company Janssen Pharmaceutica, Beerse, Belgium, lead of the In vitro Toxicology laboratory. In 1994 awarded the International Price from Foundation for the Substitution of Animal Experimentation in Luxembourg. In 1996 joined the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), European Commission Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy. With more then 30 years experience in toxicology; acquired a strong background in the fields of in vitro metabolism/xenobiotic biotransformation in hepatic systems, in vitro neurotoxicity/developmental neurotoxicity, in vitro topical toxicity (eye and skin), new advanced technologies, quality standards and principles (Good Laboratory Practices GLP & Test Facility Management; Good Cell Culture Practices GCCP and OECD Good In VItro Method GIVIMP Practices ) and in the scientific steering of large international collaborative European research projects (Tox-drop and nanotechnological approaches for spotting hepatic nanodrops, Acutetox-in vitro acute toxicity integrated testing strategy, Vitrocellomics-omics and stem cell-based technologies). Has run several validation studies. She managed the European Union Network of Laboratories for the Validation of Alternative Methods (EU-NETVAL), 35 high quality laboratories across Europe and coordinates and coordinated a large validation study with 17 mechanistic methods for the detection of chemicals that may disrupt normal thyroid function. She has received the Björn Ekwall Memorial Award (BEMA ) winner 2020/2021 for the development and validation of new in silico & in vitro cell- and tissue-based NAMs methods for toxicity testing At the EC JRC she currently acts as a multi-stakeholder horizontal team leader on emerging health threats and the one health approach. She published over 100 peer scientific publications and book chapters and lectured around the globe and published a major EC JRC study exploring how by using new innovative technologies based on human biology cell and tissue and mathematics-based methods better understand the Covid19 disease. Currently she coordinates the Decoding Depression Science for Policy One Health file on Exploring the Environome Across Life Course for Global Resilience.