KNAW elects 16 new members
The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) has elected 16 new members. Eleven of the members have been appointed to the Science Division, including Nynke Dekker, Renate Loll, Huib Bakker, Hans Kuipers, Anna Akhmanova and Joost Reek.
Nynke Dekker is vice-chair of the Executive Board of FOM. She is Professor of Molecular Biophysics at Delft University of Technology and works at the interface of physics and biology: she does research into the physical properties of biological molecules. For example, Dekker studies the mechanism of cell replication in living bacterial cells. With her self-designed instruments that can make measurements at the nanoscale, such as the magnetic torque tweezers, she can also investigate the functioning of proteins that influence the coiling of DNA. A better understanding of what happens at the molecular level in the cell is crucial in the longer term for the development of new medicines. Dekker has a broad influence in the scientific world.
Renate Loll is a member of the Governing Board of FOM. She is Professor of Theoretical Physics at Radboud University Nijmegen and works on a mathematical description of space and time that can provide an answer to questions such as 'why does space have three dimensions and time just one?'. Ultimately she wants to be able to derive space and time from a single fundamental law. To achieve that she combines physics with mathematics. She uses computer simulations to build model versions of the universe that she then compares with the theories of Einstein. With this approach she develops new ideas about quantum gravitation. In the field of high-energy physics, Loll has a considerable international reputation.
Huib Bakker is Professor of Spectroscopy at the University of Amsterdam and FOM Institute AMOLF. He is an international expert in research into the properties of water and ice. Bakker developed a special infrared technique that makes it possible to determine the movement and interaction of water molecules. The new insights that this yielded about the behaviour of water molecules are now being applied in the food industry, energy storage and water purification.
Hans Kuipers is FOM workgroup leader and Professor of Multiscale Modeling of Multiphase Flows at Eindhoven University of Technology. He works on understanding flows that consist of several phases, such as fluid-gas or gas-solid. Using highly advanced computer simulations Kuipers develops accurate models for new chemical reactors in the processing industry to produce, among others, synthetic fuels, fertiliser, washing powder, polymers and a large number of other products on a large-scale. His work enjoys worldwide fame.
Anna Akhmanova is FOM workgroup leader and Professor of Cell Biology at Utrecht University. She is a highly creative researcher in the area of cell biology of the cytoskeleton. She uses hypermodern techniques to look into cells, especially at the movement of cell components and the infrastructure of the cell that is necessary for transporting information and building materials. If the transport in the cell becomes disrupted neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's can develop. Akhmanova’s research into the internal organisation of the cell has received widespread international acclaim.
Joost Reek is FOM workgroup leader and Professor of Supramolecular Catalysis at the University of Amsterdam. This research focuses on the development of supramolecular concepts in catalysis. For this he draws inspiration from examples in nature. His work in the area of catalysis enjoys worldwide scientific recognition and it also has commercial potential. In 2013 he received an ERC Advanced Grant for his research into catalysis inspired by nature.
Members of the KNAW are prominent scientists from all disciplines. Each year the Academy members elect new members on the basis of scientific merit.
The complete list of new members can be found on the KNAW website.