prof. dr. Frans Russel

About Frans Russel

Frans Russel has been professor emeritus of pharmacology and toxicology since July 2024. He received his master’s degree of Pharmaceutical Sciences and PharmD from the University of Groningen and obtained a PhD in Pharmacology from Radboud University. In 2000 he was appointed full professor at Radboud University Medical Center and the Faculty of Sciences. From 2012-2023, he headed the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Since 2001, he was also director of the bachelor's and international master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences, in which students are trained to become innovative research professionals aimed at improving health and healthcare from molecule to global population.

He is internationally renowned for his work on the interaction between the body and foreign substances, particularly the role played by drug transporters. These membrane proteins transport endogenous substances, as well as drugs, into and out of cells. His research focuses on systems pharmacology of bioenergetic drug effects, pharmacokinetic modelling, and the role of transporters in (sub)cellular disposition of drugs and toxic compounds. An important goal is to translate molecular-based knowledge of drug transport and selective toxicity to the clinical setting, to assist in the development of more effective and safer drug therapies. From 2005 to 2009, he served on the board of the Top Institute Pharma, a public-private partnership funded by the Dutch government to stimulate pharmaceutical research between academia, large companies, and SMEs. He is currently active on several committees and boards, including the Health Council of the Netherlands, the Medicines Evaluation Board, ZonMW (funding organization for health and heathcare research), and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). He is co-inventor of four patents, one of which led to the establishment of a pharmabiotech company. Frans Russel has published more than 450 scientific papers and book chapters, and supervised over 45 PhD students, 15 postdocs, and 50 toxicologists-in-training. Three of his former PhD students were appointed full professors, and several others have reached leadership positions in the pharmaceutical industry.

Personal prizes & awards

• Appointed Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion for exceptional achievements in the field of pharmaceutical sciences and healthcare (2024)
• Appointed by Royal decree as member of the Health Council of the Netherlands (2012)
• Internationalization Prize, Radboud University (2010)
• Prof. dr. H.J. Lammers Prize for outstanding achievements in scientific education (2008)
• Elected Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (2005)

Additional Functions

• Member, Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG-MEB), Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (2013-present)
• Member, Health Council of the Netherlands (2012-2023)
• Chair, permanent Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Safety (DECOS), Health Council of the Netherlands (2017-present)
• Chair, temporary Committee on Biological Limit Values, Health Council of the Netherlands (2023-present)
• Member, Presidium Committee, Health Council of the Netherlands (2017-present)
• Member, Supervisory Committee, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (2021-present)
• Member, Jury Prix Galien Research Award (2016-2023)
• Vice chair, Committee on Therapeutic Application of Psychedelics, ZonMW Good Use of Medicines programme (2024-present)
• Member, Research evaluation committee of Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden University (2024-present)
• Member, Editorial Board of Biopharm Drug Dispos (2006-heden), Eur J Pharmacol (2008-present), Curr Opin Toxicol (2016-present), Curr Opin Pharmacol (2019-present)