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The Executive Board has appointed Jarno Drost as Professor of Models and Mechanisms of Pediatric Solid Tumorigenesis at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ�� with effect from 15 June 2025. The chair offers new opportunities to further strengthen research, education and collaboration in childhood oncology.

With his chair, Drost aims to help speed up therapeutic innovation for children with cancer. “We focus on developing laboratory models of pediatric tumors. In my research group, we mainly use organoids, 3D mini-tumors in the lab. This allows us to study how tumors develop, why they behave differently from healthy cells, how they become sensitive or insensitive to drugs and how you can use this knowledge to find new treatments.”

Closer collaboration

In addition to his professorship, Drost will continue his work as a research group leader at the Prinses Máxima Centrum and the Oncode Institute. An important goal is to establish a closer collaboration between fundamental research and the clinical practice. “We are already working together with colleagues from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – for example in the field of metabolism in cancer cells. This can give us starting points for new therapies for children with cancer.” Drost’s knowledge of cancer models in the lab can also be valuable for new developments in veterinary medicine. “More intensive collaboration can have a strengthening effect in both directions.”

In addition to furthering research, Drost is also looking forward to his role in training the new generation of scientists. “I am looking forward to being more closely involved in supervising bachelor’s, master’s and PhD students as a professor. And of course to being able to award students their doctorates at Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��.”

Enjoying work

When he looks back on his career, Drost sees one constant: enjoyment. “Hard work is important, but certainly in science you can’t get there without motivation and a bit of luck. For me, the common thread is that I simply love my work. That has ultimately been the basis for every step I have taken.”

Drost is proud that he can now also take the step towards a professorship: “This appointment is a huge honour and appreciation for me and my research group. We have worked hard in recent years to set up our research lines and this chair is a wonderful reward.”