Prof. Cisca Wijmenga named as KNAW member

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences(KNAW) has named Cisca Wijmenga, professor of human genetics at the University Medical Centre Groningen, as one of its new members. Each year the Academy names a maximum of 16 new members; this year there are 14 who will be officially invested on 10 September 2012 in the Trippenhuis of the Academy in Amsterdam.

Cisca Wijmenga (PhD) has been professor of human genetics at the University of Groningen since 2007and head of the Department of Genetics, UMCG. Her research aims to gain insight into the genes that play a role in the development of chronic diseases. Her research group is studying the genetics of inflammation-related disorders such as coeliac disease (gluten intolerance) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD, which include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) but also diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Her group have discovered several genes that play a role in the development of such immune-related diseases. This knowledge has led to new insights into the disease process, which may well lead to new methods of treatment for patients.

Membership of the Academy

Members of the Academy are leading scientists or academics from all disciplines. They are chosen from proposals submitted by Academy members and from the academic world. Membership is life-long. There are some 500 members in total.

More information

Personal webpage, her research

KNAW