Prof. Rob Timmermans is a Professor of Theoretical Physics and Vice-Dean for Education at the University of Groningen (UG). He is affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Precision Frontier — Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics and Gravity. His research focuses on theoretical particle physics, quantum mechanics, and precision measurements, particularly in electric dipole moment (EDM) searches using molecules like BaF. His work includes developing methods for molecular beam manipulation, phase-space analysis, and symmetry violation studies. He has contributed to collaborations such as NL-eEDM, advancing techniques for EDM detection and precision physics. Prof. Timmermans has received nominations for teaching awards, reflecting his commitment to education. Research highlights include studies on nucleon decay, antinucleon-nucleon interactions, and chiral effective field theory. His lab activities involve collaborations on laser-cooled molecules and trapping techniques. Prof. Timmermans’ articles often address fundamental physics questions, such as Lorentz violation in beta decay and parity violation in molecular systems. Awards: Nominated for Faculty Teaching Award 2014, Teacher of the Year 2014-15. Grants/Advising: Leads projects on EDM searches and particle physics, with active roles in international collaborations. Labs/Teams: Van Swinderen Institute, Precision Frontier group.
Ulf Hanefeld is a Full Professor and Section Leader in the Department of Biotechnology at the Faculty of Applied Sciences , Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) , where he leads the Biocatalysis research section. His work integrates chemistry and biology to develop sustainable synthetic methodologies using enzymes. PhD from Georg-August-Universität zu Göttingen (1993) Postdoctoral experience at Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, and TU Delft Recipient of a Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) fellowship His research interests center on biocatalysis , particularly enzymes that enable difficult chemical transformations such as C–C bond formation , enantioselective hydration , and ozonolysis . He focuses on enzyme discovery, engineering, immobilization, and application in flow chemistry to achieve sustainable and efficient synthesis. His work spans from fundamental enzyme mechanism studies to industrial applications in green chemistry . The publication trends reveal a consistent focus on enzyme immobilization , flow reactor systems , and chemo-enzymatic cascades . His recent work emphasizes the use of hydroxynitrile lyases , aldolases , and methyltransferases for the synthesis of chiral intermediates under environmentally benign conditions. The integration of biocatalysis with continuous manufacturing highlights a strong commitment to industrial applicability and process sustainability. Scientific contributions and recognition : Active contributor to high-impact journals in chemistry and biotechnology Coordinated research in the CassaFLOW project (international academic-industrial collaboration) Author of influential reviews, e.g., in Chemical Society Reviews (2022) Teaching and supervision : He teaches Catalysis (Bachelor) and Advanced Biocatalysis (Master), and supervises numerous Master’s theses (MEP) and Bachelor’s projects (BEP) . Students in his group are actively involved in research and often become co-authors on scientific papers. Projects center on green chemistry, enzyme engineering, and spectroscopic analysis of biochemical systems. Laboratory and research environment : The Ulf Hanefeld Group operates within the Biocatalysis section, a multidisciplinary environment fostering collaboration on enzyme discovery, immobilization, and cascade reactions. The group emphasizes practical innovation, with strong links to industry and international research networks.
Prof. dr. Steven Hoekstra is an Associate Professor of Atomic and Molecular Physics at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, within the Van Swinderen Institute. His research focuses on precision measurements using cold molecules to explore fundamental physics, including Stark deceleration, laser cooling, and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. He leads the NL-eEDM program at Nikhef, investigating the electron's electric dipole moment. Hoekstra is also involved in educational innovation, having received the Teacher of the Year award (2020) and a Senior Teacher Qualification (2023). He has supervised over 11 PhD theses and currently mentors 5 students. His work combines experimental techniques with theoretical insights, addressing questions like symmetry violations and quantum dynamics. Key projects include manipulating BaF molecules with electrostatic fields and exploring levitated nanoparticles as sensors. Hoekstra has secured major grants, including NWO VICI (2022) and VIDI (2013), and collaborates internationally on projects like the European Strategy for particle physics. Recent articles highlight advancements in molecular beam control, spin-precession methods for EDM searches, and opportunities in radioactive molecules. He actively participates in the Physics Olympiad Netherlands as chair, contributing to science outreach and education.
