Nina Hermans (1976) is full professor (100%) in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Antwerp (UAntwerp). Since 2011, Nina has been head of the Laboratory of Nutrition and Functional Food Science within Research Group NatuRAPT (Natural Products & Food Research and Analysis – Pharmaceutical Technology) in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of Antwerp. On 01/10/2023 Nina was appointed head of Research Group NatuRAPT.

The research expertise of Prof. Hermans involves two main research lines:

The first research line includes the study of the bioavailability and biotransformation of food bioactive compounds. The GIDM-COLON model, an in vitro Gastro-Intestinal Dialysis Model with colon stage (GIDM-Colon), simulating the human gastro-intestinal tract, has proven to be of major importance in the research group, boosted by the increasing awareness that in vitro assays in many cases do not reflect the in vivo situation, because the genuine natural compounds may be prodrugs that need to be metabolically activated, or are metabolised before they reach their target.

The second research line is the assessment of oxidative stress in vivo, the investigation of the role of oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome and other pathologic conditions, and the potential role of polyphenolic compounds or polyphenol-rich plant extracts in treatment or prevention of these oxidative stress related disorders. This expertise has led to numerous national and international collaborations. Over the past decade Prof. Hermans and her team have initiated and coordinated several human intervention studies, which has led to extensive in-house expertise in all aspects of intervention trials.

Apart from her research activities, Nina Hermans has several teaching and institutional responsibilities at University of Antwerp.

Since 2014 Nina Hermans has been appointed as Expert in the Commission for Advice on Plant Preparations of the Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) – Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, which assesses safety and provides guidance on plant use in food supplements on the Belgian market.