In her day-to-day work, Dr Sadaf Soloukey, a doctor, neuroscientist and philosopher, focuses on the brain. Through her research, she is making blood vessels more visible during brain surgery using a new, ultra-fast ultrasound technique. She has also written a children’s book that explains how the brain works in a playful way. During the Dies Natalis on 9 November 2026, Soloukey received the Erasmus Research Prize 2026 for her impressive research achievements.
Dr Sadaf Soloukey’s research focuses on the development of ultra-fast ultrasound to visualise tiny blood vessels in the human brain. With this new form of neurotechnology, the neuroscientist aims to help make brain tumour surgery safer. For example, the technique provides a clearer picture of where healthy, functional brain tissue ends and the tumour begins. The hope is that this will enable the neurosurgeon of the future to make more informed decisions about where to cut and where not to.
One of the most recent discoveries from her lab shows that a technique called functional ultrasound imaging (fUSi) can be used to mimic a sort of portable fMRI scanner. This technique enables researchers and doctors to measure brain activity in patients who are not lying flat, as they would in an fMRI scanner, but whilst engaged in activities involving a great deal of movement. Such as a walk through the library.
According to the jury, Soloukey’s work has played a crucial role in the clinical development of ultrasound technology, leading to worldwide recognition for her pioneering work. The jury also commends her for the publication of her children’s book entitled "Darya en de denkmachine" (Darya and the Thinking Machine): 'With this, she demonstrates her ability to explain the complex processes in our brains in a way that appeals to children,' according to the jury report.
Scientific research and patient care
As a neuroscientist and neurosurgeon in training, Soloukey combines scientific research with patient care. She acknowledges that juggling both research and patient care can be challenging. 'It’s a shame there are only 24 hours in a day. I’d love to be able to use those hours twice over.'
Soloukey is delighted to have won the Research Prize: 'For me, the prize is recognition of the importance of continuing to push for the integration of technology and clinical practice. Not just for me personally, but also for our entire, fantastic research team at the BrainEcho Lab, who work on this every day. I am convinced that, together, we will be able to make enormous discoveries about the brain in the near future. And that, in doing so, we will also find ways to treat brain diseases more effectively,' she emphasises.
A children’s book about how the brain works
As well as her work as a researcher, Soloukey frequently encounters questions about how the brain works in her role as a doctor. This inspired her to write the children’s book "Darya en de denkmachine". The book follows Darya, a Persian girl, as she embarks on a wonderfully magical journey through the brain together with Curio, the little walnut man.
Soloukey: 'Children are brilliant at asking questions, sometimes to the point of absurdity. I really enjoy that. As a scientist, I find it a fun challenge to explain difficult topics such as brain anatomy and brain diseases in a way that a child can understand. Combined with my love of writing, this led to the creation of my children’s book.'
About Sadaf Soloukey
Dr Sadaf Soloukey has been a neurosurgeon in training at Erasmus MC since 2025 and, since 2026, has also been an Assistant Professor one day a week. Between 2016 and 2023, she obtained four master’s degrees, two at Erasmus University Rotterdam and two at Erasmus MC. She undertook some of her master’s programmes alongside her PhD research, which she completed cum laude at Erasmus MC in 2023.
About the Research Prize
The Research Prize is awarded to a promising researcher who obtained her/his doctorate degree within the last three years, or a research group, at Erasmus University Rotterdam, that has performed exceptional research at our university. The Research Prize is made possible by the Erasmus Trustfonds.
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