From 1990 to date Jakob de Vlieg has filled a number of R&D management jobs, at Unilever, Organon, Schering-Plough (now MSD) and finally at Bayer CropScience, all companies where his focus lay on developing and implementing a digital R&D strategy. In addition, he was Director of the Netherlands eScience Center in Amsterdam, and from 2000 until this year part-time professor of Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry in Nijmegen. De Vlieg studied Biophysics at Groningen University and gained his doctorate in the simulation of DNA-protein interactions in the computer. 

“In Jakob de Vlieg we have found a highly capable dean and professor of Applied Data Science, with plenty of experience in research and management,” says TU/e rector Frank Baaijens. “He is someone that embodies the best of both worlds for TU/e and for the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science. Not only has he had an extensive career in industry but he also has a considerable background as a part-time professor. Moreover, his professional life shows great affinity with data science and computational life sciences. We are happy to have him strengthen our ranks.”

“To be dean of a growing and strong department at TU/e is a unique and fascinating challenge,” says De Vlieg. “I am looking forward to joining forces with all the talent on offer at the department to boost the profile of the department’s strong fields of expertise and make them even more successful. We aim to maintain high student intake, ensure the quality of the education and, where necessary, fortify the challenging research themes. Another important goal is to more firmly establish the Brainport Region as a ‘Data Science hub’ for which innovative and often combined developments in mathematics and computer science are essential. TU/e and the department not only offer powerful scientific expertise and technology but they also have the right mindset for the joint and cohesive development of solutions. This kind of integrated approach is necessary for data-driven research and innovation in the big data era. Education is an inextricable component of this and a prerequisite for success”.

De Vlieg succeeds prof.dr. Emile Aarts who became rector of Tilburg University on 1 June. Prof.dr. Mark van den Brand remains vice-dean of education at the department W&I with prof.dr.ir. Barry Koren continuing as vice-dean of research.

Source: Persteam TU/e