Prof. dr. René Medema has an excellent scientific track record. He leads a prominent research group and has an extensive national and international network. He also has more than ten years of executive experience in a position with final responsibility as chairman of the board of the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek. Medema is very motivated to fulfill the administrative role in the Princess Máxima Center, he says. ‘It’s great to make a substantial contribution to further improving the prospects for children with cancer through scientific research.’ For himself, he sees an opportunity to focus on a new, still young organization in development after more than ten years of intensive management of a comparable organization.
Next step
The Supervisory Board of the Princess Máxima Center is very pleased to be able to appoint a prominent researcher and leader of a renowned cancer institute such as René Medema as successor to Alexander Eggermont. On behalf of the Supervisory Board, vice-chairman Barbara Fransen says: ‘After the intensive growth of the Princess Máxima Center in recent years, an impressive foundation has been built for childhood cancer research. Wonderful results have already been achieved, and the main goal is to cure every child with cancer with optimal quality of life. That mission continues to require the commitment and connection of all accumulated expertise. After Hans Clevers and Alexander Eggermont have brought the scientific institute to its current level, we believe that with René Medema, together with the current board members Rob Pieters and Gita Gallé, we can take the next step with the Princess Máxima Center.’
International ties
Eggermont's appointment as CSO of the Máxima Center will expire on 1 October 2023, after a four year term. A renowned expert in the field of international clinical trials for new cancer treatments, Eggermont was committed to strengthening the international ties of the Princess Máxima Center. Under his leadership, the Máxima Center started a Twinning Program with the Hopp-KiTZ in Heidelberg, Germany. This collaboration accelerates the development of better treatment options for children with cancer, particularly in the field of neuro-oncology. Research at the Princess Máxima Center has continued to grow under Eggermont’s leadership, with a focus on attracting new research groups and experts in the field of immunology and immunotherapy. Eggermont will stay at the Máxima Center as long as necessary, until the start of Medema.