Anouk Hiensch has a background in Health Sciences (BSc) and Epidemiology (MSc, with distiction). From 2017-2021, she conducted her PhD on the effects of exercise in patients with cancer and its underlying mechanisms, at the University Medical Center Utrecht, Julius Center. After completing her PhD, Anouk continued working at the Julius Center. 

Her research focuses on elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the beneficial effects of exercise in patients with cancer. Understanding the (patho)physiology is crucial to counteract the detrimental effects of cancer treatment. To get insight in part of the underlying mechanisms, she recently obtained a Boost-grand and an investigator initiated grant from WCRF. 

She is the scientific coordinator of two international exercise-oncology trials: PREFERABLE (H2020-funded) and PREFERABLE-II (Horizon Europe funded). She is also involved in national exercise-oncology trials, including PERFECT (completed), RADICES and SICILY. Anouk was involved in the development of a website for patients and healthcare providers about exercise and cancer (Bewegen-en-kanker-info). Furthermore, she joined the Roparun twice and cycled the Alpe d’Huez to raise money for cancer research (motto: Practice what you Preach).

Finally, Anouk serves in international webinar and educational committees, including the Cancer Cachexia Society Education Committee and International Society of Exercise Oncology webinar committee.