Hein Sprong

Hein Sprong is a distinguished scientist and research coordinator specializing in vector-borne diseases, particularly those transmitted by ticks. Born in 1971, he has an extensive academic and professional background in biomedical sciences and infectious disease research.1

Academic Background

Sprong studied Biomedical Sciences at Utrecht University and obtained his PhD in Medicine from the University of Amsterdam in 2001.1 Following his doctoral studies, he pursued postdoctoral research at the Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, Germany, until 2003.1

Professional Career

Academic Positions::

• Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry, Utrecht University (until 2007)1
• Visiting Scientist at Wageningen UR (University & Research centre)

Current Role:: Sprong currently works at the Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology of the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environment in the Netherlands) as a researcher and research coordinator.12 He leads a multidisciplinary team focusing on wildlife and vector-borne diseases, with a particular emphasis on the Lyme disease spirochete.1

Research Focus

Sprong's research interests encompass:

• Ecology and epidemiology of vectors and vector-borne diseases
• Molecular aspects of infectious diseases
• Diagnostics of infectious diseases
• Control of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases12

Achievements and Contributions

• Published over 200 scientific articles on vector-borne diseases1
• Participated in numerous national and international projects on controlling Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases1
• Recently contributed to diagnosing the first human case of babesiosis in the Netherlands, caused by Babesia venatorum3

Hein Sprong's extensive experience and contributions have established him as a prominent figure in the field of vector-borne diseases, particularly in tick-borne pathogens research and public health.