Ellen Vercalsteren

I am an Assistant Professor in the NeuroCardioMetabol group, where I recently established my own research program focusing on how metabolic dysfunction affects functional recovery after stroke.

I am a biomedical scientist by training and obtained my PhD from KU Leuven in 2020, where I studied the impact of diet composition on obesity and its associated metabolic complications. During my postdoctoral training, my research focused on determining whether antidiabetic treatments could improve recovery after stroke in experimental type 2 diabetes.

In addition to my research activities, I founded the KI-SÖS Junior Faculty Network and currently serve on its organizing committee. I also serve as a coordinator for the Degree Project in Medicine at KI.

Selected public outreach activities:

EAN 2026: Can Pre-Stroke Weight Loss Prevent Persistent Disability in Type 2 Diabetes?

My research focuses on identifying the metabolic determinants of poor stroke outcome in type 2 diabetes, with the goal of developing strategies to reduce post-stroke disability in this high-risk population. Building on my previous work demonstrating that antidiabetic interventions improve stroke outcome in experimental T2D, I integrate nationwide epidemiological data with mechanistic studies to determine whether and how metabolic dysfunction influences recovery after stroke. This work forms the foundation of my independent research program and aims to identify clinically actionable therapeutic targets to improve post-stroke recovery in people with type 2 diabetes.

2026-present

·      Coordinator in the Degree Project in Medicine at KI

2024 & 2026

·      Teacher in ”forskarskolan I klinisk behandling – precisionsmedicin” at Södersjukhuset (KI & Region Stockholm)