Pater Eeuwensweg 36 Willemstad Curaçao

+5999 788 9903

info@cbhri.com

CBHRI

Curaçao BioMedical & Health Research Institute

Advancing Public Health Research in the Dutch Caribbean

CBHRI

Curaçao BioMedical & Health Research Institute

Advancing Public Health Research in the Dutch Caribbean

CBHRI

Curaçao BioMedical & Health Research Institute

Advancing Public Health Research in the Dutch Caribbean

CBHRI

Curaçao BioMedical & Health Research Institute

Advancing Public Health Research in the Dutch Caribbean

CBHRI

Curaçao BioMedical & Health Research Institute

Advancing Public Health Research in the Dutch Caribbean

CBHRI is actively seeking funding to support innovative research in virology, immunology, oncology, epidemiology, & social sciences, all relevant to the Dutch Caribbean. Want to contribute or collaborate? Contact our Capital Management Office at e.martina@cbhri.com.

What We do

Why CBHRI

Discover Our Research

Publications

Collaborate / Partner with us

Vision

The vision of CBHRI is to become an institute of academic excellence where basic research and applied research is conducted.

Mission

Advancing Public Health Research in the Dutch Caribbean

CBHRI conducts interdisciplinary research on epidemiology, infectious diseases, immunology, social sciences and cancer to improve human health in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Who We Are

Located in Willemstad, Curaçao, the Curaçao Biomedical & Health Research Institute (CBHRI) is dedicated to improve 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.

Why It Matters

The Caribbean faces unique health challenges, from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases. Our work aims to better understand and address these conditions, preparing for healthier futures in the region.

Translating Biology into Medicine

Each department operates from a Translational Medicine philosphy

the key is cross functional teamwork

In our model of translational research the patient is central and the research focuses on a landscape of multiple diseases. Therefore, we have to be a highly collaborative organization.

organization

The organization is composed of post-docs, techncians and PhD students working together to study the different problems in each project.

Advancing Health and Innovation Together

 Join us in our mission to advance public health research in the Dutch Caribbean

Collaborate with us to drive impactful research that addresses public health challenges in the Caribbean & Dutch Caribbean. Together, we can make meaningful strides toward healthier communities.

Discover Our Research:

Want to collaborate or learn more about our research?

In addition to our ongoing investment in research to support CBHRI and healthcare providers in addressing major health and societal challenges, we respond swiftly to both national and international research priorities.

In this section of our website, you can learn more about our current research projects. You will also find detailed information about other ongoing studies within our institute under the respective categories.

Are you interested in collaborating on one of our research topics? Feel free to contact us and explore how we can work together to contribute to innovative solutions for the future of healthcare.

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).

Strengthening Partnerships

 

CBHRI recognizes the importance of scientific collaborations between its laboratories and other scientists, and strongly encourages such collaborations as an essential part of scientific research. CBHRI laboratories may collaborate with colleagues at other non-profit or academic institutions and with colleagues at for-profit companies.

Conflict of interest issues may arise where a researcher has an equity interest in a company with which he or she is collaborating. If a laboratory head proposes to collaborate with a company in which he or she owns equity, CBHRI will consider whether it is appropriate for the researcher to engage in the collaboration while holding the equity interest.

The advisory board will be consulted in such cases. In evaluating these situations, CBHRI will consider such factors as the nature of the collaborative work, the significance of the collaboration to the company and to the laboratory, the amount of the equity interest, how large the company and whether it is publicly held, and how the equity was obtained.

Promoting Cross-Sector Collaborations to Advance Public Health in the Dutch Caribbean

At CBHRI, we believe that addressing complex public health challenges requires collaboration across sectors. By partnering with academia, government, private companies, and non-profits, we can create sustainable, impactful solutions for public health in the Dutch Caribbean.

Our research spans critical areas like infectious diseases, cancer, and social sciences, but collaboration accelerates the translation of these findings into real-world interventions. Through cross-sector partnerships, we exchange knowledge, drive innovation, and strengthen local scientific capacity.

Together, we can improve health outcomes and build a healthier, more resilient future for the Dutch Caribbean. Join us in our mission to make a lasting impact.

The Story behind our Logo

The Ants 🐜🐜🐜: A Symbol of Teamwork

Ants represent tireless teamwork, resilience, and dedication to the community. Just as ants work together for the good of their colony, CBHRI thrives on collaboration and shared efforts to achieve a healthier future for the Dutch Caribbean.

The Olive Tree: A Symbol of Growth and Wisdom

The olive tree stands for wisdom, strength, and flourishing growth. Its deep roots symbolize the strong foundation of CBHRI, and its branches represent our continuous development and contributions to public health research.

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

Ashley Duits

Ashley Duits

Co founder & Head of Immunology

E-mail

Specialized in immunology of infectious diseases and immunological & hematological aspects of sickle cell disease with special focus on angiognesis….

Read full bio..

Izzy Gerstenbluth

Izzy Gerstenbluth

Co founder & Head of Epidemiology

E-mail

Specialized in general public health, with a special focus on development of surveillance & monitoring systems….

Read full bio…

Byron Martina

Byron Martina

Co founder & Head of Virology

E-mail

Virologist – Specialized in ‘exotic viruses’ Dengue, Hanta, West Nile, Chikungunya, Rabies, Influenza, Mers-Coronanvirus and Enterovirus-71 infections….

Read full bio…

Tineke Alberts

Tineke Alberts

Head of Social Sciences

E-mail

Specialized in research on health services utilization and socioeconomic health inequalities…..

Read full bio…

John-John Schnog

John-John Schnog

Head of Oncology

E-mail

Oncologist/hematologist – Specialized in hematological cancers….

Read full bio…

EXPLORE OUR RESEARCH PROJECTS

Webinars, Latest News & Events

The CBHRI Webinars, Events, and Latest News page offers updates on biomedical research and healthcare innovation in the Dutch Caribbean. Discover insights from leading experts as they share developments, preventive strategies, and healthcare solutions tailored to the region. Interactive sessions and news updates provide valuable knowledge for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Stay connected and informed about advancements shaping health in the Dutch Caribbean.

Podcast

Latest Webinar

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

 

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!

 

Join us in making a difference. Contact us today and support our work for a healthier future.

OUR PARTNERS