Professor Van Leeuwen is one of the country’s leading epidemiologists. She investigates the long-term effects of cancer treatment and was one of the first researchers in the world to prove that radiotherapy can increase the risk of second malignancies in the area receiving the radiation, according to the direction of the VvE. These findings have indubitably had a large societal impact by affecting the cancer treatment guidelines and by increasing focus on the prevention of second malignancies. An impact that was strengthened through her membership in various boards in health care policy and broad recognition within the Netherlands and internationally.
An example
The jury especially appreciates the combination of impact and high quality that can be found in her research. The research published by professor Van Leeuwen is scientifically and methodologically very strong, has been set up conscientiously, and is of high epidemiological standards. She is an example to young, ambitious epidemiologists.
Critical colleagues
NKI epidemiologist Matti Rookus is happy to see her colleague receive such well-deserved recognition: “An international award like the Rosalind E. Franklin Award, which she received before, is great, but this is a lifetime award given out by critical direct colleagues. This is something we at the NKI can be very proud of!”
The VvE Achievement Award has been awarded on June 4, 2021, during the yearly Dutch Epidemiological Conference WEON, organized by the Amsterdam UMC. The selection was made by members of the conference’s organizing committee and the directors of the Dutch Epidemiological Society.