Nikolay A. Kosinov is an Assistant Professor in Molecular Heterogeneous Catalysis at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. His research focuses on novel microporous catalytic materials for converting natural gas and CO2 into liquid fuels/chemicals. He holds a MSc from Novosibirsk State University (2010) and a PhD from TU/e (2014), followed by postdoctoral research at TU/e and TU Delft before joining TU/e as faculty in 2018. Education : MSc in Chemistry, Novosibirsk State University (2010) PhD in Chemical Engineering, TU Eindhoven (2014) Research Interests : Development of single-site catalysts, structure-activity relationships via operando spectroscopy, and catalytic mechanisms for unconventional gas transformations. Key areas include CO2 methanation, hydrogenation processes, and sustainable energy materials. Recent Research Trends : Recent work emphasizes bimetallic catalyst design, flame-synthesized materials, and operando studies to understand reaction mechanisms in real-time. His publications address challenges in CO2 utilization and methane activation through advanced catalytic systems. Awards : ERC Consolidator Grant (2024) NWO-M1 Grant (2024) NWO-XS Grants (2021, 2020) Teaching & Supervision : Teaches courses like Characterization of Materials and Modern Concepts in Catalysis. Supervises 43 research projects focusing on catalytic materials and sustainable processes. Labs/Teams : Active in the Inorganic Materials Chemistry research group at TU/e, collaborating on heterogeneous catalysis and sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to clean energy and climate action.
Alberto G. Curto is an Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology, specializing in nanophotonics and semiconductor optoelectronics. He leads research on light-matter interactions at the nanoscale, focusing on atomically thin semiconductors and chiral nanophotonics applications. His work spans sensing, imaging, and spectroscopy, with contributions to directional light emission and chiral detection technologies. Education BSc in Physics, Universidad de Salamanca (2002–2007) MSc and PhD in Photonics, ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences (2008–2013) Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University (2013–2016) Research Interests Curto’s research explores semiconductor nanophotonics for sensing and imaging, leveraging atomically thin materials and chiral optics. Key areas include: Enhanced light-matter interactions using nano-optical structures Chiral detection via dielectric resonators and metasurfaces Exciton dynamics in 2D semiconductors Publications His work emphasizes practical applications of nanophotonics, with recent studies on chiral sensing enhancement, silicon metasurfaces, and exciton manipulation. Over 47 peer-reviewed articles highlight his contributions to light confinement and directional emission. Awards ERC Starting Grant (2020) NWO START-UP Grant (2018) OSA Senior Member (2021) ICFO PhD Thesis Award (2014) Grants & Projects He leads the Zwaartekracht PSN Research Centre for Integrated Nanophotonics (2014–2025), focusing on nanowires, photonic crystals, and photonics applications. Labs & Teams His research group at TU Eindhoven develops novel nanophotonic devices and chiral sensing platforms, collaborating on projects like the ERC CHANSON grant.
Dr. Sonja Pullen is a Visiting Professor at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science, affiliated with the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences. Her research focuses on photocatalysis, coordination chemistry, and supramolecular systems, with particular emphasis on developing sustainable energy conversion technologies. Key areas include molecular catalyst design, confined-space catalysis, and light-driven chemical transformations. Her work integrates advanced spectroscopic techniques (e.g., ultrafast spectroscopy) to study catalytic mechanisms, particularly in systems like diiron complexes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Recent projects explore oxygen-tolerant catalysts, substrate-binding effects in photocatalytic dehalogenation, and the role of hydrogen bonding in catalytic activity. She also investigates functional materials such as coordination cages for artificial photosynthesis. Dr. Pullen’s publications highlight breakthroughs in catalyst stability, reaction selectivity, and energy-efficient processes. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges organic/inorganic chemistry, materials science, and renewable energy applications. Current trends in her work emphasize environmental sustainability and scalable photocatalytic systems for hydrogen production and CO2 conversion. Her lab at the Van 't Hoff Institute collaborates widely on topics like molecular encapsulation, MOF functionalization, and bioinspired catalysts. Ongoing projects aim to enhance photocatalytic efficiency through structural design and confinement strategies.
Francesca Grisoni serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), where she currently leads the Molecular Machine Learning team. She additionally holds appointments as an ICMS Core member and Associate Professor at EAISI (Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute), reflecting her cross-disciplinary role at the intersection of computational science and biomedical applications. Academic Background : Grisoni completed her Environmental Sciences degree and earned a Ph.D. in 2016 from the University of Milano-Bicocca, where her dissertation focused on interpretable machine learning for molecular property prediction. During doctoral studies, she conducted research at ETH Zurich's Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences and the U.S. EPA's National Center for Computational Toxicology. Ph.D., University of Milano-Bicocca, 2016 (Dissertation: Interpretable machine learning for molecular property prediction) Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca Her research integrates artificial intelligence, chemistry, and biology to develop computational methods for drug discovery, emphasizing wet-lab experimental validation alongside algorithmic innovation. Key focus areas include overcoming activity cliffs in molecular machine learning, generative modeling for scaffold hopping, and AI-augmented decision-making in therapeutic development, with the ultimate goal of achieving 'better decisions faster' in drug discovery pipelines. Analysis of her recent 2025 publications reveals a concentrated trend toward chemical language models and generative deep learning frameworks, specifically addressing low-data drug discovery challenges through active learning and neural network architectures. These works bridge computer science with pharmacology, targeting bioactivity prediction, molecular representation, and enzyme design while maintaining strong ties to experimental validation. Scientific Awards : Lush Young Researcher Prize Early Career Award 2022 from the Dutch Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) ERC Starting Grant (2022) Grants and Supervision : Dr. Grisoni secured the prestigious ERC Starting Grant in 2022 to advance her molecular machine learning research. Institutional records indicate she has supervised 7 students (as shown in TU/e's 'Supervised Work (7)' repository section), though specific names aren't provided in the source material. Her group maintains active industry collaborations, including past engagement with Bracco Pharmaceuticals. Laboratory and Team : The Molecular Machine Learning team operates under the ICMS and EAISI frameworks, merging computational AI development with experimental wet-lab validation. This collaborative unit focuses on fragment-based molecular design, chirality representation (evidenced by fragSMILES work), and high-throughput nanoparticle identification using machine learning, as highlighted in recent press coverage and datasets.
Prof. Wouter Roos is a Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, affiliated with the Molecular Biophysics department at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. His research focuses on viral dynamics, membrane assemblies, and protein mechanics, utilizing advanced techniques like High Speed Atomic Force Microscopy (HS-AFM) and optical tweezers. Education: Studied Physics at the Universiteit van Amsterdam, earned a PhD from the Universität Heidelberg under Joachim Spatz. Conducted postdoctoral research at Max-Planck-Institut, Institut Curie, and Vrije Universiteit before joining Groningen in 2015. Research Interests: Physical Virology (viral material properties and dynamics), membrane biophysics (synthetic cells and lipid interactions), and molecular motor systems. His work bridges physics, chemistry, and biology to understand nanoscale biological processes. Recent Article Trends: Studies on hybrid membranes for synthetic cells, leukemic cell mechanics, and antibiotic-membrane interactions highlight his interdisciplinary approach. Key techniques include HS-AFM and single-particle tracking. Awards: Received a VIDI grant and multiple national/international grants. His lab leads the oLife Co-Fund consortium and participates in the MOSBRI research infrastructure. Grants & Leadership: Coordinates the oLife Fellowship Programme and chairs the Molecular Biophysics Lab. Active in steering committees for EU-funded initiatives. Labs/Teams: Heads the Molecular Biophysics Lab, focusing on viral dynamics and membrane systems. Collaborates globally on projects like ESCRT-III polymerization and antibiotic mechanisms.
