Prof. Marcel Bekkenk is both a clinical researcher and dermatologist who is affiliated with Cancer Center Amsterdam and the Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity. He also works part time with the dermatology institute Huid Medisch Centrum, a joint venture of Amsterdam UMC and Oosterwal.
Prof. Bekkenk earned his medical degree at Vrije Universiteit medical center in 1998 followed by a PhD at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). His specialties include dermato-oncology, (Mohs) surgery, pigment disorders, and phototherapy. He conducts research into pigment cells, melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers, and optimization of patient care.
Prof. Bekkenk is committed to representing and promoting the interests of dermatology in education and science. Inspired by a famous quote of Sir Isaac Newton, his lecture will describe the importance of building on knowledge to make progress in both education and research.
“We have to ensure that education and research can always grow by being able to stand on the shoulders of predecessors,” says Prof. Bekkenk. “Re-use of data and an inspiring and safe educational climate are essential for this.”
Collaboration is also critical for progress. Prof. Bekkenk: “We are engaged in many initiatives from small to large: our collaboration with the patient association for vitiligo (a loss of skin pigmentation), partnerships with LUMC and the Netherlands Cancer Institute, a national collaboration research initiative into inflammatory dermatoses, and an international consortium for genetic research into immunotherapy in melanoma.”
Prof. Marcel bekkenk.
Art work by Koen Verbeek.
For more information contact Prof. Marcel Bekkenk.
On July 1st at 15:45, you can watch the lecture on the YouTube channels of the Office of the Beadle.
Text by Laura Roy.