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My name is Hans Von den Hoff and I was born in Oss between Nijmegen and Den Bosch. For more than 25 years I am assistant professor in the department of Dentistry. My research on wound healing and scar formation after cleft palate surgery belongs to the theme Reconstructive and Regenerative Medicine of the RIMLS.
Where do you live?
I live in Nijmegen in the area Lindenholt at the west side of the city. I live alone since my three children all left the house. Luckily they all study in Nijmegen so we see eachother regularly.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Can you tell us something about your childhood years?
At primary and secondary school I always wanted to be a veterinary physician but I could not enter as there was a very strict lottery for this. Then I started studying biology in Nijmegen. Looking back it is very good that I did not become a veterinarian because I am heavily allergic to dogs and cats and many other hairy or feathery animals.
What was your previous academic training, where did you study and why did you choose that study/those studies?
So I studied Biology in Nijmegen. This was my second choice but I was always interested in animals and plants because of the many documentaries of David Attenborough. After graduation I did my PhD in Amsterdam at the UVA in the field of rheumatology and the metabolism of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis. In 1995, I started working in the Dentistry department of Radboudumc.
Which of your research discoveries are you most proud of?
About 8 years ago I found out, together with a PhD student, that we can make a model for scar formation after cleft palate surgery in the soft palate of the rat. The muscles of the soft palate are crucial for speaking (in humans 😊). We are still using this animal model to develop therapies to prevent scar formation.
What is your most important scientific challenge in the coming 5 years?
To bring an experimental antifibrotic therapy to the clinic.
If you could choose any mentor, who would it be?
Oops, that’s a difficult one. I guess I don’t need a mentor but would like to collaborate with researchers that have more experience in translational research.
What is your favorite topic: molecules - patients - population?
Molecules; especially antifibrotic molecules at this time.
What should be changed / improved in the scientific community?
To go back a bit into fundamental research instead of mostly focusing on commercially interesting subjects.
Is there anything we can wake you up for in the middle of the night?
Yes, a 'frikandel speciaal' (meat sausage with onions and curry sauce).
What is the thing that irritates you most?
People ignoring or denying the results of scientific research.
Who would you like to have dinner with, if you had the chance?
Sir David Attenborough, but it should be quick as he is already nearly one hundred years old.
How do you relax from the demanding job being a scientist?
Preparing an elaborate dinner for my family.
Do you have a tip for our most junior scientists?
Go your own way but learn from the experience of others.
Please add a photo which represents a remarkable event or experience you were part of? Please explain.
This is at the BBQ for my birthday last summer with the whole family.
