Niels Bal is a PhD researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the department of health sciences. His research regards the quantitative study of disease syndemics, with a particular focus on methodological advancements. An exercise therapist by training, Niels obtained his master’s degree in health sciences in 2020, with a specialization in international public health. Besides his research activities, Niels teaches epidemiology and (bio)statistics courses at both bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.