Hans Clevers
Hans Clevers is world-renowned for his work in the fields of cell biology, molecular signaling and stem
cells. His research groups’ discoveries include the detailed characterization of the molecular effectors
and integrators of the “Wnt” pathway, which play crucial roles in health and disease, including in stem
cells, regeneration and cancer. His group provided important insights into (intestinal) stem cell biology,
exploiting LGR5 as a novel stem cell marker. This eventually led him to pioneer “organoids”, 3
dimensional in vitro structures that behave anatomically and molecularly like the organ from which they
are derived. Organoid biology has revolutionized the way we understand and approach human biology
and medicine.
Hans Clevers obtained his MD and PhD degrees from the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands. He
holds a professorship in Molecular Genetics from the University of Utrecht. He previously held
directorship/President positions at the Hubrecht Institute, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and
Sciences and the Princess Maxima Center for pediatric oncology. He has served as Head of Roche’s
Pharma Research & Early Development (pRED) since March 2022 as member of the company’s Enlarged
Corporate Executive Committee. In 2023, he oversaw the establishment of the Institute of Human
Biology (IHB) in Basel, and currently serves as its ad interim Director. Hans Clevers will remain in charge
of the IHB until a successor is appointed, while supervising his research groups at the Hubrecht Institute
and the Princess Máxima Center.
He is the recipient of multiple international scientific awards, including the Breakthrough Prize in Life
Science. Hans Clevers is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (NL), the
National Academy of Sciences (USA), the Royal Society (UK) and the Academie des Sciences (France). He
is also Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur and Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion, among many
other international accolades.