Two young researchers head to top institutes with Rubicon grant

Two promising UG academics, Dr Michael Lerch and Sanne van Dijk, will be able to conduct research at top institutes abroad for two years thanks to the Rubicon programme organized by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).

Intelligent materials move forward

Nature inspires researchers to create new, intelligent materials that react to their environments. Dr Michael Lerch’s research strives towards designing brushes at a nano-scale, whereby the movements can be controlled by differently coloured lights. Lerch will carry out this research for two years at Harvard University in the United States.

Medical images as a guide for better cancer treatment

The growing quantity of medical images can help to better predict which patients react less well to cancer treatments. Sanne van Dijk will develop innovative prediction models and further use these to select high-risk patients for a new intensive radiation therapy for tumours. Van Dijk will work as a researcher at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the United States for two years.

About Rubicon

The NWO Rubicon programme enables young researchers to acquire international research experience to help kick-start their academic careers.