Gerrit van Meer

Gerrit van Meer is a Professor and former Dean of the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University, overseeing 1,500 staff and 5,700 students. He has held leadership roles including Head of the Department of Chemistry and Professorships in Membrane Enzymology (Utrecht University) and Cell Biology and Histology (Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam). His career spans over 40 years in lipid biology research.

Education:

• PhD in Biochemistry (1981), Utrecht University, under Laurens van Deenen
• Postdoc/Staff Scientist at EMBL Heidelberg (1981–1988)

Research Focus: Pioneering work on membrane lipid organization, transport mechanisms, and lipid rafts. Contributions include ABC transporter lipid translocation concepts and leadership in initiatives like the Lipid Maps classification system and European Lipidomics.

Awards & Recognition:

• Van Deenen Medal (2016)
• KNAW Membership (2008)
• EMBO Membership (2003)

Academic Contributions: Authored groundbreaking research and reviews, organized conferences, and taught across university levels. Led the European Science Foundation's Structural Medicine II lipidomics initiative.