What We do
Regional Research
Publications & Reports
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Why CBHRI
Driving Research for Better Health in the Caribbean
CBHRI conducts interdisciplinary research to improve health and well-being in the Caribbean.
We collaborate with partners in the region and beyond to generate knowledge, support public health, and strengthen care systems.
Our Areas of Focus
• Virology & Infectious Diseases: Surveillance and response to arboviruses and infectious diseases.
• Mental Health & Public Health: Advancing mental health and improving access to care.
• Oncology & Cancer Studies: Research focused on local cancer care and prevention.
• Immunology: Understanding immune responses in infectious disease contexts.
• Epidemiology & Data Science: Evidence generation to support public health policy.
• Microplastics & Environmental Health: Investigating microplastic exposure and health risks in the region.
Our Projects
New Project announcement: Dengue surveillance and response through clade displacement analysis and targeted interventions.
This project focuses on the impact of dengue on maternal and child health in Curaçao and Bonaire and aims to strengthen outbreak preparedness through genomic surveillance and regional collaboration
Publications
The impact of science on society is immense. It enables the power to do good as well as making a difference by stimulating innovations and influencing public policies which result in the improvement of people’s lives.
All CBHRI-scientists will include in their publications sufficient information about their experimental methods and procedures, and make available data, software, and tangible research materials, to enable other scientists to reproduce and extend the results of all publications on which the CBHRI laboratories have participated. CBHRI strongly encourages all it scientists to publish their original, peer-reviewed research in journals that make publications freely available and downloadable online immediately after publication (i.e. open access journals).
Advancing Public Health Through Strategic Collaboration
At CBHRI, we believe that lasting impact in the Dutch Caribbean can only be achieved through strong, cross-sector partnerships. In line with SDG 17, we collaborate with universities, governments, non-profits, and industry to co-develop solutions for pressing health challenges. Our research spans critical areas like infectious diseases, cancer and mental health.
By sharing expertise, resources, and networks, we accelerate innovation, strengthen local capacity, and turn science into action.
Whether you are a researcher, policymaker, or company ready to make a difference, we welcome opportunities to work together for a healthier, more resilient future.
Vision
CBHRI envisions becoming a center of academic excellence and innovation, where cutting-edge research is conducted to address pressing health challenges in the Dutch Caribbean.
By generating regionally relevant scientific knowledge and fostering local research capacity, we aim to drive evidence-based policies and improve health outcomes for present and future generations, while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mission
CBHRI’s mission is to advance public health in the Dutch Caribbean through interdisciplinary research, regional collaboration, and capacity building.
Our research focuses on epidemiology, infectious diseases, immunology, social sciences, and cancer—fields critical to improving human health in the Caribbean and Latin America.
We are expanding into environmental health research, including the impact of microplastics on public health on human health.
By contributing to SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), we aim to generate actionable knowledge, strengthen healthcare systems, and empower communities through innovation, education, and collaboration.
Who We Are
Located in Willemstad, Curaçao, the Curaçao Biomedical & Health Research Institute is dedicated to improving public health outcomes in the Caribbean and Dutch Caribbean.
We focus on studying diseases that affect the region, conducting innovative research, and fostering collaborations that drive impactful solutions for our communities.
CBHRI’s work is aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being: through epidemiological research, disease prevention, and mental healthcare initiatives.
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SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation & SDG 14 Life Below Water: via our new research focus on microplastics and their impact on environmental and human health.
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SDG 4 Quality Education: by offering training programs, internships, and educational outreach to strengthen local scientific capacity.
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals: by fostering cross-sector collaborations with governments, universities, and international institutions.
Together, these efforts help us create lasting, evidence-based improvements in health and sustainability across the Caribbean region.
Translating Biology into Medicine
Each department operates from a Translational Medicine philosphy
the key is cross functional teamwork
At CBHRI, we embrace a translational research model where the patient is at the center and research spans a wide landscape of diseases. This approach demands more than just expertise, it requires collaboration. Our strength lies in cross-functional teamwork, where scientists, clinicians, policy experts, and community partners work together to accelerate discoveries and turn them into real-world health solutions.
organization
Research Support and Capital Management
At CBHRI, interdisciplinary teams of researchers, postdocs, PhD students, and technicians work together across projects. The Capital Management team supports this work by identifying funding opportunities and co-developing grant proposals alongside postdocs and principal investigators.
Currently, we collaborate with freelance professionals (zzp’ers) for science communication and design, who help translate research outcomes into accessible, high-impact materials for public, academic, and policy audiences. In the future, CBHRI aims to build an internal communications team to strengthen knowledge dissemination and increase visibility across the region.
Why It Matters
The Caribbean faces a unique combination of health challenges, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, environmental risks, and climate-related threats. At CBHRI, we work to better understand these issues through science, data, and innovation. By focusing on region-specific research, we help shape effective, sustainable solutions and prepare for healthier, more resilient futures in the Caribbean and Dutch Caribbean.
New Research Focus: Microplastics & Public Health
CBHRI is investigating how plastic pollution in our environment may affect human health in the Dutch Caribbean. Field research, local sampling, and community-based monitoring are helping us understand exposure risks and inform public health strategies.
Learn more about our Microplastic & Public Health research.
CBHRI Webinars, Events & Latest News
Stay Informed on Research, Events & Innovations from the Dutch Caribbean
The CBHRI Webinars, Events, and News section offers updates on biomedical research and healthcare innovation across the Dutch Caribbean. Discover insights from leading experts as they share developments, preventive strategies, and tailored healthcare solutions for the region.
We regularly share updates on our research programs, public health insights, and upcoming webinars hosted by CBHRI and our partners. Stay connected and informed about the latest developments in virology, immunology, oncology, epidemiology, and social sciences—all with a focus on relevance to the Caribbean context.
Latest News
Podcast
Latest Webinar
COVIDCAS webinar video from CBHRI on Vimeo.
COVIDCAS is a ZonMW funded research project dealing with the impact of COVID-19 measures on vulnerable families in Curacao, Aruba and Sint Martin.
Click here to read more about the Project
Departments
At CBHRI, our six departments collaborate across disciplines, uniting expertise to address the most pressing health challenges. By combining insights from virology, immunology, oncology, epidemiology, and social sciences, we drive groundbreaking research that makes a meaningful impact on healthcare in the Dutch Caribbean and beyond.
Immunology
The Department of Immunology is involved in understanding of the immune response in infectious diseases and cardiovascular conditions.
Epidemiology
The Department of Epidemiology focuses on the study of frequency and distribution of diseases and the underlying determinants of health.
Virology
The Department of Virology is involved in development and validation of diagnostics, studies of pathogenesis and development of intervention strategies for several viruses of importance for Dutch Caribbean and the region.
Oncology
The department of Oncology will study several aspects of diagnosis and treatment of cancers relevant to the Dutch Caribbean, in close collaboration with other groups in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Social sciences
The Department of Social sciences focuses on the determinants of health, health behavior and health services utilization.
Capital Management
The Capital Management Office (CMO) of CBHRI is responsible for the financial administration of grants funded by life-science funding agents, corporate responsibility foundations (CRF), charity foundations (CF), and crowd funding (FR).
GROUP LEADERS
Contact Us Today and Make a Difference!
Your support helps us drive groundbreaking research, improve healthcare outcomes, and create lasting impact. Whether you have questions, want to collaborate, or are ready to support our mission, we would love to hear from you!
