Robert A.J. Oostendorp is Professor of Experimental Hematology at the Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine III in Germany (since 2000). He studied Medicinal Chemistry (MSc, 1987) and holds a PhD in Experimental Pathology of the Free University Amsterdam, the Netherlands (1992). His Postdoctoral work was performed in Munich, Germany (HelmHoltz Center, 1992-1996), Vancouver, Canada (Terry Fox Laboratory, 1996-1998), and in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (Erasmus University). Robert studies how hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are regulated by the function of the cells of the microenvironment, also called, the niche. Robert published over 100 papers, and serves as speaker of the DFG Research Unit FOR 2033: NicHem in which researchers from different locations and expertises work together to understand regulatory aspects of the interactions between HSCs and niche cells.