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Henri Timmers, born in Veghel, internist-endocrinologist, Md, PhD, full professor of endocrinology, department of internal medicine, vascular damage research theme.
Where do you live?
I live together with my husband Erwin, both in Nijmegen and in Amsterdam.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Can you tell us something about your childhood years?
I wanted to become a teacher, like my mother. I grew up on a farm in the countryside of Brabant.
What was your previous academic training, where did you study and why did you choose that study/those studies?
After I studied medicine at RU I did my clinical training in internal medicine and endocrinology at RUMC. In parallel I did a PhD project on the autonomic control of blood pressure at RUMC / AMC Amsterdam. I spent two years as post-doc research fellow at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, USA, studying neuroendocrine tumors. The choices I made in my clinical and scientific training reflect my fascination for autonomic neuroendocrine regulations.
Which of your research discoveries are you most proud of?
I am proud of my contributions to the genotype/phenotype characterization of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma, rare neuroendocrine tumors of the adrenal gland and paraganglia. We discovered that metabolic features of the tumor can be identified in vivo by functional imaging and translate into patient prognosis and individualized treatment and follow-up.
What is your most important scientific challenge in the coming 5 years?
To further develop our zebrafish models for pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma and identify therapeutic targets for metastatic disease, together with Dr. Margo Dona, post doc.
If you could choose any mentor, who would it be?
Prof. Jacques Lenders, emeritus professor internal medicine, who in fact still is my mentor, beyond his retirement.
What is your favorite topic: molecules - patients - population?
Patients and molecules.
What should be changed / improved in the scientific community?
Physician researchers (in training) divide their time between patient care and research. They should be optimally supported by their institute in pursuing a career in science. They form a valuable bridge between bench and bedside.
Is there anything we can wake you up for in the middle of the night?
Patients requiring immediate medical care. And anything concerning my parents who are in their late eighties.
What is the thing that irritates you most?
When things move too slowly. I wish I had a bit more patience.
Who would you like to have dinner with, if you had the chance?
Maria Vorontsova, Vladimir Poetin’s daughter. We have a common ground in academic endocrinology. Maybe I could convince her and talk some sense into her father...
How do you relax from the demanding job being a scientist?
Sunday trips on our little boat on the Amstel with friends for a picknick and a swim.
Do you have a tip for our most junior scientists?
Enjoy your work. Keep in mind the higher goal of your projects.
Please add a photo which represents a remarkable event or experience you were part of? Please explain.
My inaugural speech last November, which was delayed due to covid, truly marked my professional life and was the best opportunity to thank the colleagues whom I enjoy working with.
