As of 1 November 2026, Prof. Hovius will take on a new challenge as Head of the Section of Infectious Diseases at Amsterdam UMC.
Prof. Joppe Hovius is an internist and infectious diseases specialist, a clinician–researcher, and co-director of the Amsterdam Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases (AI&I) at Amsterdam UMC. He studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam and subsequently conducted research at Yale University on the immunomodulatory properties of tick salivary proteins. He combined his residency in Internal Medicine with research into host–pathogen interactions, obtaining his PhD in 2009. His work spans basic, translational and clinical infectious diseases research, with a particular focus on vector-borne infections, host immune responses and the development of novel preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. He also founded the Amsterdam UMC Multidisciplinary Lyme Center, a nationally recognized center of expertise. In 2024, he was appointed co-director of AI&I, where he contributes to strengthening interdisciplinary research and collaboration between infectious diseases and immunology.
1. Congratulations on your new role. How do you feel about becoming Head of Infectious Diseases at Amsterdam UMC?
I am really looking forward to it. We have a very strong and committed group, with a broad range of expertise in clinical care, education and research. For me, this is about building on what is already there and making sure we are well prepared for the years ahead.
Infectious diseases is a very broad field. Our work ranges from severe and complex bacterial infections, HIV and infections in immunocompromised patients to tropical and vector-borne diseases, emerging infections and post-acute infection syndromes. That breadth is a real strength, but it also means that we need to make choices about where we want to excel and how we organize ourselves around those priorities.
I see my role as helping to set that direction together with the team. I also think we should make even better use of the expertise around us. Infectious diseases is closely connected to many other clinical specialties, and collaboration across Amsterdam UMC is essential if we want to provide the best care and further strengthen our academic position.
‘Professor Peter Speelman, one of my predecessors, used to say: ‘Everything is infectious diseases’. There is a lot of truth in that. It reminds us how broad our field is and how closely it is connected to other specialties, including clinical microbiology and immunology. One of my priorities is therefore to strengthen those connections and make better use of the expertise around us in clinical care, science and education.’
Prof. Joppe Hovius | Head of the Section of Infectious Diseases at Amsterdam UMC
2. How will you combine your new role with your position as co-director of AI&I and your ongoing research on Lyme borreliosis and other tick-borne diseases?
I see the combination as a real opportunity. I think it is important that our clinical and scientific strategies are closely aligned, so that research, innovation and infrastructure strengthen the areas in which we provide specialized patient care, while the questions arising from clinical practice help shape our research.
In my role as co-director of AI&I, together with prof. Reina Mebius, I can help shape that. AI&I brings together Infectious Diseases and Immunology, as well as a wide range of expertise and infrastructure across Amsterdam UMC. That creates opportunities to connect clinical questions from our department not only to infectious disease research, but also to immunology and other relevant disciplines.
I also want to remain scientifically active myself. Over the years I have built a strong research team and several ongoing programs, so I do not need to be involved in every detail. I will have to be more selective, delegate more and step back from some other roles, but research will remain an important part of my work.
3. What will be your priorities as head of the section?
My first priority is to keep the department strong and ready for the future. That starts with excellent patient care, but also means looking ahead at how we organize ourselves and where we want to focus. I also want to further strengthen our academic profile and make sure that clinical care, research, education and innovation support each other. For this, collaboration will be important. We have a lot of expertise within Amsterdam UMC and around us, and I think we can make better use of that. In the first months, I mainly want to listen, build on the work that has already been done, look more closely at where we need to strengthen or adjust, and then set priorities together with the team.
We warmly congratulate Prof. Hovius on his appointment as Head of the Section of Infectious Diseases. With this new role alongside his co-directorship of AI&I, we look forward to further strengthening the collaboration between the section and the institute.
Photo credit: Mark Horn
