Paul H.J. Kouwer is Professor of Soft Biomaterials at Radboud University. His research combines chemistry, materials science and cell biology to develop biomimetic materials that mimic the extracellular matrix. These materials are used to study cell-matrix interactions, support organoid growth and advance regenerative medicine. He has authored over 125 scientific publications, supervised more than twenty PhD candidates and secured numerous national and international research grants. Kouwer and his group combine fundamental materials science with real-world biomedical applications. Driven by a strong interest in translating academic discoveries into practice, he founded SBMatrices in 2024 to commercialize synthetic hydrogels for animal-free cell and organoid culture. Alongside his research, he serves as Director of Education for the Institute for Molecular Sciences.