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.

Planned Activities

Inaugural lecture

31 March 2026: 17:00-20:00

Auditorium B – Andreas Vesalius – Block A – Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University

https://event.ugent.be/registration/InauguralLectureInternationalCollenFrancquiChair20252026ProfDrGaryWrightMiller

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

Registration : https://event.ugent.be/registration/InauguralLectureInternationalCollenFrancquiChair20252026ProfDrGaryWrightMiller

Classes of Excellence, workshops and symposium

The lectures are organized into a series of focused sessions that examine key developments in exposomics. These sessions will address the application of exposomic approaches to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as their role in elucidating complex processes in cancer. Further attention will be given to the practical implementation of exposomics, including instrumentation, detection technologies, and mass-spectrometry–based data generation, alongside the feasibility of conducting exposomic research at biobank scale. Additional sessions will explore the relationship between the exposome and aging, the integration of multiple omics layers, and the current readiness of analytical methods to effectively “sequence” the exposome.

In addition to the classes of excellence series, two workshops will provide deeper engagement with emerging challenges and opportunities in the field. The first workshop, Science-Meets-Healthtech, will focus on technological innovations that enable advanced exposure assessment and data integration. The second workshop, Exposomics and Climate Change, will address how shifting environmental conditions reshape patterns of exposure and influence associated health risks. The International Collen-Francqui Chair events will conclude with a final symposium that brings together all insights gained throughout the events, complemented by keynote contributions from leading experts in exposomics and related disciplines.