PhD student
Dario De Smet, MSc
My academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Antwerp, which I completed in 2022. Driven by a deep passion for scientific research and working closely with people, I pursued a master's degree in Biomedical Sciences, specializing in Clinical Scientific Research, from which I successfully graduated in 2024.
During my master's thesis at LEIA, I explored the intriguing yet poorly understood neuro-vestibular disorder ‘Mal de Débarquement Syndrome’ (MdDS). My thesis involved conducting a proof-of-concept clinical trial to investigate the potential effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on symptom management in MdDS patients, as well as the assessment of the safety and feasibility of this technique.
My growing interest in vestibular disorders, and the innovative research being conducted by the LEIA team motivated me to pursue a PhD and extend my academic career. During my doctoral research, I want to unravel the role of hormones and hormonal fluctuations in MdDS symptoms, as well as understanding how hormonal phases influence treatment effectiveness. Additionally, building further on my master's thesis, I will evaluate whether GVS can be developed as an alternative treatment option for MdDS patients, addressing the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. Lastly, one of my key objectives throughout my PhD trajectory is to increase the awareness of MdDS, ensuring that people suffering from this disorder receive the recognition, attention, correct diagnosis, and treatment they deserve.
