Tom obtained an M.D. and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the KU Leuven (Belgium). He received graduate training in the lab of Philip Joris at the KU Leuven. After graduating as a clinical neurologist at the University Hospitals Leuven, he pursued postdoctoral training in the lab of John Reynolds at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
Selected honors and awards
2020-2025, K99/R00 Pathway To Independence Award (National Eye Institute at NIH)
2018-2020, NARSAD Young Investigator Grant (Brain & Behavior Research Foundation)
2017-2018, Innovative Research Grant (Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind; co-PI with John Reynolds)
2017-2020, Research Fellowship from the George E. Hewitt Foundation for Medical Research
2017, Marie-Skłodowska Curie Global Fellowship (European Commission; not accepted because of overlap with Hewitt Foundation fellowship)
2017, Acoustical Society of America Travel Award
2016-2017, Emile Boulpaep Fellow (Belgian American Educational Foundation)
2015, Trainee Professional Development Award (Society for Neuroscience)
2010-2014, Ph. D. fellowship (Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO))