Recently, several prestigious prizes and grants have been awarded to our AI&I members. Learn more about these accomplished individuals and their projects in the article below!
Royal Honour – Prof. Dr. Esther Middelkoop
On Friday, 31 October 2025, Prof. Dr. Esther Middelkoop was appointed Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau by Amstelveen’s mayor, Tjapko Poppens. The royal honour was presented at her farewell as Professor of Skin Regeneration and Wound Healing at Amsterdam UMC, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to medical science, burn care, and society.
Pioneering burn and scar research
For over thirty years, Prof. Middelkoop has been a leading figure in research on burns and scar healing. Her groundbreaking work in tissue-engineered skin led to the development of artificial skin now used worldwide. Thanks to her innovations, patients, especially children, can recover faster, better, and with improved cosmetic outcomes after severe burns.
International recognition
Prof. Middelkoop began her impressive career in 1996 at the Burn Center of the Red Cross Hospital in Beverwijk. Under her inspiring leadership, a modest research team grew into a national center of expertise. She united the three Dutch burn centers into one powerful organization: the Association of Dutch Burn Centers, and ensured that “Dutch Burn Care” became an internationally recognized quality label. Internationally, Prof. Middelkoop is a respected speaker, author, and leader, serving as co-founder of the Global Scar Society and co-editor of the standard Textbook on Scar Management.
Scientist and connector
Prof. Middelkoop is described not only as a world-class scientist but also as a true connector. She succeeded in bridging the gap between academia and clinical practice, and her chair at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam became a platform for inspiration, mentorship, and innovation for many PhD students.
'I am truly grateful for all the opportunities that I have had in my career, and all the wonderful people I have been able to work with. Helping young researchers in their first steps of an academic career has been very inspiring for me. And ultimately, I am of course proud that we have been able to make a difference for people with burns. The work to improve their treatment will continue.'
Esther Middelkoop
Professor of Skin Regeneration and Wound Healing at Amsterdam UMC
Photo credits: Nederlandse Brandwonden Stichting
Source: Koninklijke Onderscheiding voor Esther Middelkoop - mijn Amstelveen
Master of the ACR – Prof. Dr. Ronald van Vollenhoven
Prof. Dr. Ronald van Vollenhoven, Professor of Rheumatology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam, has been named Master of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). This honorary title is one of the highest distinctions awarded by the renowned professional society, recognizing exceptional contributions to the field of rheumatology. This award is given to non-US rheumatologists only on rare occasions, which makes this achievement even more special.
Recognition and new opportunities
While the distinction primarily honors Prof. van Vollenhoven’s past achievements, he sees it as a strong encouragement to continue his work in studying and improving treatments for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). He notes that new insights are emerging, promising better therapies for patients, and he is committed to contributing to these advances.
Prof. van Vollenhoven emphasizes the importance of international collaboration in driving innovation and progress in rheumatology. He believes that recognition from the ACR will open doors to new partnerships and joint research efforts, helping to catalyze important advances in the coming years.
Research and clinical goals
Looking ahead, Prof. van Vollenhoven’s research will focus on evaluating advanced therapies for RA and SLE. This includes both the development of entirely new treatments and optimizing the use of existing medications. He anticipates that several new therapies will become available in the near future and sees it as his challenge to determine how best to integrate these into daily clinical practice for the benefit of patients.
A leader in rheumatology research
In addition to his academic roles, Prof. van Vollenhoven is also active at Reade, Amsterdam’s center of expertise for rheumatology and rehabilitation. His research focuses on optimizing treatment strategies for RA and SLE, aiming to improve patient outcomes through innovative and personalized approaches.
Photo credits: Gillissen