Researchers at the Faculty of Science work at the frontiers of knowledge every day, tackling today's major societal challenges. Their work is recognised through grants, prizes and other awards. We highlight some of these achievements below.
Using artificial intelligence to understand plant stress
Plant biologist Pingtao Ding has been awarded a €150,000 ERC Proof of Concept grant. Through his project, GRASP, he is exploring how artificial intelligence can help researchers better understand how plants respond to stress caused by drought, heat and disease. By mapping complex genetic processes, the project aims to contribute to the development of stronger, more resilient crops, supporting the future of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
€3.2 million for vegetation research from space
How can we monitor the health of nature from space? NWO is investing €3.2 million in the ASCENT research project, in which Dutch universities and research institutes are collaborating on innovative ways to monitor ecosystems using satellite data. The project builds on previous research.
One of the researchers involved is Marco Visser of Leiden University. Together with SRON, he is developing new algorithms that combine satellite observations with atmospheric measurements to improve the detection of changes in vegetation and ecosystems.
The sharpest eyes in space: award for Louis Desdoigts
Astronomer Louis Desdoigts has significantly improved the performance of the James Webb Space Telescope through software he developed. One of the telescope's most precise imaging instruments initially did not perform as expected, and his software provided the solution.
As a result, researchers can now capture exceptionally sharp images of, among other things, volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io, dust surrounding stars and distant galaxies. In recognition of this achievement, Desdoigts received the Emerging Leaders in Astronomy Software Development Prize from the Astronomical Society of Australia.
Six Open Competition ENW-XS grants awarded
Six researchers from the Faculty of Science have received an NWO Open Competition ENW-XS grant. These grants, worth up to €50,000 each, support innovative and high-risk research that explores new scientific directions.
Balancing growth and disease resistance in plants
Pingtao Ding is investigating how plants balance growth with protection against disease. By studying immune responses in roots in detail, he hopes to identify new ways of making crops both more productive and more resistant to pathogens.
A new generation of antivenom for snakebite
Sebastian Geibel is developing AI-designed synthetic molecules capable of neutralising snake venom toxins. This research could pave the way for safer, more reliable and animal-free alternatives to traditional antivenoms.
Targeting cancer metastasis
Madeline Kavanagh is developing molecules that break down a protein involved in the spread of cancer. Her research could lead to a new strategy for preventing metastasis and improving survival rates for cancer patients.
Smarter materials for data encryption
Lucía López Gandul is investigating advanced materials that emit circularly polarised light and could be used for data encryption. Her goal is to develop time-dependent security systems that are better equipped to withstand increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
Personalised treatment for leukaemia
Ephraim Prantl is developing a modified version of an existing nanomedicine for patients with secondary acute myeloid leukaemia. By tailoring the treatment to patients' genetic differences, she hopes to significantly improve its effectiveness.
Searching for heat-resilient crops
Kiki Spaninks is studying how genetic signals move through plants and contribute to heat tolerance. The findings could help researchers develop crops that are better able to cope with climate change and help prevent future food shortages.
