Ron Heeren appointed as distinguished professor at Maastricht University
Prof. Ron Heeren, currently working at FOM Institute AMOLF, will be appointed as distinguished professor ('universiteitshoogleraar') and 'Limburg Chair' on molecular imaging at Maastricht University with effect from 1 September 2014. Heeren will also be co-director of a new institute for molecular imaging: the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute (M4I). Members of Heeren's AMOLF research group will accompany him, and will continue their work at Maastricht University as a FOM research workgroup. This marks the first time that a complete FOM research group transfers to Maastricht University.
Heeren started a research group in 1999 at AMOLF focusing on macromolecular ion physics with high resolution mass spectrometry and pioneered the development of imaging mass spectrometry. Recently, Heeren and his group developed the IonPix camera with exceptional sensitivity and functionality. This camera in combination with a microscope mode mass spectrometry system provides extremely high spatial resolution molecular images and has the capability to capture several ion masses in one measurement cycle. This technological innovation is being brought to the market by start-up company Omics2Image.
AMOLF director Vinod Subramaniam congratulates Heeren: "This prestigious appointment at Maastricht University represents an exceptional recognition of Ron's pioneering research on the interface of physics and the biomedical sciences that he has conducted for many years at AMOLF. His work has opened new avenues for biomedical applications of imaging mass spectroscopy, and with this new step, Ron ensures the effective translation of the cutting-edge molecular imaging methods developed in his research group to challenging clinical applications within a leading university and medical center in the Netherlands. I am confident that Ron will help shape M4I into a force to be reckoned with in Molecular Imaging. Ron has been a highly-respected colleague and member of the AMOLF family, and we are thankful for his many contributions to AMOLF. We wish him continued success in this new adventure."
For more information, please see the Maastricht University press release.