René A.J. Janssen is a Full Professor and University Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), leading the interdisciplinary Molecular Materials and Nanosystems group. His roles span departments in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Applied Physics, and affiliations with ICMS Core, EIRES Research, and Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry. He holds a MSc (1983) and PhD (1987) from TU/e, with postdoctoral research at UC Santa Barbara. His research focuses on functional molecular materials for solar energy applications, including organic/polymer solar cells, solar-to-fuel systems, and nanoscale material interactions. Education: MSc Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, TU/e (1983, cum laude) PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry, TU/e (1987) Research Interests: Development of materials with tailored physical properties for photovoltaics, electrochemical cells, and nanoscale systems. Key areas include polymer solar cell efficiency improvements, multi-junction solar devices, and organic semiconductors for artificial photosynthesis. Grants & Awards: ERC Advanced Grant (2023) NWO Spinoza Prize (2015) NWO Gravitation Program (€26.9M, 2012) René Descartes Prize (2000) Advising & Labs: Leads the Molecular Materials and Nanosystems group, collaborating globally on perovskite solar cells and electrocatalysts. Supervises interdisciplinary projects, including the 'Light Management for Perovskite-Silicon Tandem PV' initiative (2021–2024).
Luc Brunsveld is a Full Professor of Chemical Biology at Eindhoven University of Technology's Department of Biomedical Engineering, embedded in the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). His research focuses on chemical biology approaches to modulate protein-protein interactions, with applications in drug discovery and synthetic cell development. Brunsveld has held academic roles at TU/e since 2008, preceded by postdoctoral fellowships at the Max Planck Institute and industry experience at Organon. Education: Master's (1997) and PhD (2001, cum laude) from TU/e and University of Illinois. Grants: ERC Starting, Proof of Concept, Advanced Grants; NWO Vici Grant (2015). Research interests include molecular glues, supramolecular chemistry, and artificial cells. Recent work highlights light-activatable proteases and beta-cell protection via ChREBP modulation. Awards include the NVBMB Award (2010) and KNCV Gold Medal (2013). Co-founder of Ambagon Therapeutics. Labs/Teams: ICMS Core Group, Chemical Biology Group.
Jan C.M. van Hest is a Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), holding positions in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry and the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) . He leads research at the intersection of polymer chemistry and biomedicine, focusing on bio-inspired materials, nanomedicine, and artificial cells. His work includes developing synthetic vaccines, drug delivery systems, and adaptive nano/microcompartments mimicking cellular functions. Academic Background : Ph.D. in macro-organic chemistry from TU/e (1996), postdoc at the University of Massachusetts (protein engineering), and industry roles at DSM (1997–2000). Since 2016, he has held the Bio-organic Chemistry chair at TU/e, supervising over 30 PhD students and co-founding startups like Encapson and Noviosense. Research Highlights : His research spans nanomedicine (e.g., polymersomes for cancer treatment) and artificial cells (e.g., synthetic organelles). Recent work includes therapeutic nanovaccines and self-propelled platinum-loaded stomatocytes. His publications span Nature Nanotechnology , Nature Chemistry , and Angewandte Chemie . Awards & Collaborations : Recipient of the ERC Advanced Grant (2015) and NWO Gravitation Grant (2013). Partnerships with GSK, Zoetis, and industry initiatives like the TKI-LSH EUREKA project. Engages in education through courses like Biochemistry and Introduction to Chemistry & Chemical Technology. Labs & Teams : Core member of ICMS, leading interdisciplinary projects in functional molecular systems. Active in training the next generation of researchers through postgraduate programs like ICMS PTN.
Mirjam Kabel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Chemistry at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Wageningen Institute for Food and Biobased Research (VLAG). Her research is highly interdisciplinary, focusing on the structural and functional properties of plant polysaccharides, lignin, and dietary fibers. Her research interests lie at the intersection of food chemistry, biochemistry, and animal nutrition. She investigates the molecular structure of plant cell wall components such as arabinoxylan, cellulose, and pectin, and their behavior during digestion, particularly in pigs. Her work also explores the enzymatic modification of these polymers using fungal enzymes like lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases and cellobiose dehydrogenases. The recent trend in her publications shows a strong emphasis on advanced analytical techniques—including NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chromatography—to characterize complex biopolymers. Her studies often involve collaboration across disciplines, including microbiology, materials science, and agricultural sciences, reflecting the broad applicability of her research in food, feed, and biobased products. She actively supervises multiple PhD candidates, indicating her role in training the next generation of scientists. Her current projects include the use of fungal enzymes to modify pectin, the role of seaweed cell walls in vegetative propagation, and the application of lignin as a tracer in animal digestion. She has presented at conferences and delivered lectures, including on the separation and identification of pectin oligosaccharides. Her work has been supported through various funded research projects, demonstrating sustained academic and institutional engagement.
