A hopeful start to the year: ‘As a university, we can make the world a better place’
Working together in times of change. With enthusiasm, passion and connection as our keywords. That was the message emphasised by administrators Jasper Knoester and Luc Sels at the start of this new year for our Science faculty. ‘Hope for a better world means working together actively towards progress.’
Dean Jasper Knoester kicked off the New Year's reception in the atrium of the Gorlaeus Building. Despite the snow, the room was well filled. Knoester spoke about the current times of change and uncertainty and our role as a university in this.
Opportunities for the future
With the strategic plan in hand, he set the course for the coming year. The agenda includes Academia in Motion – career paths for academic and support staff, the reform of our educational logistics and research themes. He also announced the theme leaders for the research areas.
There are plenty of opportunities for our faculty, Knoester emphasised. There will be a new government, we are expanding our tech activities, such as the Beethoven programme and the collaboration within Key Region Leiden. Furthermore, a new wing will be added to the Gorlaeus Building with space for the IBL, the LION and hopefully also for the CML.
-
Dean Jasper Knoester during his New Year's speech -
Dean Jasper Knoester during his New Year's speech -
The theme leaders from left to right: Aske Plaat, Mario van der Stelt, Sebastiaan Haffert andBas Hensen -
Together we start the new year
Next to speak was Meindert Lamers, professor of Structural Biology and director of NeCEN, the Dutch centre for cryo-electron microscopy located in the Gorlaeus Building. Lamers beams when he talks about his work. Conducting research into the structures of proteins using state-of-the-art microscopes is ‘the really cool stuff’ for him. ‘By studying these proteins, we are investigating life from its very beginnings,’ Lamers argues. ‘And that helps researchers to discover new medicines.’
‘The coolest microscopes are in Leiden’
Researchers can turn to NeCEN for data on biological structures, from cells to proteins. The facility has several high-tech microscopes. Thanks to a recently obtained grant, an ultra-modern microscope will be added this year. ‘Leiden has the coolest microscopes in the Netherlands,’ says Lamers. ‘With this new microscope, we will soon be able to deliver even better data in high resolution even faster.’
-
Meindert Lamers gave a Tuesday Talk about NeCEN -
Meindert Lamers gave a Tuesday Talk about NeCEN -
Meindert Lamers gave a Tuesday Talk about NeCEN
A proud board member who preaches enthusiasm
Next up was Luc Sels, who has been chair of our university’s Executive Board since November. ‘I am new,’ he emphasised, ‘and so are my colleagues on this board. Please be patient with us,’ he continued with a sense of humor. He then went on to emphasise seriously that he is proud to be part of our university's story.
A time of political change in the Netherlands, and of a new research framework that will take shape in Brussels in the coming period and that will determine investments for the period 2028 to 2034. ‘That is an important task for me in the coming period,’ explained Sels. He also wanted to preach enthusiasm. ‘Let's hope together for a better world. Not passively, but let's actively contribute ideas focused on progress.’
-
President of the Executive Board Luc Sels during his new year's speech -
President of the Executive Board Luc Sels during his new year's speech -
President of the Executive Board Luc Sels during his new year's speech
Talented students and researchers
Finally, in keeping with tradition, the faculty prizes were awarded. Jelle Oonk won the Young Talent Award, the prize for the best bachelor's thesis, for his research on neutrinos. Thanks to his great dedication, Thomas Moerland was named teacher of the year, and statistician Tyron Lardy won the prize for the best thesis.
-
Thomas Moerland wins the Teacher of the Year award -
Teachers Thijs Bosker en Onno van Gaans are runner-up -
Jelle Oonk wins the Young Talent Award for his bachelor's thesis -
Tyron Lardy wins the prize for the best PhD thesis -
Part of the nominated PhD candidates, from left to right: Diederick Vermetten, Tyron lardy (winner), Mario Béquignon represents Marina Gonzalez and Guido Stam -
Nominees for Teacher of the Year -
Part of the nominated bachelor students, from left to right: Lance Bakker, Femke van Dijk, Jelle Oonk (winner) and Jonas Bergwerff -
The nominated bachelor students with professor Ewine van Dishoeck, whose fund makes this award possible. -
The committee that chooses the Teacher of the Year
Photos by Monique Shaw.