Anja Wilmes

Anja Wilmes is an Assistant Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and part of the AIMMS research institute, specializing in Molecular and Computational Toxicology with expertise in human cell-based toxicity testing models.

Education:

• PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand (supervised by Prof. John H. Miller)
• Habilitation (venia docendi) in Physiology from Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria (2016)

Her research pioneers New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) using advanced human cell culture systems, including primary renal cells, iPSC-derived renal proximal tubular-like cells, podocytes, hepatocytes, endothelial cells, and cardiomyocytes. She develops microporous growth supports and microphysiological systems (organ-on-a-chip) to study personalized medicine, renal transport mechanisms, drug metabolism, and cellular stress responses through transcriptomics, High Content Imaging, and Seahorse mitostress assays. Recent publications demonstrate consistent innovation in iPSC-based toxicity models, mitochondrial dysfunction analysis, and adverse outcome pathway assembly for renal and hepatic toxicity.

Scientific Awards:

• Otto Kraupp Preis (2017)

As Master coordinator for the Molecular Toxicology track in the DDS program, she leads courses in Human Cells in Culture and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Toxicology. Her research leadership spans major EU projects including Predict-IV, StemBANCC, EU-ToxRisk, RISK-HUNT3R, VHP4Safety, and ADME4NGRA, alongside project leadership in Stiftung Set and ProCare initiatives. She serves as Associate Editor for Elsevier since 2025.

Her laboratory focuses on developing animal-free toxicity testing platforms through advanced cell culture engineering and stem cell differentiation protocols, directly contributing to sustainable drug development and regulatory science.