International Collen-Francqui chair 2026 : Prof. dr. Gary Wright Miller

From March to July 2026, Prof. dr. Gary Wright Miller will be a visiting professor at the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University.

Prof. dr. Gary W. Miller is a pioneering leader in the field of exposomics - the comprehensive study of how physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial factors collectively influence human biology and health. His groundbreaking work has advanced high-resolution mass spectrometry methods that enable -omic scale analysis of the human exposome, transforming how we understand environmental impacts on health, disease and biology.

At Columbia University, New York, Prof. dr. Miller serves as Vice Dean for Research Strategy and Innovation, where he fosters interdisciplinary discovery and drives forward-thinking research initiatives. Nationally, he contributes his expertise as a member of both the Advisory Panel for the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program and the National Environmental Health Sciences Advisory Council. Prof. dr. Miller is the founding editor of the journal Exposome and previously served as Editor-in-Chief of Toxicological Sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and his work continues to shape the future of health sciences.

Programme

17:00 – 18:30: Inaugural lecture

Welcome by Prof. dr. Sarah De Saeger, Director of Studies, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Introduction by Francqui Chair representative, medal by the Francqui Foundation

Inaugural lecture by Prof. dr. Gary Wright Miller

UGent medal ceremony by Rector Prof. dr. Petra De Sutter

18:30 – 20:00: Reception