Ewine van Dishoeck

Summary

Professor Ewine van Dishoeck is a world-leading molecular astrophysicist at Leiden University, holding the Chair of Molecular Astrophysics within the Leiden Observatory. She leads research on astrochemistry and star/planet formation mechanisms, utilizing cutting-edge facilities like ALMA and the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). Her work bridges observational data with laboratory experiments and theoretical models.

Affiliations

• Scientific Director of NOVA (Netherlands Research School for Astronomy)
• External Scientific Member at Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics

Education

Completed degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics at Leiden University (BSc 1976, MSc 1980, PhD 1984 under Prof. Habing and Dalgarno).

Research

Focuses on:

• Molecular line diagnostics of star-forming regions
• Laboratory astrophysics simulating interstellar ices
• Radiative transfer modeling of protoplanetary disks
• Chemical evolution from clouds to planets

Awards

Honors include the Spinoza Prize (Netherlands' highest science award) and multiple international medals for astrochemical research.

Advising & Grants

Supervised 30+ PhD students and led major projects like NOVA's 'Birth and Death of Stars and Planets' network. Active in ALMA Science Advisory Committee and IAU astrochemistry working group.

Labs/Teams

Leads the Laboratory for Astrophysics at Leiden, collaborating with chemists and engineers to simulate interstellar environments.