I am University Research Chair professor at Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc) in Amsterdam. In my research I take a true translational approach from science to society by combining my scientific expertise in human movement science and epidemiology resulting in innovative studies in real-world situations. My research focuses on determinants and health consequences of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in youth, with a strong interest in underlying mechanisms and innovations in risk factor research. I am acknowledged for my innovations in methodology (e.g. mediation analyses, participatory action methods with children). Recently I developed novel analytical methods of accelerometer data providing detailed, unique information on SB and PA patterns.

I chair the section ‘Child & Adolescent Public Health’ within Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc). I am vice-chair of the Academic Collaborative Center ´Child & Adolescent Public Health´, a fruitful collaboration between VU University Medical Center and five Municipal Health Services in North-Holland aiming to improve evidence-based Child Health Care practice. In addition, I have been chosen as one of the two programme directors of the research program Health Behaviours and Chronic Diseases of the Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, an alliance between AMC and VU/VUmc. Furthermore, I am currently serving my two-year term as President of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA).