Fokla Zorgdrager

Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam

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About

Fokla Zorgdrager is a molecular epidemiologist whose research focuses on the evolutionary dynamics and clinical impact of HIV-1, with a particular emphasis on viral virulence and transmission. Her most cited work, "From clinical sample to complete genome: Comparing methods for the extraction of HIV-1 RNA for high-throughput deep sequencing" (2016, 25 citations), is a foundational methodological contribution to the BEEHIVE (Bridging the Evolution and Epidemiology of HIV in Europe) project. This ambitious initiative aims to analyze nearly-complete viral genomes from over 3,000 HIV-1 infected individuals across Europe, using high-throughput deep sequencing to investigate the genetic determinants of viral virulence. Zorgdrager’s critical comparison of RNA extraction methods directly enabled the reliable generation of large-scale genomic data, laying the technical groundwork for subsequent discoveries about how viral genetics influence disease progression. Her work bridges the gap between clinical samples and high-resolution genomic analysis, providing essential tools for understanding HIV evolution and pathogenesis. Through her contributions to BEEHIVE, Zorgdrager has helped shape a landmark resource for studying the interplay between viral genetics and clinical outcomes, making her a key figure in the field of HIV molecular epidemiology.