UTMESA+MESA+ InstituteNewsDavid Fernandez Rivas selected to Global Young Academy

David Fernandez Rivas selected to Global Young Academy

David Fernandez Rivas, who is an assistant professor at the University of Twente’s MESA+ Institute, has been selected to the Global Young Academy (GYA). The GYA brings together outstanding young researchers from around the world to come together to address topics of global importance. Also, GYA acts as a facilitator and (virtual) convenor for the growing global network of National Young Academies. New members are selected for a tenure of five years.

David Fernandez Rivas on his selection: “I am convinced that a higher-structure organisation as the GYA will provide me with a "global" platform to articulate my thoughts, and join other motivated colleagues to help solving some of the urgent problems our world faces today. My past achievements have not stopped me from thinking on how I can serve more our society at an international level: belonging to the GYA will allow me to grow in that direction.”

In his mission, David actively encourages his peers in an entrepreneurial mindset. “ I propose a stronger attention to develop “innovation” or entrepreneurial mindset in scientific activities - educational and research that work not only in idyllic conditions like developed countries, but also in less fortunate parts of our world.”

About David Fernandez Rivas

David Fernandez Rivas is an assistant professor at the Mesoscale Chemical Systems (MCS) group. He received his PhD at the University of Twente in 2012, and is also a visiting scientist at the MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. David is one of the founders of BubClean, a UT spin-off that develops innovative products and technologies for ultrasonic cleaning. In 2017, David won the StartUpLaunch competition and he is working in his start-up company InkBeams on further commercialization of needle-free injection technology. Last year, he received an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council for his research on needle-free injections, by ‘pushing’ liquid into the skin using laser-made bubbles.

L.P.W. van der Velde MSc (Laurens)
Spokesperson Executive Board (EB)