Dr. Hans Clevers is a preeminent molecular biologist whose pioneering research has fundamentally reshaped the understanding of stem cell biology and tissue regeneration. Currently serving as Distinguished Group Leader at the Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research under the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, he maintains dual appointments as Professor of Molecular Genetics at Utrecht University and as a research group leader at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology. Born in Eindhoven in 1957, Clevers completed both his medical degree and doctorate at Utrecht University in 1984 and 1985 respectively, followed by formative postdoctoral training at Harvard University's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. His distinguished career spans leadership roles as Director of the Hubrecht Institute, President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, and most recently as Head of Pharma Research and Early Development at Roche before his strategic return to foundational research at the Hubrecht Institute in 2025.
Clevers revolutionized biomedical science through his seminal discovery of Lgr5 as a universal marker for adult stem cells across diverse tissue types, fundamentally altering paradigms of tissue regeneration and maintenance. His groundbreaking elucidation of Wnt signaling pathways established their critical role in both physiological tissue homeostasis and oncogenic processes, particularly in the intestinal epithelium. Most significantly, he pioneered organoid technology, developing methods to cultivate miniature, functional organs from isolated stem cells that faithfully replicate human tissue architecture and function in vitro. This transformative approach has enabled unprecedented investigation of human development, disease mechanisms, and personalized therapeutic responses, with applications spanning cystic fibrosis, cancer research, and regenerative medicine. Supported by over 780 peer-reviewed publications and more than 160,000 citations reflecting an exceptional h-index of 193, his organoid methodology has rapidly become an indispensable research tool across multiple scientific disciplines including developmental biology, infectiology, and precision medicine.
As a Fellow of the Royal Society and member of multiple prestigious academies including the National Academy of Sciences of the USA and the French Academy, Clevers has profoundly shaped the global research landscape through scientific leadership and mentorship. His organoid technology has catalyzed an entirely new field of research, empowering laboratories worldwide to model human diseases with unprecedented fidelity and develop personalized treatment strategies. Currently leading his research group at the Hubrecht Institute, Clevers continues to advance organoid applications for pediatric cancers and rare genetic disorders, with his work informing numerous clinical trials and therapeutic developments. Looking forward, his research program aims to refine organoid systems to better model complex tissue interactions and disease progression, promising to accelerate the development of novel regenerative therapies and precision medicine approaches that could transform patient care across multiple medical specialties.
