Sarah Hak is a pediatric resident at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. She obtained her medical degree from Utrecht University in 2020. Following this, she combined her clinical work with a PhD trajectory focused on the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in both young children and older adults, as well as on novel preventive RSV interventions. She completed her PhD in April 2025 and will defend her thesis in June 2025. Throughout her PhD track, Sarah placed strong emphasis on science communication, driven by the belief that impactful research should extend beyond academia and reach the wider public. In both her research and clinical practice, she is particularly committed to translating complex scientific information into clear, practical messages for patients, parents, and healthcare providers. She has also initiated several projects aimed at strengthening vaccine confidence.
