At Oncode Institute, researchers across the Netherlands work together to advance cancer research and help bring discoveries closer to patients. Behind that work is a team that supports researchers, builds partnerships and helps create the conditions for scientific breakthroughs to have real-world impact.
As Managing Director, Bertholt helps guide Oncode's long-term direction while supporting the people and collaborations that make its work possible. In this Employee Spotlight, he shares what drives his work, the projects that inspire him most and the experiences outside the office that help him recharge.
What do you actually do day-to-day at Oncode?
As Managing Director, my role is to help create the conditions that allow colleagues and researchers to do their work well.
Internally, that means supporting managers and teams across the organisation. Externally, it means ensuring that Oncode remains well positioned within the research ecosystem and continues to attract partners and funders who support our mission.
A significant part of my work involves discussing strategy with researchers, partner institutes and other organisations. Together with Scientific Director Jean Paul Medema, I help guide Oncode's long-term direction so that we can continue working towards our ambition of improving the lives of cancer patients.
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How does Oncode help connect science, patients and societal impact?
One of the unique aspects of our model is that we provide long-term, unrestricted funding to researchers. Rather than funding individual projects, we invest in talented scientists and trust them to pursue the most promising research directions.
At the same time, we take a very proactive approach to valorisation. Our teams work closely with researchers from an early stage, often before projects even begin. Because our business developers understand what is happening in the labs, we can identify opportunities at a very early stage and move them closer to the clinic.
For me, a scientific publication is not the end point. It is the beginning of the next phase. The real question is how we can turn knowledge and discoveries into treatments, technologies and approaches that ultimately benefit patients.
What achievements or developments make you particularly proud?
I am proud of the trust-based way we support our research community. In many funding systems, researchers spend enormous amounts of time writing grant proposals, often with low success rates. We take a different approach by selecting excellent researchers and giving them freedom to pursue their scientific vision.
I am also proud of our highly skilled valorisation team, which plays a crucial role in helping translate scientific discoveries into real-world impact.
Another achievement that stands out is the strong collaboration we have built with KWF. We share the same ambition and work together based on trust, respect and a common goal of improving outcomes for cancer patients.
There are also research projects that I find particularly inspiring. One example explores how hormonal cycles may influence the effectiveness of breast cancer treatments. If further studies confirm these findings, it could help improve treatment strategies for many women.
Another promising project investigates whether immunotherapy before surgery may lead to better outcomes than the current treatment sequence for certain colorectal cancer patients. If successful, this could improve patient outcomes, reduce treatment burden and lower healthcare costs. These are the kinds of developments that demonstrate how research can not only create positive impact for patients, but also can contribute to a future proof health care.
What helps you do your best work here?
What helps me most is the open and collaborative culture, both with out research community as well as within Oncode. We are a relatively small organisation, which makes it easy to connect with colleagues and discuss ideas openly.
I also enjoy being surrounded by other life sciences initiatives in our building. There is a strong community here, with people working across different organisations but sharing a common goal of strengthening the Dutch life sciences ecosystem.
Perhaps most importantly, I am inspired by the people around me. Oncode attracts highly motivated and dedicated colleagues who care deeply about our mission. Working with people who share that commitment is both energising and rewarding.
Outside of work, what’s something people might not expect about you?
Last year, I spent a month backpacking through Indonesia with my two sons and my eldest son's partner. It was the first time I had done a trip like that in almost 25 years.
We travelled across several islands, hiking, exploring and creating memories together. What made the experience special was the freedom. Apart from our flights, there was no fixed plan. We could decide each day where we wanted to go next.
For me, the trip was about sharing experiences, building memories and spending meaningful time together. Looking back, that is what made it so memorable.