Heidi Lammers-van der Holst

‘One in five workers face disrupted sleep and circadian misalignment. I aim to turn scientific insights into solutions that protect their health and performance.’

I am driven by a strong commitment to translate science into practice and creating impact for society. I am an Assistant Professor at Erasmus MC, where I head the research line Shift Work, Sleep, and Circadian Health and co-lead the Occupational Health Research Group within the Program Prevention & Equity.

As a board member of the Working Time Society, I am active in the international research community, building on a career that began at Stanford University and continues with my affiliation at Harvard Medical School.

As a national and international expert in Shift Work research, I bring together Sleep Medicine, Human Chronobiology, and Occupational Health. My team investigates the biological mechanisms of circadian disruption, using biomarkers to understand why individuals tolerate shift work differently. By considering diversity factors such as sex, age, and lifestyle, we work toward personalized interventions that support both health and performance in the workforce.

I am particularly passionate about advancing women’s health in relation to shift work, as well as designing innovative preventive measures for diverse occupational groups. Currently, together with (inter)national partners, my team conducts intervention studies in healthcare and industry, targeting both organizational and individual levels. For example, within the national Bioclock consortium, we develop personalized sleep and nutrition interventions, while through the European Horizon project Shift2Health, we focus on strategies for those at high risk of obesity due to circadian disruption.

Beyond research, I am a scientist, educator, science communicator, author, and public speaker, with over 20 years of experience in applied research, teaching, and consultancy. I also coordinate the Women’s Health Taskforce-Public Health, reflecting my dedication to diversity, equity, and real-world impact.

Altogether, my work bridges fundamental science with practical solutions, helping those who work around the clock live healthier, more sustainable lives.