The Executive Board of UMC Utrecht has appointed Leonard van den Berg and Marianne Verhaar as Clinical Faculty Professors. This honorary new role recognizes clinically active professors with an exceptional track record. The appointment comes with funding that allows them to spend more time on research.
Prof. Dr. Leonard van den Berg (neurologist) and Prof. Dr. Marianne Verhaar (nephrologist) both have an impressive, long-standing record of internationally leading and clinically relevant research, in line with UMC Utrecht’s Connecting Worlds strategy.
For many years, Marianne Verhaar has distinguished herself with her pioneering work on better alternatives to dialysis and kidney transplantation. Her ultimate goal is to develop an implantable kidney using the patient’s own cells to restore kidney function. Although this is still a future ambition, Marianne has made significant progress as a nephrologist, professor, and scientific director of the strategic research program Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells. Last year, her work was recognized with a prestigious NWO Summit Grant for DRIVE-RM. Over the next 10 years, this consortium will focus on advancing materials-driven regeneration to better treat chronic diseases, including kidney failure.
As Professor of Experimental Neurology and coordinator of the ALS Center, Leonard van den Berg has long been committed to improving diagnostics, treatment, and research for ALS. He chairs the European Network to Cure ALS (ENCALS) and was one of the founders of the global genetics research initiative Project MinE. He has also led several European research projects. In 2019, he established TRICALS, bringing together researchers, patients, and pharmaceutical companies to make clinical trials more efficient and accessible, with the ultimate aim of making ALS a treatable disease.
UMC Utrecht aims to excel in clinically relevant research that improves daily practice in its strategic research programs. To support this goal, clinicians who combine care, management, and teaching with excellent clinical research are encouraged and enabled to make a difference through their work. The Executive Board has therefore provided stimulus funding for three clinically active professors to devote more time to internationally leading research.
Clinical Faculty Professors can allocate an additional 40% of their time to clinical research. Alongside Marianne and Leonard, there is room for one more Clinical Faculty Professor. In the first quarter of 2025, in collaboration with the divisions and strategic research programs, a third candidate will be selected.
