The RIVM acts as an independent scientific institute committed to a healthy population and a sustainable, safe, and healthy living environment for current and future generations. The RIVM advises national and other governments, citizens, and professionals based on scientific knowledge and research, coordinates prevention programs, and is ready in times of crises.
The Director-General is the figurehead of the RIVM and ensures that the RIVM further develops as a learning organization working on societal challenges in public health and the environment. She makes necessary choices regarding innovation, digitization, and collaboration with national and international knowledge partners. Together with the RIVMs executive board, the Director-General translates the recently established RIVM2030 Strategy into concrete results, stimulates cooperation between the various directorates and with external partners, and stands for the institutes independent knowledge position.
Prof. Dr. I.W.C.E. (Isabel) Arends has held various positions at Utrecht University since 2018, including dean of the Faculty of Science and professor of Sustainable Organic Chemistry. Previously, she was head of the Biotechnology department at TU Delft. She also founded the Bioengineering Institute TU Delft, where she was director from 2016 to 2018. She studied Physical Organic Chemistry at Leiden University, where she also obtained her PhD in 1993.
This appointment was made through the procedure for the top management group of the General Administrative Service.