The Academy is pleased to announce that Professor Doctor Judith Sluimer from Maastricht University in the Netherlands is the 2025 recipient of the Selby Fellowship. The fellowship is awarded to distinguished international scientists to conduct public lectures and visit scientific centres across Australia to share their research.
Professor Sluimer has worked in Maastricht University Medical Center since 2010, where she is focused on cardiovascular pathophysiology, specifically the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and vascular ageing.
Her research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying the responses of macrophages and mesenchymal cells in vascular physiology and pathology to cellular stress, and resulting changes in cellular identity and function. She combines experimental models with cutting-edge multi-omics techniques, and studies involving human subjects and tissue samples.
During her visit to Australia, Professor Sluimer will share her scientific work and resources to explore new collaborations in the field of atherosclerosis, vascular ageing, metabolism and data science. In addition, she will explore funding schemes available for international collaboration and interact with early-career scientists and the general public.
"I'm excited to return to the country where my academic career started during an MSc internship at the University of Queensland, Brisbane in 2000," Professor Sluimer said.
"Death and illness caused by cardiovascular disease is a global problem with insufficient solutions, requiring scientists across the globe to work together to address this challenge. The Selby Fellowship will allow me to physically cross these borders. I'm really looking forward to discussing science with Australia's excellent cardiovascular community to foster new partnerships during the lecture tour," Professor Sluimer added.
The Selby Fellowship is financed through the trustees of the Selby Scientific Foundation. In 1980, the Directors of H B Selby Australia recognised the need for a continuing source of funds to help finance education, research and development in the fields of science and medicine.
Dates and locations of Professor Sluimer's public lectures will be published on the Academy website once confirmed.
Applications for the 2026 Selby Fellowship open on 13 February.
