Alumna in the spotlight: Kim Wijlens (TM'19, PhD'25)

Interview with Kim Wijlens (alumna Technical Medicine) by Diana Dalenoord (UT Alumni Officer).

When Kim started her Bachelor’s in Technical Medicine at the University of Twente, she already knew she wanted to contribute to healthcare, but not as a physician.

I realised I didn’t want to carry the full responsibility that comes with being a physician, but I did want to have a meaningful role in improving care. During an open day, I also visited the simulation centre, and I immediately knew this programme would challenge me and allow me to make a difference.

Today, Kim continues that mission as a postdoctoral researcher in the Biomedical Signals and Systems (BSS) group within the Department of Electrical Engineering (Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Twente). Her work bridges technology and patient care, focusing on one of the most distressing symptoms in (breast) cancer survivors: cancer-related fatigue.

From the ICU to the living room

As a Technical Medicine student, Kim gained early hands-on experience in hospitals and clinics.

What I appreciated most about the programme was how close you get to real clinical practice. Through internships and graduation projects, you get a preview of your future professional field.

For her bachelor’s thesis, she collaborated with the University Medical Centre Groningen on a study into nasal high-flow oxygen therapy in paediatric care. “We tested whether a breathing tube could remain in place when ventilation was paused, to see if a child could breathe independently. Removing and reinserting the tube is very unpleasant for patients, so our goal was to make the process safer and less invasive.”

Her later master’s internships took her through different departments: cardiology, neurosurgery, intensive care, and surgery. It gave her a broad view of healthcare in practice. “It taught me to see the patient as a person, not just a case or a dataset.”

Fighting cancer-related fatigue through personalised care

During her PhD, Kim worked on the PARTNR project (Personalized cAnceR TreatmeNt and caRe). The goal: to develop a platform for breast cancer patients that predicts, monitors, and provides personalised treatment advice to manage cancer-related fatigue.

Many breast cancer patients experience extreme fatigue, even years after their cancer treatment. There are treatments available, but they’re not effective for everyone. We wanted to understand why, and how we could tailor care to each individual.

Kim’s research focused on creating holistic patient profiles, combining clinical data with daily-life insights to support personalised intervention advice. “I developed a questionnaire to identify the experience of CRF and the perpetuating factors of CRF. This information can help patients and healthcare providers identify the right treatment and monitor the CRF in daily life. It’s not just about data, it’s about giving patients tools to regain control of their lives.”

PARTNR is a collaboration between the University of Twente, ZiekenhuisGroep Twente (ZGT), Helen Dowling Institute (HDI), Roessingh Rehabilitation Centre, Roessingh Research and Development (RRD), Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Evidencio, and the University Medical Centre of Groningen (UMCG). “Working with such a broad network of professionals and patients made the research come to life,” Kim says. “It’s incredibly rewarding when patients tell you they feel heard, and awareness was created for something that is often underreported.”

Bridging technology and humanity

For Kim, the true strength of her work lies in combining technical expertise with empathy. “Whether you’re working with children or adults, the essence is the same: you must understand what your patient needs and how to communicate that effectively,” she says. Her background in Technical Medicine provided a solid foundation.

The clinical internships and communication training during my studies prepared me well. Learning to collaborate with both medical staff, engineers, and patients taught me how to translate between two worlds.

Now, as a postdoctoral researcher, Kim continues the PARTNR project, exploring the route towards implementation in practice. “We’re determining how the system should look, should it be an app, or something else? Who gets to see the results: the patient, the doctor, or both? These questions are crucial for real-world use.”

Looking back and ahead

Reflecting on her time at the University of Twente, Kim fondly recalls the sense of community that she experienced. “We had our own corner in the Noord-Horst where we studied and talked together, it made collaboration natural and easy,” she smiles. “I also loved the diversity of my internships; shadowing nurses for two weeks gave me a completely new perspective on patient care.”

Her PhD journey, supported by a strong supervisory team and a network of dedicated partners, has shaped her as both a researcher and a healthcare innovator. “It’s fulfilling to see how technology can truly impact people’s lives. I’m grateful I can continue this work at UT.”

For more about the PARTNR project

👉 PARTNR | Personalized cAnceR TreatmeNt and caRe

or read the article in Tubantia (Dutch, subscription required): “Extreem moe na borstkanker: dit Twentse onderzoek moet duizenden patiënten gaan helpen.”