Dr. Roos Masereeuw appointed Professor of Experimental Pharmacology

Utrecht University has appointed Dr. Roos Masereeuw as Professor of Experimental Pharmacology at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS). Prof. Masereeuw is an expert in the field of renal pharmacology. She leads her field internationally with her research into a bioartificial kidney. Her addition to the faculty will be a major reinforcement to pharmacological research within Utrecht Life Sciences.

For the past few years, Dr. Roos Masereeuw (1967) has been a University Lecturer and Head of the Organismal Pharmacology group at Radboud UMC. She conducts fundamental research into the transport of medication and waste substances through the kidneys and the mechanisms of kidney tissue recovery after damage.

Regenerative Medicine

Prof. Masereeuw is also extremely interested in research into Regenerative Medicine, which is one of the priorities within Utrecht Life Sciences. “I see a big future ahead for regenerative medicine in pharmacology as well. It would be wonderful if we could offer a regenerative therapy for chronic diseases, instead of a lifetime use of medication.”

Biological artificial kidney

The bioartificial kidney that Masereeuw is working on is a first step in that direction. It involves kidney cells grown on a dialysis membrane. These cells are able to excrete endogenous waste molecules out of the blood that cannot be removed with dialysis therapy. Today, these molecules remain in the blood and gradually accumulate, eventually resulting in many disturbances including cardiovascular problems. Every year, one out of six dialysis patients dies from complications associated with kidney failure.

Curriculum

Masereeuw started her education with the Pharmaceutical Sciences study programme at Utrecht University, but transferred to Bio-pharmaceutical Sciences in Leiden after her first year because she wanted to focus on scientific research. Her Master’s research in Leiden earned her the Organon Research Prize for undergraduate students. After she obtained her PhD in Nijmegen, she began working as an assistant professor and later associate professor at Radboud UMC, where she taught courses in several (bio-)medical study programmes. Among her other duties, she currently acts as the President of the Netherlands Association for Pharmacology. In 2009, Masereeuw received the NVF Schering-Plough Pharmacology Award for her research, followed by the Galenus Research Prize in 2010.