Prof. Dr. P.S. (Pieter) Hiemstra

I studied Medical Biology at Utrecht University, and obtained my PhD degree in 1988 at Leiden University (Role of the complement system and IgA in renal disease; Dept. of Nephrology). Next, I worked for 4 years in the Dept. of Infectious Diseases at LUMC on antimicrobial mechanisms of phagocytes, and spent 6 months at UCLA, Los Angeles. In 1992, I started as head of the laboratory of the Dept. of Pulmonology at LUMC. My research is focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, with an increasing research interest in fibrotic lung disease and lung cancer. My other activities include teaching for Biomedical Sciences and Medical students, as well as students from curricula outside the LUMC.
I have organized a range of scientific meetings and have been active in various organizations, including the Lung Foundation Netherlands, Netherlands Respiratory Society and European Respiratory Society. I am currently Associate Editor of the European Respiratory Journal.

My research is focused on basic and translational research in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, with an increasing research interest in fibrotic lung disease and lung cancer. I have a specific interest in the role of the epithelium of the airways and alveoli in these diseases, with a current focus on host-microbe interactions (including the role of antimicrobial peptides), repair & regeneration and advanced human lung culture models. My research is embedded in the Themes Infection, Immunity and Regenerative Medicine of Tissues and Organs.
My research is supported by a variety of funding organizations, including Lung Foundation Netherlands, ZonMw, NWO and the EU.
I was elected as Fellow of the European Respiratory Society (FERS) in 2014, and obtained the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Assembly 3.0 “Cell and Molecular Biology” Achievement award in 2014, and the Netherlands Respiratory Society (NRS) Swierenga Medal in 2023.