René Medema was already involved in the Máxima Center as a member of the scientific advisory board as part of his role in the AVL/NKI. In 2021, he also chaired an external committee that assessed the scientific research in the Máxima Center. Medema sees room for the Máxima Center, after the initial growth of the research, to look at the people and culture in the organization in addition to the strategic goals. In the first months of his new position, he will spend time getting to know colleagues in the research, care and staff departments.
Prominent research group
The researchers in the Medema group, a prominent research group focused on genetic instability in cancer, are also moving from the NKI to the Máxima Center this week. By better understanding the impact of genetic instability, the group hopes to find weak spots in cancer cells that could serve as a target for therapy. In addition to continuing the ongoing research from the NKI, Medema sees opportunities for new collaborations within the Máxima Center. For example, in recent years his group has been working on so-called ecDNA, a variant of genetic instability that is common in childhood cancer.
Executive experience
Medema looks forward to starting in his new position. ‘The Princess Máxima Center is a young organization that has grown extremely fast from the start. After the start-up phase, this research hospital has proven its worth in terms of concentration and integration of care and research into childhood cancer. I look forward to using my executive experience in this next phase, in which we can consolidate growth and take time for the ‘soft’ side of the organization. We can also increasingly claim our position on an international level, and as a leading children's oncology center, make an impact on improving the survival of children with cancer in the Netherlands and beyond.’
Next step
The Supervisory Board of the Princess Máxima Center is very pleased to welcome a prominent researcher and leader of a renowned cancer institute such as René Medema as the successor to Alexander Eggermont. On behalf of the Supervisory Board, vice-chairman Barbara Fransen said at the time of Medema’s appointment: ‘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.’