On Friday, 6 June 2025, Professor Marion Koopmans, Scientific Director of the Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Center and outgoing head of the Viroscience Department at Erasmus MC, received a Royal Honour from Joyce Langenacker, Mayor of the municipality of Zeist.

Throughout her career, Prof. Koopmans has made an exceptional contribution both nationally and internationally in the fields of infectious disease control, virology, and public health. Together with numerous researchers, she conducted groundbreaking research on the transmission of viruses from animals to humans and between humans. This work enabled faster containment of outbreaks such as the Ebola virus.

A key thread throughout her work has been the creation of global networks to systematically and comprehensively combat infectious diseases. She has played a leading role in launching major initiatives, most recently the Pathogens Portal Netherlands. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was instrumental in making scientific insights about the virus accessible to a broad audience — including healthcare professionals and policymakers. As the initiator and driving force behind numerous research projects, initiatives, and organizations — such as the Netherlands Centre for One Health (NCOH) and the Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC) — she has helped shape the field in the Netherlands and beyond. Throughout her career, she has also mentored and inspired many young researchers and PhD candidates.

On 6 June, Prof. Koopmans stepped down as head of the Viroscience Department at Erasmus MC, but she will of course remain actively involved in science and continue to contribute, for example, through her close engagement with the Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Center, which is closely affiliated with Erasmus MC.

Prof. Dr. Koopmans is a global authority in her field and, in recognition of her many achievements, was awarded a Royal Honour: Commander in the Order of Oranje-Nassau. The ceremony took place at the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam.