Leiden University Medical Centre
Wouter van der Valk, MD is a PhD candidate at Leiden University Medical Centre and a member of the OtoBiology Leiden research group, led by Heiko Locher, MD, PhD.
He specialises in human inner ear development and disease modelling, with a focus on inner ear organoids – miniature, lab-grown versions of the inner ear. These models are used to study how the inner ear develops, how it can be damaged, and how it might one day be repaired.
More about Wouter’s work
Currently in the final phase of his PhD, Wouter uses stem cell technology, single-cell RNA sequencing, and advanced imaging to explore inner ear biology at cellular and molecular levels. His publications have helped deepen our understanding of how organoids compare to the developing human inner ear and how they can be used as preclinical models for hearing loss.
He received the Spoendlin Junior Award at the 2022 Inner Ear Biology Workshop and was awarded two travel grants to work at the Koehler Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, where he learned the inner ear organoid technique. Wouter now also supports the supervision of several PhD students, and is committed to advancing inner ear research and contributing to future therapies for hearing and balance disorders.
Understanding and treating hearing loss: discovering how our inner ear genes work
Read about Wouter’s research projectWouter’s hopes for hearing research
I’m motivated by the idea that most of us take our ability to hear and maintain balance for granted, yet these are remarkable gifts made possible by a normally functioning inner ear. When that function is lost, the impact on quality of life can be profound. Contributing to efforts that preserve or restore this sense feels meaningful to me.
I chose hearing research because the inner ear is a remarkably complex and elegant organ, and there is still so much to discover. Its intricate development and function offer both scientific challenges and opportunities to make a real difference.
I hope my research will advance knowledge about human inner ear biology and ultimately contribute to the development of new therapies that can help patients with hearing loss, balance disorders, and other inner ear related conditions.
RNID funding gives me the opportunity to perform highly relevant inner ear research that might not otherwise be possible. It supports the generation of new insights that can drive the field forward and, in the long term, improve outcomes for people affected by hearing disorders.