
Piet Cools
Piet Cools
Academic & Researcher | Women’s Health Advocate | Vaginal Microbiome and Sexually Transmitted Infections Expert
Dr. Piet Cools is an esteemed academic and researcher affiliated with Ghent University, Belgium. With over a decade of experience, his work focuses on advancing women’s health through groundbreaking research on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), vaginal microbiota, and innovative diagnostic tools. Driven by a passion for improving reproductive health outcomes, Dr. Cools has played a pivotal role in projects aiming to tackle bacterial vaginosis and other genital tract infections in sub-Saharan Africa through better understanding, molecular diagnostics and alternative treatmentss
Dr. Cools’ expertise lies in studying the vaginal microbiome, with a particular interest in the role of Lactobacillus iners and Gardnerella species in bacterial vaginosis. He is committed to developing new methods for culturing “unculturable” BV-associated species and validating rapid diagnostics to address clinical challenges in vaginitis. Additionally, he leads efforts to understand resistance at both the isolate/species and microbiome levels.
As a dedicated advocate for global maternal and neonatal health, Dr. Cools has been instrumental in building capacity in low-resource settings, fostering collaborations with African institutions, and mentoring the next generation of researchers.
Dr. Cools is a prolific contributor to peer-reviewed literature and a sought-after speaker at international conferences. His work is characterized by a commitment to translating scientific knowledge into real-world solutions, ensuring equitable access to healthcare innovations for underserved populations.