Lieke Kerstjens, MD, graduated as a medical doctor from Leiden University in 2024. She went on to work as a resident (ANIOS) in surgery at Groene Hart Ziekenhuis, where she built broad clinical experience.

She is currently a PhD candidate at Amsterdam UMC. Her PhD is a collaborative project between the Intensive Care department of Amsterdam UMC, the surgery department of Alrijne Ziekenhuis, and the Dutch Ministry of Defence. Alongside her research, she continues to work as a resident (ANIOS) in surgery at Alrijne Ziekenhuis, combining clinical practice with academic work.