Royal Honour for BioClock’s Prof. Joke Meijer

We are proud to share that BioClock coordinator Prof. Joke Meijer has been awarded a royal knighthood. A unique and more than deserved recognition of her contribution to chronobiology and the scientific field as a whole.

During her goodbye-lecture Joke was appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. This prestigious honour is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society in fields such as science, culture and innovation. The award was presented to Joke by the mayor of her hometown, Leiden, in the presence of her colleagues, fellow scientists, friends and family.

Joke’s groundbreaking work has put chronobiology firmly on the international map. This was clearly reflected in the stories shared by her colleagues, Prof. Russell Foster (Oxford) and Dr. Tom de Boer (LUMC), who guided the guests through the highlights of Joke’s impressive career in their farewell speeches.

Through her research on biological clock mechanisms, she has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also contributed to practical applications in health, nature and society. In addition, she has supervised and inspired countless researchers., many of whom were present earlier that day at the annual BioClock symposium on chronobiology to share their insights.

We are incredibly grateful and proud that, over all these years, Joke has committed herself with such energy and dedication as the driving force behind the BioClock consortium. On behalf of everyone within BioClock, we warmly congratulate her on this exceptional and wholly deserved honour.