4th sports medical running symposium UMC Utrecht
On Tuesday evening 28 March, UMC Utrecht hosted the 4th sports medical running symposium in the run-up to the Utrecht Marathon, which will take place on 21 May with start and finish in the Utrecht Science Park. Several speakers shared their experience, scientific knowledge and valuable tips to the more than 170 interested people in the room.
Wessel Zimmermann, military sports doctor, talked about prevention and treatment of overuse and injuries caused by running and marching in military personnel. These often occur due to load imbalance. He gave the central message that the most can be gained, and the load reduced, by technically correct running and by buying traditional running shoes that fit your technique.
David, a sports physiotherapist and podiatrist, took us through the development of the running shoe from the 1970s onwards. There have been lots of innovations in running shoes, but not all are suitable or desirable for the recreational runner. David advocates a more individually adapted shoe if you want to run injury-free and a running analysis is a must in this regard.
Leon Graumans, running coach, took visitors through the tainting principles, sharing his knowledge on endurance, physical fitness, improving running efficiency, hydration and energy absorption during exercise.
Prof Fred Hartgens, sports doctor, took the audience through the effects of endurance training on the heart and cardiovascular risk factors. He advocates annual screening of all elite athletes as well as an exercise test for recreational athletes >35 years old so that possible heart abnormalities are recognised in time.
Utrecht Science Park Summer Café: Farewell to Managing Director Jan Henk van der Velden
On Monday, 6 July, the Utrecht Science Park Summer Café took place at Grand Café Living on Utrecht Science Park. This edition was dedicated to the farewell of Jan Henk van der Velden, Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, after nine years in which he played a key role in the development and positioning of the ecosystem.
UMC Utrecht is to get a new main entrance and a green campus park
The north side of UMC Utrecht is set to undergo a major redevelopment in the coming years. Utrecht City Council and the teaching hospital have presented plans for a new main entrance, a central car park and a green reception area designed to improve connections between the hospitals at Utrecht Science Park. The plans have now been submitted to the city council.
Petra Baarendse appointed new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park as of 1 September
Utrecht, 2 July 2026 – As of 1 September 2026, Petra Baarendse will take office as the new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park. She succeeds Jan Henk van der Velden, who has stepped down and will take on a new role as Managing Director of Stichting Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).