Ivonne M.C.M. Rietjens

Professor Ivonne M.C.M. Rietjens stands as a leading authority in toxicology and food safety as the head of the Toxicology Division at Wageningen University. Her groundbreaking research focuses on risk assessment of natural toxins, physiologically based kinetic models, and the development of alternative methods to animal testing. As a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), she has supervised over 120 PhD students and authored more than 400 scientific publications, achieving an h-index of 47. Her expertise has been recognized through her recent receipt of the 2024 EUROTOX Merit Award, acknowledging her extraordinary contributions to toxicology. Throughout her career, she has served on numerous prestigious committees, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Dutch Health Council, and the EU Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits. Her pioneering work includes developing computer models that translate laboratory findings into human-relevant doses and advancing animal-free testing methods. She currently serves on the panel evaluating flavoring approvals for the US market and plans to continue this work beyond her scheduled retirement in December 2025. Her research has significantly impacted food safety assessment methodologies, particularly in developing alternatives to animal testing and understanding the mechanisms of natural toxins. As a strong advocate for risk-based rather than hazard-based approaches to food safety, she has contributed to shaping regulatory frameworks and risk assessment strategies worldwide.