Executive Committee

Professor of Psychiatry, especially Affective Disorders
Head of Department for Affective Disorders
Department of Psychiatry
University Medical Center Groningen
Groningen, The Netherlands

Currently, I am head of the Department for Affective Disorders and scientific coordinator for the clinical studies in affective disorders in Groningen. From 2004 to 2011 I was principle investigator of the Groningen site of the Netherlands Study on Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), a Dutch multi-center 8 years follow-up study in respondents (n=2,981) with depressive and/or anxiety disorders and since 2008 I am principle investigator for the bipolar cohort in MOODINFLAME, a collaborative European study on inflammation and autoimmune disturbances in mood disorders.

Before I moved to Groningen, I worked in The Hague and in Utrecht, where I was principle investigator of the Utrecht site of the international Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network.

My major research interest is mood disorders, both bipolar disorder and major depression, in which I am involved in research on epidemiology, etiology, long-term course and treatment. A main part of my research has focused on the different pharmacological treatment options in bipolar and unipolar mood disorders and their place in guidelines and algorithms.

I have published over 400 papers, many of them in international journals or as chapters in international books. I have been a member of the editorial board of the Dutch Journal of Medicine (NTvG) and of the Dutch Journal of Psychiatry (TvP). Currently, I am member of the editorial board of Bipolar Disorders and serve as editorial consultant for several international journals.

In 2007 I received the annual award for scientific research of the Dutch Psychiatric Association (NVvP).

As president of the ISBD, I will continue on the line that has been set by the previous presidents. Thanks to their efforts and with the support of all other board members and the excellent ISBD office (Chad Daversa and Jahmaiah Lewis) the ISBD has become an invaluable organization intending to improve the lives of patients with bipolar disorder and their relatives by now organizing a yearly international congress (alternating in the USA/Canada and elsewhere in the world) and by its committees and its task forces.

One of the major tasks for the ISBD in the next years will be to further strengthen its position by increasing the numbers of ISBD members and local chapters, and by getting more ISBD members involved in its activities. In addition to the yearly international congress, mainly intended for clinicians and researchers, I also intend to further advance the position of patients and their relatives, by collaborating with and supporting patient organizations.

The ISBD is an internationally respected organization that plays a unique role in promoting awareness of the aetiology, pathophysiology and treatment of bipolar disorder. The ISBD provides an ideal platform not only for scientific exchange, but also for initiating large scale multinational initiatives aiming at improving practicing standards both in research and clinical care. I believe that I could contribute to the work of the ISBD by promoting international initiatives in the area of cognition as a tool for probing genetic diathesis and as treatment target.

It is my great pleasure and honor to be elected as a VP for Education, a new position for education and conferences of the Society. As a VP for Education, I’m going to work with colleagues to develop and extend the educational and career development programs for the young clinicians and researchers who are interested for bipolar disorder. Especially I’m going to devote these efforts in the developing areas. Also I will try to organize conferences which ensure active participation and satisfaction of all members from all chapters of the Society.

Contribution to the International Society of Bipolar Disorders is a natural step in my almost forty year career on research and patient care of bipolar disorder. Since 1974 with short interruptions for vacations and meetings I have seen patients every Monday in our public clinic for bipolar disorder. My principles have been to guarantee continuity of care, individual attention, tailored psychotherapy with our dedicated psychologist, and opportunities to participate in up-to-date research protocols with new treatments. As Past-President of CINP, I am aware of the importance of the global approach that ISBD shares. The ISBD is a unique organization that combines leadership in patient care, research, and patient advocacy. I have been a member of ISBD and on the editorial board of the ISBD journal since its founding in 1998, and have attended both Pittsburg meetings and international meetings. With the merging of the ISBD North American (Pittsburgh) meeting calendar with the ISBD international meeting calendar, the ISBD will be even more able to work toward its goals. Experience has taught me that international organizations are a source not only of honor but an opportunity for hard work. I look forward to this challenge.