Royal Honor for Prof. Dr. Joop van Gerven

Prof. Dr. Joop van Gerven has an exceptional and impressive track record. After completing his training in Utrecht and Rotterdam, he moved to Leiden in the early 1990s, where he began working as a neurologist at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). As the founder of the “Central Nervous System” research group within the Center for Human Drug Research (CHDR) in Leiden, he played a key role in advancing research into human pharmaceuticals.

In 2003, Prof. Van Gerven became a professor of clinical neuropsychopharmacology at Leiden University. The Chair of Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology focuses on research into medications for disorders of the central nervous system and on the development of methods to study these medications. In addition, clinical neuropsychopharmacology courses are developed and taught to students and residents training to become neurologists, psychiatrists, or pharmacists. These activities are carried out at the Centre for Human Drug Research in Leiden.

In 1994, Prof. Dr. Van Gerven became research director of the CNS (central nervous system) division at the Center for Human Drug Research (CHDR) Foundation in Leiden. Prof. Dr. Van Gerven founded the CNS research group, successfully expanded it, and made it an important part of the CHDR’s work. The CHDR Foundation was established in 1987 by Leiden University. The CHDR is an independent institute in the field of clinical drug development, i.e., research into drugs in humans.

In 2011, Prof. Van Gerven became a member of the Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (CCMO) as a clinical pharmacologist. From June 15, 2016, to June 15, 2017, he served as interim chair of the committee. Since June 15, 2017, Prof. Van Gerven has been chair of the CCMO. Prof. Van Gerven has also served as chair of the CCMO chamber that reviews scientific research involving increased risk (e.g., involving individuals who lack legal capacity if they cannot benefit from the study) or involving special forms of therapy, such as gene therapy. CCMO committee members are appointed by ministerial decree.

The CCMO is responsible for implementing the WMO and the Embryo Act. Research that falls under the WMO or the Embryo Act must be reviewed by an independent committee of experts. The CCMO ensures the protection of research participants involved in medical-scientific research by assessing compliance with the relevant legal provisions and taking into account the importance of advancing medical science. The CCMO oversees the activities of the 14 accredited medical ethics review committees (METCs) in the Netherlands.

In addition to his paid work, Prof. Van Gerven has served on various advisory boards and committees, including the National Epilepsy Fund, the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers, the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, the Brain Foundation, ZonMw, the German Association for Applied Clinical Pharmacology, and the Association of Clinical Research Organizations in the Netherlands.

In addition to being a physician, scientist, and administrator, Prof. Dr. Van Gerven has also been involved in education for many years. He developed and taught courses for students and residents training to become neurologists, psychiatrists, or pharmacists in the field of research into medications for disorders of the central nervous system, as well as in the development of methods for studying these medications. As a doctoral advisor, Prof. Van Gerven has supervised many doctoral candidates; he has also served on various thesis defense committees.

Prof. Dr. Van Gerven is being honored as an Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau for his overall contributions to the fields of pharmacy and healthcare.