New members of the CCE Board of Directors: Wilbert Zwart and Michiel van der Heijden, from NKI

The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) appoints Wilbert Zwart and Michiel van der Heijden as their representatives in the board of directors of Cancer Core Europe, effective October 2023. Both will be succeeding Emile Voest, former CCE chairperson and NKI delegate at the consortium.

Wilbert is a senior group leader at the oncogenomics division, where he has had his own independent lab since 2011. He also serves as chair of the NKI Translational Research Board and as theme leader for precision oncology at the NKI.

“Cancer Core Europe combines the unique strengths and expertise of comprehensive cancer centres throughout Europe, reshaping the future of cancer research and care”, says Wilbert. “It’s an absolute privilege to represent the NKI in this unique collaborative effort, fostering interactions and synergy between clinicians and researchers towards a better treatment for all cancer patients.”

On the other hand, Michiel, after completing his medical oncology fellowship in 2013, started his own research group at the NKI and joined the medical oncology faculty as a clinician. Nowadays, he is the medical oncologist and research group leader at NKI.

Regarding his new role in CCE, Michiel states, “We are excited to work with our European sister institutes to bring innovative clinical trials to cancer patients, harnessing the enormous knowledge and expertise present within this network, and stimulating new basic and translational cancer research.”

We are delighted to welcome them both and are confident that they will be a great addition to the Cancer Core Europe board of directors.