Isabel Arends

Prof. Isabel Arends is the Dean of the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University and holds the title of Professor of Sustainable Organic Chemistry. She previously served as Full Professor of Biocatalysis and Organic Chemistry at TU Delft, leading the Biotechnology Department until 2018. Her research focuses on sustainable chemical processes, biocatalysis, and green chemistry, with over 160 publications and 40+ supervised PhD students. She chairs Utrecht University’s strategic themes in Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability, and leads national initiatives to enhance STEM education. Awards include membership in the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and an honorary doctorate from UCLouvain. Key roles include supervisory board memberships at Utrecht Holdings, the Ruisdael Observatory, and the National Chamber of Payers for academic STEM teachers.

Education:

• PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry (cum laude, Leiden University, 1993)
• Postdoctoral Research at the National Research Council, Ottawa (1994)
• MSc in Physical Organic Chemistry (Leiden University, 1988)

Research Interests:

• Biocatalytic oxyfunctionalization and enzyme-driven sustainable processes
• Development of green oxidation and reduction systems
• Enzymatic regeneration of cofactors like NAD+ and H2O2
• Applications in pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and circular economy

Articles Overview: Recent work emphasizes light-driven biocatalytic systems, enzyme-catalyzed oxidation/reduction cascades, and sustainable synthesis of steroidal compounds. Key topics include photocatalytic regeneration of cofactors, peroxynitrite-catalyzed epoxidation, and chemoenzymatic routes to specialty chemicals.

Awards & Recognition:

• Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau (2018)
• Founding Chair of TU Delft Bioengineering Institute (2016)
• Member of NWO Applied & Engineering Sciences Board (2014–present)

Grants & Leadership: Chair of the TU Delft 175th Anniversary Committee (2017), founder of the Bioengineering Institute, and advocate for diversity and Open Science in academia. Active in national STEM teacher recruitment strategies and educational outreach.

Labs & Teams: Previously directed the TU Delft Biotechnology Department and led the Bioengineering Institute. Engaged in collaborative projects with the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute and the NIOO-KNAW ecological research institute.