Recently, several prestigious prizes and grants have been awarded to our AI&I members. Learn more about these accomplished individuals and their projects in the article below!
Vici Grant | Jeroen den Dunnen
Three researchers from Amsterdam UMC have each been awarded €1.5 million by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) through the prestigious Vici grant. This funding will allow them to develop innovative research lines and expand their teams over the next five years. Two recipients, Dr. Jeroen den Dunnen and Prof. Matthijs Brouwer, are members of the Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, congratulations to both!
Here we highlight Dr. den Dunnen, who received the Vici grant for his research on unraveling and treating post-acute infection syndromes.
Post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS) develop after an infection and can cause symptoms lasting months or even years. Examples include post-COVID, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), and Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS). Patients often experience severe fatigue, memory and concentration issues, and sleep disturbances, leading many to become unable to work. Globally, hundreds of millions are affected, yet reliable tests and treatments are still lacking. This research explores whether the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells. By analyzing blood samples for specific autoantibodies that may cause disease, this work aims to pave the way for new diagnostic tests and therapies.
About the Vici Grant
Vici is one of the largest personal scientific grants in the Netherlands, awarded to senior researchers who also mentor the next generation of scientists. This year, 39 leading researchers were selected from 384 applicants to receive this prestigious NWO grant.
Amsterdam UMC PhD Award | Dr. Bob Kullberg
Each year, the Amsterdam UMC Doctoral School honors the three most outstanding PhD theses defended at the medical faculties of the University of Amsterdam and VU Amsterdam during the Science & Awards Day. Nominations are submitted by PhD supervisors and are carefully reviewed by a jury of experienced Amsterdam UMC scientists from diverse disciplines. The jury independently assesses each thesis for scientific quality, impact, both scientific and societal, and the variety of research methods used.
After thorough evaluation, the jury meets to select a shortlist of three nominees. The final decision is made during the Science & Awards Day, where each nominee presents a five-minute pitch. This year, Bob Kullberg, former PhD candidate at the Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine and member of the Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases (AI&I), was awarded the 1st prize, worth €500, for his exceptional thesis titled: "Gut microbiota and pneumonia – From health to severe infection."