Karolijn Dulfer is an assistant professor with a background in cognitive psychology, currently affiliated with the Department of Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Division of Pediatric Intensive Care, at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. As a principal investigator in the research line "Follow-up after Critical Illness," her work is dedicated to improving the neurocognitive and psychosocial outcomes of children who have experienced critical illness. Her research emphasizes the pivotal role of parents as the primary contextual factor in shaping their children's development, recognizing the profound impact of the family environment on recovery and long-term well-being.

In addition to her work in pediatric intensive care, Dr. Dulfer is an active member of the Research Management Team at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology at Erasmus Medical Center. In this capacity, she serves as the research coordinator for pediatric psychology, where she collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to advance the understanding and treatment of psychological and developmental challenges in children and adolescents.

Through her research, Dr. Dulfer aims to improve the quality of life for children recovering from critical illness, as well as provide support and strategies for their families to foster optimal developmental outcomes. Her work underscores the importance of integrated care that includes both medical and psychological perspectives to support the holistic well-being of critically ill children and their families.