In Op zoek naar de verloren balans (In Search of the Lost Balance), Prof. dr. Ramon explored the pursuit of equilibrium, within cells and molecules, but also in medicine and society. The title deliberately echoes Marcel Proust’s masterpiece In Search of Lost Time, in which “lost time” symbolizes forgotten or overlooked experiences that can be recovered through memory. Prof. dr. Ramon Arens transformed this literary image into a scientific metaphor.
At the cellular and molecular level, the immune system depends on a delicate balance, and its disruption can lead to disease. At the medical and societal level, innovation must be balanced with ethics, fairness, and accessibility. From a scientific perspective, Prof. dr. Ramon highlighted how advancing our understanding of T-cell immunity can restore immune balance and open the way to more effective treatments for cancer, infections, and immune-mediated diseases. Beyond the laboratory, he framed this quest as part of a broader societal mission, fostering resilience, health, and justice.
Speaking in the beautiful and historic Lokhorstkerk, and surrounded by professors, mentors, colleagues, friends, and family, Prof. Arens shared a vision that bridges cutting-edge science with the well-being of individuals and communities, inviting his audience to reflect on the intersection of knowledge, health, and humanity.