ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ

As of 1 January 2018, the Executive Board appointed Juliette Legler professor of Toxicology at the Department of Toxicology & Veterinary Pharmacology (IRAS) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Legler is a toxicologist who, among other things, researches hormone disruptors and their effects on human and animal health. Exposure to these ‘endocrine disruptive chemicals’ (EDCs) can contribute to health problems – from reduced IQ, autism, ADHD, diabetes and obesity to infertility and cancer.

Legler has been professor of Toxicology and Environmental Health at the College of Health and Life Sciences at Brunel ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ London since 2016 and is now affiliated with Brunel ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ as professor by special appointment. At Brunel, she led the Environment and Health Theme at the Institute for Environment, Health and Societies. Before leaving for London, she was professor and deputy head of the Department of Chemistry and Biology at the Institute for Environmental Issues (IVM) at VU Amsterdam.

It’s fantastic to continue this research within one of the best toxicology groups in the world

Chemicals policy

Legler studied Environmental Sciences at Wageningen ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ and obtained her doctorate in 2001. She carried out her doctoral and post-doctoral research together with the Hubrecht Institute. She has received various NWO and EU grants and has more than 130 scientific articles and book contributions to her name. Her research into the long-term health effects of exposure to hormone disruptors in early life is influencing international chemicals policy.

From gene and cell to human and animal

‘My research focuses on the entire chain of the biological organisation, from gene and cell to human and animal,’ says Legler. ‘I focus on unravelling how EDCs lead to molecular changes early in development that can then cause health problems later in life. Insight into these molecular mechanisms makes it possible to develop laboratory-animal free toxicity tests. It’s fantastic to continue this research within one of the best toxicology groups in the world. And also within the IRAS and the faculty, both so committed to One Health and interdisciplinarity!’