Alumni videos

Where are AmSIA-Alumni now?

We have interviewed alumni of the Amsterdam Science & Innovation award. Watch their stories to see how the AmSIA has supported their exciting journey.

Zeliha Guler, Amsterdam UMC: Wound healing implants

AmSIA winner 2023, Zeliha Guler, developed a groundbreaking biodegradable implant tot mimic natural tissue and promote healing. A safer, more effective solution for women’s health!

Olivier Lugier, University of Amsterdam: sustainable nanomaterials

AmSIA winner 2023, Olivier Lugier, introduced an innovative approach to green synthesis of hybrid core-shell nanoparticles through his project — now start-up— called Nano Hybrids.

Arnon Lesage, UvA: innovating agriculture for more sustainability

Scientist Arnon Lesage, AmSIA winner in 2021, is now CEO of start-up SolarFoil that develops a new type of nano foil that converts sunlight into optimal light for more efficient agriculture and horticulture.

Imran Avci, Vrije Universiteit: revolutionizing early cancer diagnosis

In 2021,researcher Imran Avci pitched a game-changing idea at AmSIA to revolutionize early cancer diagnosis. Her innovation, based on a powerful photonic microchip, could make early detection affordable, accessible, and part of routine  healthcare—saving countless lives worldwide.

Sem Vijverberg, Vrije Universiteit: clever solutions in times of climate change

Sem Vijverberg, pre-finalist in 2021, works on long-range weather predictions that can play an important role in dealing with climate change and challenges such as potential crop failures and forest fires.

Edcel Salumbides, Vrije Universiteit: revolutionizing early cancer diagnosis

Edcel Salumbides took part in the AmSIA in 2021 and 2023. A researcher developing extremely sensitive and specific spectroscopic techniques  at VU Laser Lab Amsterdam — innovations such as breathalyzers to detect illnesses or substances can become real!

Marissa de Boer and Chris Slootweg, UvA: resourcing phosphate waste

In 2019, the research team of Chris Slootweg and Marissa de Boer won the award with the idea to recover phosphate waste as a resource and convert it into high value products.

Jonathan Coutinho & Wouter Potters, Amsterdam UMC: identifying stroke patients in ambulances

In 2018, Jonathan Coutinho and Wouter Potters, won the award with the idea to measure the severity of the situation of a stroke patient in the ambulance with a mobile scanner.

Nathalie de Vent, UvA: improving neuropsychological diagnostics

In 2017, Nathalie de Vent won the award with the idea for a new online infrastructure for the improvement of neuropsychological diagnostics to test whether patients have a brain disease.

Bram Schermers, NKI:  improving breast cancer treatment

In 2016, Bram Schermers won the award with the idea for a magnetic localization technology that helps surgeons find the right tissue during surgery for breast cancer treatment.

Maaike van Rest, VU: understanding children’s perceptions

Maaike van Rest was a finalist in 2014. She registered with the idea for a diagnostic instrument that identifies the strengths and weaknesses of social information processing of children.