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As of 1 March, the Executive Board has appointed Hans Kooistra to the post of Professor of Companion Animal Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals.

Kooistra graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. After a brief period working as a practicing veterinarian, he completed an internship and a residency in companion animal internal medicine at the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals.

In 1997, he was granted the title of European Specialist. He earned his PhD Cum Laude in 2000 on research into the function of the hypophysis in dogs. In 2004, he was appointed as an Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, with a focus on endocrinology and reproduction. From 2007 to 2009, he served as the President of the European Society of Veterinary Endocrinology. Since 2016, he has coordinated the clinical research conducted in his department. Last year, Kooistra was appointed as a member of the faculty Research Council.

Animal health

“I am very pleased with this appointment”, says Hans Kooistra. “It’s a privilege to be able to lead the exceptionally motivated and knowledgeable colleagues in the Companion Animal Internal Medicine division. Over the next few years, I’ll work to develop several priority areas in internal medicine, such as neurology, cardiology, oncology and genetics. We will also pay more attention to feline medicine.”

Important role in society

In the area of research, Kooistra aims to find more ways to collaborate with research groups outside the department. “Our research will pay considerable attention to the welfare of our pets and reducing genetic defects and harmful breed characteristics.” Kooistra also sees considerable room for modernisation of the department’s education, both for students and graduates, in areas such as the digitalisation of education and the application of blended learning. “Last but not least, I want to make us more aware of the important role we play in society. As the premiere knowledge centre in the field of companion animal health, we have a lot to offer, and we truly want to work together with other partners.”