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Nitrogen expert Wim de Vries nominated for Huibregtsen award 2020
Professor Wim de Vries has been nominated for the prestigious 2020 Huibregtsen award for his work on “integral analyses of nitrogen effects for an effective policy”. The jury selected six out of a total of 25 submitted research projects. The jury praises De Vries’ ‘outstanding work, through which he positions the Netherlands distinctively on the international stage.’ The Huibregtsen award will be distributed on 5 October during the Science & Society Evening. The event will be live-streamed.
The Huibregtsen prize is a prestigious one and is awarded only to research that combines scientific excellence and innovation. Moreover, the research project must have exceptional societal value and outreach, above and beyond what might be expected of a researcher in this position.
In the past year, De Vries became a public figure as a nitrogen expert using his broad expertise to provide the media with insight into the nitrogen issues and to lend his knowledge and advice to policymakers. Among others, he was asked to contribute to the Meten en Berekenen (measure and calculate) Advisory Committee (Hordijk Commission), initiated by minister Schouten. This committee consults on existing methods of measuring and calculating nitrogen levels.
The six nominees, listed alphabetically, are:
- Prof. dr. Diederik van de Beek Meningitis – new treatment options for a life-threatening situation Nominated by the Amsterdam University Medical Centres
- Prof. dr. Moniek Buijzen MyMovez – fighting excess weight in youths with social media Nominated by Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Prof. dr. Jan Hamers Ageing with value! Nominated by the Maastricht UMC+
- Prof. dr. Johan Hoorn and prof. dr. Elly Konijn Alice – an electromechanical grandchild to ease loneliness Nominated by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- Prof. dr. Maria Yazdanbakhsh Why does a malaria vaccine successfully tested in western countries, perform poorly in low-income nations in Africa and South-East Asia? Nominated by the Leiden University Medical Centre and Leiden University
- Prof. dr. ir. Wim de Vries Integral analysis of nitrogen effects for effective policy Nominated by Wageningen University
Live stream
Between four and six projects are nominated by a jury every year, of which one eventually gets the Huijbregtsen prize. The prize is normally awarded during the Science & Society evening in The Hague’s Knight’s Hall and consists of a 25,000 euro research fund, a sculpture named “The Thinker” by sculptor Wil van der Laan, and a workshop by the Lorentz Center in Leiden.
Jury chair Ineke Sluiter (president of the KNAW) will announce the winner of the Huijbregtsen award on 5 October 2020. This time, during a closed session under auspices of the Science & Society evening at the Royal Dutch Society in the Hodshon House in Haarlem. The event will be live-streamed from 17.30 to 18.30 hrs.
Science & Society evening
The Science & Society evening was launched in 2000 and aims to underline the value of science by showing how scientific research is applied in everyday issues. During the event leading scientists leaders from other societal sectors enter into dialogue on scientific research topics. Due to COVID-19, the twenty-first Science & Society evening cannot take place this year in its traditional form in the Knight’s Hall. This year, only an online award ceremony for the Huibregtsen prize and the Iris badge will take place. The event will be live-streamed for relations and other interested parties. Those interested may reach out to the jury office.