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Veni grant for four young UT students

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded a Veni grant to four recently graduated UT researchers. Thanks to funding of 250,000 euros, Bas Borsje, Julia Mikhal, Aimee Robbins-van Wynsberghe and Jeroen Leijten are able to start innovative research.

You can read more about the UT students and their research projects below.

Mathematics helps people with vascular diseases

Julia Mikhal - EWI faculty

Aneurysmes or stenoses in the brain represent an important clinical indication of a disease that affects many people and poses a risk of life-threatening bleeding or obstruction. Mathematical models will support the treatment process by providing quantitative insights into the future course of the disease and finding optimal treatment solutions.

Soft but safe

Bas Borsje – CTW faculty

Building with nature is a promising means of coastal protection, which contributes to the climate-proofing of our coasts and thus assists with the economic development of the coastal strip. This research examines the stability of salt marshes during storm conditions. This knowledge helps us to design soft foreshores. Borsje continues to perform his research in the Department of Water Engineering and Management (Prof. Suzanne Hulscher) and was first in the STW ranking.

Addressing Ethical Challenges of the Service Robot Revolution

Aimee Robbins-van Wynsberghe – BMS faculty

It is predicted that the 21st century will be the century of service robots. The decisions we take affect both the good and bad properties of these robots. In her research, Robbins-Van Wynsberghe focuses on the question of whether ethical aspects are tested during the development and implementation of robots. With this Veni grant she is designing a new ethical approach to the development of service robots for this purpose.

Smart building blocks for a full recovery

Jeroen Leijten – TNW faculty, MIRA Institute

Every tissue in our body is made up of tiny functional units. In this project, Jeroen Leijten will create various tiny functional units. These units will be used as building blocks for the creation of complex tissues. These complex tissues can be used as a replacement for worn, damaged or lost organs.

Encouraging scientific talent

The young researchers will be able to further develop their scientific ideas during the next three years thanks to the NWO Veni grant. A Veni grant is worth a maximum of 250,000 euros and is one of the individual forms of finance provided by NWO to encourage scientific talent. The scientists perform research into a wide variety of subjects.

Veni grant recipients obtained their doctorate no more than three years ago. They are free to choose their own research topic. Veni is part of NWO's prestigious innovation impulse consisting of Veni, Vidi and Vici. NWO offers scientists at different stages in their career the opportunity to perform groundbreaking research. More information can be found on the NWO website.