Research Faculty

Biographical Info

I graduated from the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands) in 1978 with a Doctoral Degree in Veterinary Science (D.V.Sc.) and received in 1989 a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) in Experimental Pathology form the same University.  I am a Board Certified Laboratory Animal Pathologist (Netherlands Association of Pathologists & Royal Netherlands Veterinary Association) and hold Certification in Laboratory Animal Science and am a Certified Animal Welfare Officer (ex article 14, Netherlands Experiments on Animals Act) both from the Netherlands Ministry of Welfare, Public Health, and Culture.  I was Research Scientist-Toxicologic Pathologist in the Department of Biological Toxicology, Institute CIVO-Toxicology and Nutrition TNO, Zeist, The Netherlands from 1978-1988. From 1985-2006, I have been on the Faculty of the Department of Environmental Medicine of New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, since 2000 as Professor of Environmental Medicine and Urology.  Since 2006, I have been Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine in the Department of Pathology, as of 2021 as Professor Emeritus of Pathology. I have published over 200 articles and book chapters about my research, which has focused on causation and prevention of prostate cancer and on hormonal carcinogenesis.  My current research interests include prostate cancer chemoprevention; hormonal carcinogenesis of the prostate gland and animal models of prostate carcinogenesis with a focus on the role of estrogens and androgens; endocrine disruptors and prostate cancer; and anticancer properties of naturally occurring substances. I am also actively involved in capacity building in health sciences and medicine in Africa.

Clinical and Research Interests:
Prostate cancer chemoprevention
Hormonal carcinogenesis of the prostate and endocrine disruptors
Animal models of prostate carcinogenesis
Anticancer activity of natural substances and African medicinal plants
Capacity building in health sciences and medicine in Africa
Laboratory animal pathology and toxicologic pathology

Education:
1971-1978: Faculty (School) of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands:
1973: Candidacy Veterinary Medicine
1978: Doctoral Degree in Veterinary Science (D.V.Sc.) (Cum Laude)
1989: Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) Experimental Pathology (Cum Laude), Utrecht University.

PostGraduate Training:
1978-1981: Toxicologic and Experimental Pathology, Institute CIVO-Toxicology and Nutrition TNO (Zeist, The Netherlands)
1981-1982: Human Pathology, Antonius Hospital (Utrecht, The Netherlands)