Previous Impact Awards

Since 2018 the Impact Award has been awarded to researchers who accomplished an important contribution to society with their research and impressive innovations. The following researchers received the Impact Award:

2023

Photography by Caren Huygelen, from left to right: Guus van Dongen, Toby Kiers, Dick den Hertog

Guus van Dongen (Amsterdam UMC), developed new imaging techniques to visualize the behaviour of medicines in the body at molecular level. One way is to make drugs slightly radioactive so that they light up on a scan, used f.i. in cancer treatments.

Toby Kiers (VU), researches underground ecosystems. She discovered that fungi under the ground behave according to economic principles. They exchange nutrients with the plant roots with which they enter into symbioses. High biodiversity helps with this, but it is precisely that biodiversity that is under pressure.

Dick den Hertog (UvA), shows that mathematical optimization can provide solutions for a wide variety of societal problems, whether it concerns optimization of the dike heights in the Netherlands, the locations of hospitals in countries such as Timor-Leste and Vietnam or the food chains of the World Food Programme.

2021

Halleh Ghorashi (VU) conducts research on refugees and diversity. Her research focuses mainly on the stories of refugees and migrants. Aiding to the changing perspective of policy makers.

Hergen Spits (UvA and Amsterdam UMC) conducts scientific research into B cells. These are the cells in the human body that make antibodies. Which supports the recovery of patients with a virus infection or cancer.

Jeroen Kluck (HvA) conducts research into climate adaptation in cities. His research results leading to municipalities bringing it to practice to create more climate-resilient cities.

2019

Erwin Peterman (VU), professor of Physics and Living Systems, and Gijs Wuite (VU), professor of Physics and Life Processes received the award for commercializing their high-quality optical tweezers and fluorescence microscope for fundamental research, aiding cell research.

Jaap Bonjer (Amsterdam UMC), professor of surgery, received the award for the establishment of the Amsterdam Skills Center for Health Sciences (ASC), that aids surgical training.

Roeland van Geuns (HvA), Professor of Poverty Interventions, received the Award for his research on poverty and debt issues. Van Geuns has managed to make a difference to people who live from day to day.

2018

Erik Scherder (VU), professor Clinical Neuropsychology, received an Impact Award for his important contribution in bringing knowledge about the brain to a wider audience. With his love for the brain and the patient he has meant a lot for al lot of people; for young people with severe injuries to seniors with a cerebral infarction or dementia.

Marcel van Herk (Netherlands Cancer Institute), professor of Radiotherapy Physics, received an Impact Award for his important contribution to the development of image guided radiation therapy. The accuracy of radiotherapy has improved considerably, saving countless lives or prolonging them.