Prof. Marjolein Drent is currently professor emeritus of Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, and a guest senior researcher at the ILD Center of Excellence, St. Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands. She is also the Emeritus President of WASOG. She is a member of De Witte Raven, a network of (retired) physicians who support general practitioners with complex or unresolved medical issues. She is also the creator of the podcast ‘Adembenemende gesprekken – in-depth conversations with passionate healthcare professionals and experts by experience. She has (co-)authored over 500 scientific papers and book chapters. Her primary interests include sarcoidosis, fibrotic lung diseases, drug-induced ILD, quality of life, fatigue, and work-related challenges — always with a strong focus on patient-centered care. She is the founder and chair of the ild care foundation (interstitial lung diseases, including sarcoidosis and those related to occupational and environmental management and research). She is an honorary member of Sarcoidose.nl (the Dutch Sarcoidosis Patient Association) and co-founder and advisory board member of the Dutch Pulmonary Fibrosis Society. Prof. Drent has (co-)supervised over 16 PhD candidates. In 2012, she was nominated for the World Sarcoidosis Person of the Year Award (Dublin, Ireland) for her tireless research into the psychological burden experienced by patients and their families. She is an ambassador for Compassion for Care and the Youth Smoking Prevention Foundation. In 2016, she was appointed Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau by Royal Decree. In 2022, she received the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Lifetime Achievement Award ILD (Assembly 12) in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the ILD field. In 2023, she was honored with the FSR Sarcoidosis Crystal Award for Excellence in Research and Clinical Care. In September 2023, she was appointed Honorary Member of the ERS. Most recently, in June 2024, she received the prestigious Professor Swierenga Medal for exceptional contributions to healthcare, science, and the societal advancement of lung disease in the Netherlands.

Publications