Monday, November 05, 2007
Gijs van der Starre, Manager Public Affairs and Societal Issues of the Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI), will become the new Managing Director of the Centre for Society and Genomics as of January 1, 2008.
Right from the start of NGI in 2002, Gijs has been part of the Management team and was one the main contributors to NGI’ overall strategy, both during the first phase (2002 - 2007) and especially for the second phase (2008 –2012). Most of his work has been dedicated to initiating, organising and coordinating the societal component of the NGI strategy, relating to scientific research as well as to public communication and education activities.
Gijs has played a pivotal role in putting the societal aspects of genomics on the general agenda. He has actively contributed to the development of the ‘The societal aspect of genomics research (MCG)’ research programme, publications like the Genomix magazine, and has been a major driving force in the establishment of a large-scale multidisciplinary research centre operating in the area of interaction between genomics and society: the Centre for Society and Genomics (CSG). In his new position as CSG’s Managing Director, Gijs will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Centre’s overall activities.
Gijs’ contribution to the success of NGI is evident. We thank him for all his work, ideas and dedication and wish him all the best in his new position.