“We focus on new methods to reliably predict human safety”
Anne Kienhuis appointed Professor of Toxicology in Transition
The Executive Board has appointed Anne Kienhuis as Professor of Toxicology in Transition at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University with effect from 1 June 2025. The chair contributes to various transitions in toxicology, such as the transition to animal-free innovations. “Our goal is to reliably assess the safety of chemical substances and pharmaceuticals without animal testing.”
With this chair, Anne Kienhuis would like to connect, integrate and translate innovations into new concepts that drive the transition in toxicology.
What does this appointment mean for you?
"I am thrilled to take on this role and to strengthen the long-standing collaboration between RIVM and IRAS accelerating transitions in toxicology. At RIVM, I bring my experience in transdisciplinary work at the intersection of science and policy. This chair enables the inclusion of even more perspectives from various scientific disciplines. Additionally, we will train a new generation of professionals by supervising PhD-candidates and students."
What do you think is the most important goal of the chair?
"The chair focuses on the transition towards a human-centered, animal-free risk assessment of chemical substances and pharmaceuticals. A key aspect of this is the development of new methods rooted in human biology. The great challenge lies in making these methods applicable for reliable risk assessments.
The societal drive makes working on animal-free innovations highly meaningful
The chair’s focus is not only on the technological development of new methods but also on increasing trust and acceptance among all involved parties. Social, institutional, and cultural factors play a crucial role in this. This is why we collaborate with various disciplines and sectors, such as scientists, regulatory authorities, industry, and society as a whole. The research conducted within this chair contributes to the actual application of new methods in toxicology and the broad stakeholder acceptance required to achieve this."
What is the societal relevance of this chair?
"There is a clear societal drive to accelerate the transition in toxicology. In the Netherlands the programme Transition to Animal-Free Innovations promotes the move towards animal-free research. In Europe, the European Commission, responding to a European Citizens' Initiative, is working with all involved parties to develop a roadmap for making chemical safety assessments animal-free. This makes working on this topic highly meaningful. This chair focuses on leveraging new methods to reliably predict human safety. In doing so, it contributes to societal impact by protecting public health and reducing animal testing."
Besides her professorship at Utrecht University, Kienhuis serves as senior scientist at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
Why are we doing this research at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine?
The health and welfare of animals, humans and the environment are inextricably connected. That's why we study these themes at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine from a broader perspective. In this way, we contribute to a better world.