Lenny Marapin

After I finished my high school studies in Aruba, I came to the Netherlands in 2012 to study Medicine in Groningen. During my studies, I became acquainted with the Movement Disorders Expertise Centre in the UMCG and together we conducted a pilot study on functional hyperkinetic movement disorders (HMD). I started my MD-PhD project at the department of Neurology on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in HMD, in collaboration with the Cognitive Neuroscience Center. HMD are highly debilitating neurological syndromes characterized by excessive involuntary movements. These disorders are notoriously complex and establishing the correct diagnosis can be difficult, even in the hands of experienced movement disorder specialists. Whilst the cause for many HMD remains unknown, it is increasingly recognized that functional changes in brain networks have important roles in this process. The overarching aim of this project is therefore to gain insight into the underlying brain networks of HMD to potentially pave the way for improved diagnostic and treatment modalities.

My other interests include health economics, public health and data science. In my free time, I like to play the guitar and piano and occasionally collaborate with others to produce music. 

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