Carlijn Bouten is Full Professor of Cell-Matrix Interactions in Cardiovascular Regeneration at Eindhoven University of Technology. She leads the Soft Tissue Engineering & Mechanobiology group, investigating cellular interactions with extracellular environments in tissue growth, adaptation, and regeneration. Her research develops biodegradable heart valve prostheses that enable in vivo tissue regeneration, applying tissue engineering approaches to cardiovascular medicine. Professor Bouten holds an MSc from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a PhD from TU/e. She completed postdoctoral research at Université Laval and University of London before joining TU/e's faculty. She directs the national Gravitation program 'Materials-Driven Regeneration' and received an ERC Advanced Grant for cardiac tissue organization research. Research Focus: Her interdisciplinary program spans: Mechanobiological cues in tissue regeneration Development of living heart valve replacements Advanced biomaterials for cardiovascular applications In vitro models for tissue development Soft robotic systems for cardiac assistance Recent publications demonstrate innovations in biohybrid devices, standardized biomaterial testing, and novel tissue patterning techniques. Her work integrates engineering, materials science, and clinical translation through collaborations with medtech spin-offs. Leadership and Recognition: Fellow of the European Alliance for Medical and Biological Engineering President-elect of the Heart Valve Society Member of AcademiaNet for Outstanding Female Scientists Recipient of NWO VICI grant and Aspasia award She leads multinational consortia in regenerative medicine and teaches courses on heart/blood physiology and regeneration. Her lab develops model systems spanning cellular to tissue levels to quantify mechanobiological processes.
Prof. Sofía Calero is a Full Professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and Vice Dean of the Department of Applied Physics & Eindhoven School of Education. She leads the Materials Simulation & Modelling group, focusing on computational methods for renewable energy and nanostructured materials. MSc (1995) and PhD (2000), University Complutense of Madrid Marie Curie Fellow (2001–2003), University of Amsterdam Ramón y Cajal Fellow (2004) and Full Professor (2017) at University Pablo de Olavide (Spain) Her research bridges computational physics-chemistry and industrial applications, developing force fields, algorithms, and simulation methods to reverse-engineer material properties. She specializes in adsorption , metal-organic frameworks , zeolites , and molecular simulation , contributing to SDGs like climate action and clean energy. Recent publications focus on halide perovskites , carbon dioxide capture , and nanostructured materials , with software tools like RASPA and iRASPA as key outputs. Articles span Nano Letters , Chem , and Journal of Physical Chemistry C . ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2018) Marie Curie Excellence Award (2005) Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2024) She has supervised 36 research works and taught courses like Advanced Materials Modelling and Mechanics . Her work involves collaborations with industries and institutions across Europe.
Nathalie Katsonis is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Molecular Active Systems department within the Stratingh Institute of Chemistry. Her research focuses on understanding and designing active molecular systems inspired by biological mechanisms, emphasizing the transmission of movement across molecular to macroscopic scales, particularly in liquid crystals, supramolecular chemistry, and molecular machines. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Sorbonne Université (2004), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Groningen (2004–2007) and a Veni Fellowship (2009–2011). Prior to her current position, she held academic roles at the University of Twente, including Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor from 2011–2020. Her research explores molecular motion mechanisms, chirality control, and the creation of functional materials like light-responsive polymers and self-actuating systems. Key contributions include studies on rotaxane-based liquid crystal switches and macroscopic motion driven by molecular dynamics. She leads an international research group and chairs committees such as the Binding Study Advice Commission (FSE) and the Van't Hoff Foundation. Notable awards include the Professor-Werdelmann Award (2022), Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen membership (2021), and an ERC Consolidator Grant (2017). Her work bridges fundamental science and applications in soft robotics, smart materials, and origins-of-life research.
