Prof. Dr. Matthijs Verhage Honored with the 2025 Innovative Research Award

04 August 2025

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Dr. Matthijs Verhage, head of the department of Functional Genomics and a founder of the European STXBP1 Consortium (ESCO), has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Innovative Research Award by the STXBP1 Foundation.

This prestigious award is bestowed upon individuals whose groundbreaking scientific contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of STXBP1-related disorders. Prof. Verhage’s long-standing dedication to translational research has been instrumental in uncovering critical disease mechanisms in SNAREopathies, particularly STXBP1. His tireless efforts have not only expanded our scientific knowledge but also paved the way for potential new therapies, offering hope to countless families affected by these conditions.

We are incredibly proud to have Prof. Verhage’s expertise and leadership within the STXBP1 community. His work continues to inspire progress and innovation in the field of rare disease research.

While Prof. Verhage was unable to attend this year’s STXBP1 Summit + Family Meeting in Colorado organized by the STBPX1 Foundation, they celebrated his achievements with a special award ceremony. A short acceptance video from Prof. Verhage was shared during the event, which allowed the attendees to honor his remarkable accomplishments and contributions to the field.

Please join us in congratulating Prof. Verhage on this well-deserved recognition. His passion and dedication to advancing the understanding of STXBP1-related disorders have made a profound impact on both the scientific community and families worldwide.

Acceptance video of Innovative Research Award by Verhage lab.