Senior Researcher | Social Sciences

Elly Hellings, a researcher at CBHRI, specializes in youth development, community development, education, and health. With a background in sociology and communication science, she has led numerous projects, including SONORO, COVIDCAS, and GGZ-Carib, focusing on vulnerable groups in Curaçao and Dutch Caribbean.

Senior Researcher | Social Sciences

Merel Griffith-Lendering, a researcher at CBHRI, specializes in health psychology and community development. Born and raised in Curaçao, she earned her PhD from Leiden University in 2013. Since 2010, Merel has been involved in research projects across the CAS and BES islands, focusing on topics such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), poverty, education, domestic violence, and parenting. She is known for her ability to translate data into practical insights, developing tools like reports, factsheets, and online databases to support professionals and organizations in the Dutch Caribbean.

Project Manager | Capital Management Office

Eurydice Martina leads the Capital Management Office (CMO) at the Curaçao Biomedical & Health Research Institute (CBHRI). With a background in biomedical sciences, her expertise includes research funding, grant development, capital management, and project management. At CBHRI, she supports the development and funding of research projects, coordinates grant applications, and facilitates partnerships with funding agencies, foundations, donors, and collaborating organizations.

Dr. Tineke Alberts, Head of the Department of Social Sciences at CBHRI, has extensive expertise in health research, focusing on topics like AIDS prevention, obesity, and health service utilization. She has led numerous health studies across the Caribbean and contributed to health policy development in Curaçao.

Prof. Dr. Ashley Duits leads the Department of immunology at the Curaçao Biomedical & Health Research Institute. He specializes in immunology and hematology, with a research focus on sickle cell disease, HIV, and viral infections like Chikungunya and Zika. His work addressed important health challenges in Curaçao and the wider Caribbean region.

Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth leads the Department of Epidemiology and serves as the Executive Director of the Curaçao Biomedical & Health Research Institute. He specializes in communicable and non-communicable disease surveillance, with a focus on public health systems, chronic diseases, and outbreak management in Curaçao and the Dutch Caribbean. As National Epidemiologist, he has led groundbreaking health studies and initiatives to combat HIV, obesity, vector-borne diseases, and health inequities.

Prof. Dr. Byron Martina leads the Department of Virology at the Curaçao Biomedical & Health Research Institute. His research focuses on the pathogenesis of emerging viruses and the development of intervention strategies for infectious diseases, including dengue, Chikungunya, and SARS-Coronavirus. He is involved in international research collaborations in virology and vaccine development.

Dr. J. Schnog leads the Department of Oncology at Curaçao Biomedical & Health Research Institute. He specializes in hematology and oncology, with a particular focus on sickle cell disease. He is a practicing oncologist at Curacao Medical Center in Curaçao and has extensive experience in clinical and fundamental research.

Prof. Dr. Jamiu Busari leads the Department of Medical Education and Quality of Care at the Curaçao Biomedical & Health Research Institute (CBHRI). He specializes in medical education, healthcare quality, and professional development, with a focus on competency-based education, equity, diversity and inclusion, and innovation in healthcare.