Professor Martijn Katan is a distinguished emeritus scholar renowned for his pioneering contributions to nutritional science and public health policy. Born in Arnhem in 1946, he completed his foundational education in chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Amsterdam, earning his doctorate in molecular biology in 1977 under Professor Piet Borst. His academic journey began at Wageningen University in 1976, where he advanced to Personal Professor of Human Nutrition from 1998 to 2006, before transitioning to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam as Professor of Nutrition Science in 2006. Throughout his distinguished career, he held significant leadership positions including Scientific Director of the Nutrition and Health program at the Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences and Nutrition Foundation Professor at Radboud University Nijmegen from 1985 to 1998.
Professor Katan's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of the relationship between dietary components and cardiovascular disease risk factors through rigorous biochemical investigation. His influential work on dietary fats, cholesterol metabolism, and nutrient-gene interactions established critical evidence for evidence-based nutritional guidelines adopted by health authorities worldwide. The European Nutrition Award from the Federation of European Nutrition Societies, Epstein Award from the American Heart Association, and European Lipid Science Award recognized his seminal contributions to understanding how specific nutrients affect human health at the molecular level. His farewell lecture 'In praise of nutrients' articulated his scientific philosophy advocating for continued focus on individual nutrients rather than whole foods as essential for advancing nutritional science.
Beyond his research, Professor Katan has profoundly shaped public understanding of nutrition through his widely read columns in NRC Handelsblad from 2009 to 2025 and his influential book 'Wat is nu gezond? Fabels en feiten over voeding' which became a definitive resource for evidence-based dietary guidance. As a longstanding member of the Health Council of the Netherlands from 1990 to 2009 and advisor to the Cholesterol Consensus Group, he provided critical scientific guidance for national health policy development. His election to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2003 and subsequent appointment as Academy Professor from 2006 to 2012 underscored his standing as a leading authority in nutritional science. Despite his formal retirement in 2011, Professor Katan continues to contribute through selective research activities and public engagement, maintaining his commitment to translating complex nutritional science into practical knowledge that empowers informed dietary decisions.
