Wilhelmus Kwanten was born in the Netherlands and completed his medical studies at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Following his medical training, he obtained a PhD focused on the role of hepatocellular autophagy in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, USA. After completing his residency training, he became a medical specialist in 2020.
He is currently working as a hepatologist-pancreatologist at Antwerp University Hospital (UZA). This tertiary referral centre is recognised as a leading hepatology reference centre, participates in numerous international academic collaborations, and is at the forefront of research and clinical care in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). He is also affiliated with the University of Antwerp as an Assistant Professor.
His research focuses on MASLD and encompasses both clinical and translational/basic science research. His specific interests include the role of the intrahepatic microvasculature in the pathophysiology of MASLD, as well as the effects of the disease on the portal and systemic vasculature.