Background
Harmen is a PhD candidate at the Division of Imaging and Oncology at the University Medical Centre Utrecht. His research focuses on palliative and multidisciplinary treatments, as well as improving the quality of life for patients with spinal metastases. He serves as the coordinator of the BLEND trial, for which he conducts a health technology assessment (HTA) to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and budget impact. Prior to his current role, Harmen conducted research at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School within the Skeletal Oncology Research Group (SORG). His work there focused on developing predictive models for survival and quality of life in patients with spinal metastases.

In addition to his research, Harmen is in the final year of medical school. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Utrecht University and has specialized training in applied biostatistics and machine learning for predictive modeling.

Projects

Most recent publications

  • B.J.J. Bindels, R.H. Kuijten, O.Q. Groot, E.H. Huele, R. Gal, M.C.H. Groot, J.M. Velden, D. Delawi, J.H. Schwab, H.M. Verkooijen, J.J. Verlaan, D. Tobert, and J.P.H.J. Rutges. External validation of 12 existing survival prediction models for patients with spinal metastases. The Spine Journal, 2025.
  • Rene Harmen Kuijten, Bas Bindels, Olivier Groot, Eline Huele, Roxanne Gal, Mark Groot, Joanne Velden, Diyar Delawi, Joseph Schwab, Helena Verkooijen, Jorrit Jan Verlaan, Daniel Tobert, and Joost Rutges. Predicting quality of life of patients after treatment for spinal metastatic disease: development and internal evaluation. The Spine Journal, 2025.
  • Daniël C. Reus, René Harmen Kuijten, Priyanshu Saha, Diego A. Abelleyra Lastoria, Aliénor Warr-Esser, Charles F.C. Taylor, Olivier Q. Groot, Darren Lui, Jorrit-Jan Verlaan, and Daniel G. Tobert. External validation of a machine learning prediction model for massive blood loss during surgery for spinal metastases: a multi-institutional study using 880 patients. The Spine Journal, 2025.

Keywords: Spinal Metastases | Palliative Treatment | Applied Biostatistics | Machine Learning for Predictive Modeling

Social media and other resources
Email: r.h.kuijten-2@umcutrecht.nl | ORCiD | ResearchGate | LinkedIn