Wednesday, April 9, 2025
The collaborative partnership Medical Delta has appointed seven new professors and two lecturers as Medical Delta professors. The official inauguration took place on April 8 in Delft. These appointments highlight the collaboration in the field of innovation and health between universities and universities of applied sciences in Zuid-Holland.
The Medical Delta professors have distinguished themselves through their research and as individuals who connect research institutes and scientific disciplines, and bridge the gap between science and practice. The official title ‘Medical Delta professor’ is not only a form of recognition; for at least five years, the professors will actively serve as ambassadors for advancing transdisciplinary collaboration in the fields of health, innovation, and implementation. Additionally, the professors hold multiple appointments at the nine affiliated academic institutions and universities of applied sciences.
Click here for an overview of the nine Medical Delta professors and their research (in Dutch).
Appointments representative of new direction
Medical Delta appoints new Medical Delta professors each year. The 2025 appointments align with the strategy and programming of the Zuid-Holland collaboration, which was launched at the end of last year.
Where Medical Delta began nearly twenty years ago as a collaboration between medical science and technical studies, it has since expanded to encompass health and innovation, with a focus on areas such as prevention, transformation, and greener healthcare. With innovative and sustainable solutions, Medical Delta aims to help keep healthcare accessible, adequately staffed, and affordable.
“For that reason, the collaboration has also deepened. Whereas the focus used to be on breaking through walls between scientific disciplines, we now place even greater emphasis on involving healthcare practice in research, innovation, and implementation,” says Medical Delta chair Prof. Dr. Frank Willem Jansen. “The new group of Medical Delta professors are therefore a reflection of this shift toward greater transdisciplinary collaboration.”
Among the 2025 group are fundamental researchers in medical sciences and technology, as well as researchers working within the social sciences and architecture. “It is precisely these combinations and cross-connections that characterize Medical Delta,” says Jansen. “Complex health challenges require an approach where collaboration and the pooling of knowledge and expertise are essential. These new Medical Delta professors will help lead the way.”
Foto's: Medical Delta / Frank de Roo
About Medical Delta
Medical Delta is a transdisciplinary collaboration of more than 1,000 participants from Erasmus University, Erasmus MC, TU Delft, LUMC, Leiden University, and four universities of applied sciences in Zuid-Holland (The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Leiden University of Applied Sciences, and Inholland University of Applied Sciences). Together with companies, healthcare institutions, and government bodies, they work on innovative solutions for sustainable healthcare. Medical Delta achieves this, among other things, through transdisciplinary research programs and practice-oriented living labs. In this way, Medical Delta serves as the hub in the innovation and healthcare ecosystem in Zuid-Holland and beyond.
Medical Delta was founded in 2006 by the three universities (TU Delft, Leiden University, and Erasmus University Rotterdam) and the two university medical centres (LUMC and Erasmus MC) in the province of Zuid-Holland. Since 2016, four universities of applied sciences from the province have also joined.
Medical Delta professors 2025
Prof. Dr. Ir. Machiel van Dorst (TU Delft – Architecture; Leiden University – Faculty of Social Sciences) – Professor of Environment, Behavior, and Design at the Faculty of Architecture at TU Delft, researches the interaction between environment, behavior, urban design, and landscape design.
Prof. Dr. Robbert Gobbens (Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Tilburg University) – Lecturer in Health and Well-being of Vulnerable Elderly. Initiated by Zonnehuisgroep Amstelland, Gobbens conducts practice-oriented research on learning and improvement by professionals, aiming to enhance the quality of life of vulnerable elderly people.
Prof. Dr. Ineke van der Ham (Leiden University – Faculty of Social Sciences; TU Delft – Architecture) – Professor of Technological Innovations in Neuropsychology at Leiden University, researches spatial thinking in physical and virtual environments.
Prof. Dr. Arfan Ikram (Erasmus MC; LUMC) – Professor of Epidemiology at Erasmus Medical Center, focuses on neurological disorders such as dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, and healthy brain aging.
Prof. Dr. Remi Nout (Erasmus MC; TU Delft – Mechanical Engineering) – Professor of Radiotherapy at Erasmus Medical Center, works on connecting radiotherapy with engineering sciences.
Dr. Suzan van der Pas (Leiden University of Applied Sciences; LUMC) – Lecturer in Social Innovation at Leiden University of Applied Sciences and Program Leader of the Social Domain Workstation in The Hague & Leiden. She is also an Associate Professor at Leiden University Medical Center. Dr. Van der Pas focuses on social innovation and governance of health and well-being, with or without a focus on the elderly. She works on developing and implementing innovative practices for care and welfare professionals, emphasizing collaboration among professionals to promote the inclusion and participation of citizens.
Prof. Dr. Daniël Pijnappels (LUMC; TU Delft – EWI) – Professor of Cellular Electrophysiology and Head of the Laboratory for Experimental Cardiology at LUMC, integrates new biology with technology to better understand and treat heart diseases.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Erik van Raaij (Erasmus University Rotterdam – ESHPM and RSM; TU Delft – Industrial Design) – Professor of Sustainable Procurement in Healthcare at Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management and Rotterdam School of Management, focuses on sustainability, healthcare procurement, and purchasing management.
Prof. Dr. Judith Rietjens (TU Delft – Industrial Design; Erasmus MC; Leiden University – Faculty of Social Sciences) – Professor of Design for Public Health at the Faculty of Industrial Design at TU Delft and also affiliated with the Department of Public Health at Erasmus MC. Professor Rietjens focuses on promoting person-centered and sustainable care.
Click here for a more detailed profile overview of the nine Medical Delta professors and lecturers and their research.
