Prof. J.J.L.M. (Jeroen) Cornelissen (1972) will become the new dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology (S&T) at the University of Twente as of 1 September. The Executive Board of the University of Twente has appointed Jeroen for a term of four years. He is currently Professor of Organic Chemistry within the same faculty.
For Jeroen, this is a special step at a special moment. The S&T faculty is currently undergoing a reorganisation. Among other things, the reorganisation plan includes the decision to discontinue the Biomolecular Nanotechnology department, which Jeroen is part of, as a result of a more focused research profile.
“We are delighted that we can continue to work with Jeroen in this way,” said Rector Magnificus Tom Veldkamp. “Jeroen is an excellent scientist, has a big heart for the UT, and has proven talent for and affinity with leadership, management and administrative processes. He has already demonstrated this in various positions and roles within and outside the UT. The faculty needs strong and empathetic leadership for the new phase, and Jeroen can play an important role in this.”
Jeroen Cornelissen has been associated with the University of Twente for sixteen years. In 2009, he left Radboud University for the UT. He also studied chemistry in Nijmegen and obtained his doctorate (cum laude) there in 2000. After a brief stint in business in the United States, he returned to academia. Within the UT, Jeroen has held various other roles in addition to his position as professor, including scientific director of MESA+ (2015-2018). Since 2021, he has headed the Molecules Centre, one of MESA+’s centres of expertise.
Jeroen Cornelissen on his appointment: “The reorganisation has had a major impact on the community within the faculty and continues to do so. There is a great need for calm, restoring trust and creating new momentum. There are various challenges, ranging from creating financial and organisational stability to defining the mandates of the departments and strengthening the community in a time of complex challenges and uncertainties. I am convinced that I can offer the desired vision and ability to execute to successfully fulfil this role, in which working together and transparency are of great importance. I'm excited to begin this new chapter and to engage with colleagues throughout the faculty soon.”
The Executive Board looks forward to working with Jeroen and wishes him every success in his new role.
