Beatrice de Graaf and Anna Akhmanova presented with the highest distinction in Dutch science
For scientific excellence and social impact
Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven today presented Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 cell biologist Anna Akhmanova and historian Beatrice de Graaf with the highest distinctions awarded in Dutch science. Akhmanova was presented with an NWO Spinoza Prize, and De Graaf received an NWO Stevin Prize. The prizes include a cash award of 2.5 million euros, which they can spend on scientific research and activities related to knowledge utilisation.
Both the Spinoza Prize and the Stevin Prize are awarded in recognition of the quality of the researcher. The emphasis of the Spinoza Prize lies on the researcher鈥檚 scientific achievements and fundamental research, while the Stevin Prize honours the researcher鈥檚 impact on society. NWO President Stan Gielen: 鈥淣WO stands for scientific excellence and social impact. In that light, curiosity-driven research and applied research both deserve equal recognition.鈥
Anna Akhmanova
Prof. Anna Akhmanova (1967), Professor of Cellular Dynamics at Utrecht 木瓜福利影视, is one of the world鈥檚 leading experts in the field of the cell biology of the cytoskeleton. Akhmanova has made a number of ground-breaking discoveries that reveal exactly what the cytoskeleton鈥檚 function is and which mechanisms underlie these functions. Knowledge of how healthy cells function helps us to understand what goes wrong at the cellular level in diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer鈥檚 and ALS.
The cytoskeleton resembles structures that people can make, such as buildings or networks of roads. But the cell doesn鈥檛 have a masterplan, as we do. So how does the cell do it? How does it ensure that the right molecule links up in exactly the right way?
Prof. Beatrice de Graaf (1976) is Professor of History of International Relations & Global Governance at Utrecht 木瓜福利影视. She is considered a scientist who knows how to bring together science, politics, practice and society.
De Graaf likes to look beyond the confines of her discipline in the realisation that security and terror harbour strong psychological and social components. She is in high demand as a terrorism expert and advises various public and private organisations in the Netherlands and abroad.
I would like to use the prize to pursue two tracks that are both close to my heart. The first concerns 鈥榙eep history鈥, which exposes the cart tracks under the asphalt of the present in terms of security, conflict and violence. The second is the fast track of direct application in schools, in talks with children, and in providing policymakers with advice and frameworks for action in the field of terrorism and radicalisation.