Royal Honour for Professor Maria Hopman Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau

On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Professor of Integrative Physiology Maria Hopman received a Royal Honour. The award ceremony took place during the start of the Four Days Marches (4Daagse), the walking event where she has been conducting research for 17 years into the effects of walking on health. Maria Hopman received the distinction from Hubert Bruls, mayor of the municipality of Nijmegen. Hopman was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau. 

As Professor of Integrative Physiology at Radboudumc, Maria Hopman has long been researching the relationship between physical activity, nutrition, and health. Her work focuses on understanding why physical inactivity leads to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, and how movement and nutrition can support vitality and healthy aging. 

Since her appointment as professor in 2007, Hopman has played a significant role in both Dutch and international research in exercise physiology. She has published over 300 scientific articles, supervised more than 35 PhD candidates, and leads the large-scale Nijmegen Exercise Study each year. Her research during the Zevenheuvelenloop (Seven Hills Run) on body temperature in runners has not only yielded new scientific insights but also led to improved safety policies for running events. 

In addition to her research, Hopman—who studied Medicine—is actively involved in education. She teaches students in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and contributes to curriculum development. In 2011, she was named Teacher of the Year. She has also held various administrative roles in education, including chairing the ‘Mechanisms of Health’ curriculum line and serving on the examination board. 

4Days Marches Research

A key part of Maria Hopman’s work is her long-standing involvement in the Four Days Marches, the largest walking event in the world. Since 2007, she has conducted annual research among participants, focusing on the effects of prolonged physical activity on the body. These studies have resulted in over 50 publications in scientific journals. 

She is also a member of the event’s Medical Service, where she translates scientific findings into practical recommendations for the organization, especially in cases of extreme heat. Based on her advice, the route on the first day was adjusted. Furthermore, while it was long assumed that the second day was the most physically demanding, Hopman’s research showed that the first day is actually the toughest. 

Bridging science and society

Hopman is skilled at translating scientific research into practical advice for the general public. Through concrete recommendations on nutrition and health, she reaches vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups. She does this via media appearances, lectures, and public campaigns, including an annual tear-off calendar promoting healthy lifestyles. 

She is also involved in several national committees. Within the Health Council of the Netherlands, she is a member of the Nutrition Committee and previously served on the Physical Activity Guidelines Committee. Additionally, she contributes to the Dutch Obesity Clinic, the Knowledge Centre for Sport and Physical Activity and the Nijmegen Urban Network. 

In recent years, her focus has expanded on the impact of climate change on health, researching how people can adapt to warmer conditions. In doing so, she connects health, environment, and societal challenges in a practical and accessible way.

In this photo: Hubert Bruls, mayor of Nijmegen, and Maria Hopman, Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau.

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