Independent Evaluation Committee
To ensure a fair and high-quality assessment of all submissions, AOECS appoints an independent Evaluation Committee comprising experts in coeliac disease and related fields. The committee reviews the submitted work based on its scientific quality, relevance, innovation and potential impact, helping AOECS recognise and encourage promising young researchers in the field of coeliac disease.
The Evaluation Committee for 2026 Youth Researcher Award
Luisa Mearin Manrique, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor Luisa Mearin Manrique is an Emeritus Paediatric Gastroenterologist and Professor Emeritus of Paediatrics at the Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center.
Her ambition is to improve the health and quality of life of children with illness, particularly those affected by gastrointestinal diseases, especially coeliac disease.
She has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric gastrointestinal diseases. Professor Luisa Mearin is internationally recognised for her contributions to the field of childhood coeliac disease, including its epidemiology, immunology, genetics, treatment, prevention, complications and impact on patients' quality of life.
She has coordinated numerous national and international research projects, including the European PreventCD project on the prevention of coeliac disease and the GLUTENSCREEN project, which focuses on the early detection of the disease through the Dutch Preventive Health Care Centres for Children.
In 2013, she was appointed an Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau in recognition of her work to improve the lives of children with coeliac disease.
In 2023, she was awarded the Dicke Medal, the highest honour of the Dutch Society of Gastroenterology.
Jeroen Knol
Former Treasurer of the NCV, with a research background and a daughter with coeliac disease. Previously served on the jury for the Dutch Young Researcher Award for several years.
Guilherme Tavares Bastos
Currently studying Electronic Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. Diagnosed with coeliac disease at the age of seven, he is a substitute member of the Board of the Portuguese Coeliac Association (APC) and is actively involved in the Association’s activities, including meetings, events and summer camps. He is also involved in Coeliac Youth of Europe (CYE). His personal experience and involvement with APC allow him to bring a valuable patient perspective to the evaluation process.
.
Back