Speaker

Prof. Hans Meij is a medical anthropologist by training (VU Amsterdam, 1992), who also holds an MBA in hospital management (1996) and an MD/PhD in Medicine (2008) focused on the genetic background of healthy longevity and ageing in rural Africa. His thesis, “Testing life history theory in a contemporary African population,” was conducted in Garu/Ghana and Leiden/Netherlands.

With over 45 years of leadership experience in healthcare, Hans has held senior roles across hospitals, academic networks, and health systems. He was the co-founder of the Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing (2008–2010), a member of the Executive Board of the Amphia Hospital in Breda (2010–2016), and the inaugural Director of the Academic Network at the University of Melbourne, Australia (2016–2019).

Currently, Hans serves as a Visiting Professor of Medicine at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, where he co-founded and leads the Academy for Healthy Longevity. Since 2019, he has also been appointed at the Amsterdam University Medical Center, initially as Head of the Department of Human Genetics and Division Chair for Outpatients and Ambulatory Care. In 2024, he assumed the role of Vice-Dean of International Affairs.

Since September 2025, he is Chair of the Academic Advisory Board of “Beyond 100,” the longevity initiative of GEMS International.

Hans lives between Zoeterwoude, the Netherlands, and Singapore with his wife and their dog, Fritz.