Lisa Laforce-van Lierop, Class of '26

Optimizing advanced therapies in inflammatory bowel disease: balancing evidence and real-world care

Born in the Netherlands, Lisa Laforce-van Lierop developed an early interest in understanding complex health conditions and how they are treated in clinical settings. That curiosity has now culminated in a PhD in Medicine from the University of Alberta, where she worked under the supervision of Dr. Frank Hoentjen in the Division of Gastroenterology.

Her doctoral research focused on one of the most challenging aspects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care: how to optimize advanced therapies over time in clinical practice.

Bridging clinical trials and real-world care

Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is highly variable. Patients often respond differently to the same treatments, and disease activity can fluctuate unpredictably over time. While clinical trials are essential for establishing whether a therapy works under controlled conditions, they do not always reflect how treatments are adjusted in everyday clinical practice.

Lisa’s thesis, Optimizing Advanced Therapy Strategies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, addressed this gap by examining how advanced therapies are used, modified, and sustained in real-world settings.

Her research looked at how established treatments for inflammatory bowel disease work in everyday clinical practice, not just in controlled clinical trials. In particular, she studied how well upadacitinib works in people with hard-to-treat Crohn’s disease, whether increasing the dose of ustekinumab can improve outcomes in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis, and whether it is safe and effective to reduce the dosing frequency of adalimumab in Crohn’s disease.

Across these studies, she evaluated long-term effectiveness, safety outcomes, and treatment persistence, critical factors in guiding how clinicians tailor therapies over time.

Research grounded in collaboration and real-world complexity

A defining feature of Lisa’s graduate experience was the collaborative nature of her research. Working across multiple centres and teams, she found that successful research depended as much on communication and coordination as it did on data analysis.

Reflecting on this, she noted: “Successful research is as much about managing people as it is about managing data.” She emphasized that clarity and consistency were essential when working across diverse collaborators with different priorities and timelines.

She also highlighted the importance of interpersonal awareness in academic work, adding, “Being attentive to colleagues’ motivations, pressures, and working styles helped build trust and made collaboration smoother and more enjoyable.”

Presenting research nationally and internationally

Throughout her PhD, Lisa shared her work at multiple conferences and research meetings, reflecting both the breadth and impact of her research program. Highlights include presentations at:

• Canadian Digestive Disease Week (CDDW) in Toronto and Halifax
• European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) Congress in Berlin
• Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in Chicago
• Division of Gastroenterology Research Day at the University of Alberta
• Department of Medicine's Me2 Majumdar Research and QI Day at the University of Alberta

Her presentations included both oral and poster formats, covering topics such as real-world outcomes of advanced IBD therapies and long-term treatment strategies in inflammatory bowel disease.

Awards and recognition

Lisa’s doctoral work was supported by a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, and competitive awards, reflecting sustained academic excellence throughout her graduate training. Notable recognitions include:

• Nomination for the Governor General’s Gold Medal (2026)
• Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES)
• Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry 75th Anniversary Award
• Multiple Graduate Students’ Association Travel Grants
• ECCO and international travel bursaries
• NACTRC Summer Studentship Awards (as supervisor)

These accolades highlight both her research productivity and her engagement in the broader scientific community.

Her research has also resulted in a substantial body of peer-reviewed publications and abstracts spanning IBD therapeutics, clinical outcomes, and healthcare utilization, contributing to evidence that informs gastroenterology practice. 

Inspiration and mentorship

Lisa encourages incoming graduate students to invest time early in truly understanding their field. “Don’t rush into analyses or writing; invest early in getting deeply familiar with the literature.” 

She adds that research success depends heavily on persistence and collaboration. “Stay curious, be patient with the process, and don’t be afraid to revisit and refine your ideas.”

Throughout her training, Lisa has been particularly inspired by her supervisor, Dr. Frank Hoentjen. She credits him not only for his expertise in inflammatory bowel disease but also for his ability to translate complex clinical questions into meaningful, patient-centred research.

His mentorship (of scientific rigour, clinical insight, and a supportive academic environment) has shaped how she approaches both research and patient care.

Looking ahead

Following the completion of her PhD, Lisa will begin Internal Medicine residency at the University of Alberta, continuing her path in clinical medicine with a strong foundation in research and evidence-based care.

Outside the lab and clinic, Lisa finds balance in the Alberta Rockies, where skiing has been her favourite way to recharge during graduate studies.