Professor Pieter Hiemstra appointed professor emeritus
Pieter Hiemstra, Professor of Respiratory Cell Biology and Immunology at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and head of the PulmoScience Lab in Leiden, has officially retired and been appointed Professor Emeritus. Throughout his years as a professor, he made significant contributions to the field of lung research and to Longfonds.
Career
Pieter Hiemstra studied Medical Biology at Utrecht University and earned his PhD in Immunology at the LUMC. He subsequently worked in the Department of Infectious Diseases and completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Hiemstra's research has focused on both fundamental and translational studies into COPD, asthma, and lung cancer. He was known for explaining complex topics in accessible language. His particular interest lies in the interaction between immune cells and structural cells in the lungs - an essential aspect of understanding how inflammation leads to airway remodeling and reduced lung function. His fundamental research concentrated especially on the role of innate immunity.
Dedication to Longfonds
For Longfonds, Pieter Hiemstra served as an ambassador who helped open doors to collaboration with both national and international researchers.
From 2008 to 2019, Hiemstra served on Longfonds’ Scientific Advisory Committee (WAC), the last six years as its chair. He fulfilled this role with great integrity, becoming a key advisor to Longfonds on research policy. During this time, he played a pivotal role in launching LONGFONDS | Accelerate. His collaborative and connecting approach was instrumental in initiating this ambitious effort.
In 2012, Pieter Hiemstra was one of the founding members of the Dutch Lung Congress, a scientific conference for healthcare professionals, researchers, the general public, and individuals with lung disease. Under his leadership, the Dutch Lung Congress grew into a major event, drawing more than 1,200 attendees.
As a researcher, he was involved in many studies funded by Longfonds. He investigated the role of epithelial cells in asthma and was an early contributor to the development of the lung-on-a-chip. These important studies significantly advanced our understanding of lung diseases and improved methods for studying them.
Giving Patients a Voice
Pieter Hiemstra has always emphasized the importance of patient participation. During meetings, he made sure that individuals with lived experience had a voice. He also dedicated time and energy to mentoring young research talent, supporting many early-career scientists. A great example is Hermelijn Smits, who is now a professor at LUMC.
In addition to his academic achievements, Pieter Hiemstra is an avid cyclist. In 2017, he participated in the Dam tot Dam Fietsclassic to support Longfonds.
We thank Pieter for his tireless dedication to the field of lung research, his deep commitment to Longfonds, and above all for the wonderful collaboration over the years.
