Cornelis Storm

Cornelis Storm is a Full Professor and Dean of the Department of Applied Physics & Eindhoven School of Education at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He leads the Soft Matter and Biological Physics group within the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), focusing on the mechanical behavior of biological soft matter such as proteins, polymers, membranes, and tissues. His research employs multiscale modeling to bridge phenomena across spatial and temporal scales, aiming to reverse-engineer natural materials to design synthetic systems with lifelike properties.

• Education: MSc in Theoretical Physics from Leiden University; PhD in 2001 under Prof. Wim van Saarloos, Leiden University.
• Postdoctoral Experience: University of Pennsylvania, Institut Curie (Paris), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Leiden University.
• Academic Career: Assistant Professor (2007), Tenured (2009), Associate Professor (2015), Full Professor (2017) at TU/e; Visiting Professor at Harvard University (2015).

Storm’s research interests lie at the intersection of physics, biology, and materials science. He investigates how microstructure governs mechanical behavior in biological materials, with applications in biomimetic material design. His work emphasizes the dynamic and adaptive nature of living materials, which maintain functionality through self-repair and renewal.

The recent publications highlight a strong focus on mechanobiology, including cell migration, DNA mechanics, and the physical principles underlying biological gels. These works span from single-molecule studies to tissue-scale modeling, reflecting a consistent theme of multiscale analysis and the interplay between structure and function in soft biological systems.

Although no specific scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text, his publications in high-impact journals such as Nature, Nature Cell Biology, and Nature Communications indicate significant recognition in the scientific community.

Storm advises students and leads an active research group, contributing to both fundamental science and educational programs such as Biological Physics and Modeling and Simulation at the Biomolecular Scale. He has secured research grants and leads projects within ICMS, though specific grant details are not listed. His group collaborates widely, as evidenced by co-authorship with researchers from international institutions.

He is a key member of the Soft Matter and Biological Physics research group and contributes to the broader mission of the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems at TU/e, which fosters interdisciplinary research in molecular-level complexity.