Carla Hollak, MD, PhD, internist specialized in inherited metabolic diseases at Amsterdam UMC, is Professor of 'Medicines and Society' at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). Twenty years ago, shewas instrumental in establishing the department for adult metabolic diseases and laid thefoundation for the expertise center for inherited metabolic diseases at Amsterdam UMC. Herresearch has focused on both clinical and fundamental aspects of lysosomal storage disorders,including the rational use of new therapies. Her experience with medicines for rare diseases formedthe basis for launching the 'Medicijn voor de Maatschappij' (Medicine for Society) platform, whichpromotes academic drug development and accessibility through scientific research and societaltranslation. This initiative has recently been continued and expanded in collaboration with variousuniversity medical centers through the establishment of the RARE-NL foundation, of which she is thechair. She serves on various advisory committees and is a member of the Royal NetherlandsAcademy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).