The Amsterdam Impact Awards celebrate researchers whose work goes beyond academia to actively benefit society. Organized by IXA, the valorization center of Amsterdam’s research centers, the awards spotlight those who make long-term, collaborative efforts to translate research into real-world change.
Tessa Roseboom: Advocating for a Healthy Start in Life
Tessa Roseboom, professor of Early Development & Health and Future Generations Commissioner at Amsterdam UMC, received the award in the Society category. She is internationally renowned for her pioneering research on the long-term impact of early-life conditions, including her work on the Dutch Hunger Winter of 1944-45. Her studies revealed how maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences not only the immediate health of children but also that of future generations.
Tessa now advocates for early investment in human development through national and international policy, including her contributions to the UN Declaration for Future Generations. Her work underlines a key message: a healthy start is the foundation for a healthy society.
Watch a video on Tessa Roseboom's award: (449) Amsterdam Impact Awards for Dutch famine '44/'45 research - YouTube.
Erik Sistermans: Advancing Safer Prenatal Screening
Professor of Human Genetics Erik Sistermans was honoured in the Health category for his key role in introducing and improving the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) in the Netherlands. This blood test offers pregnant women a safer and more accurate way to screen for chromosomal abnormalities, replacing the outdated combination test.
Erik is now expanding the scope of NIPT to detect early signs of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and viral infections. His work is helping to shift prenatal care from reactive to preventative—improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.
Erik Sistermans
Watch the video on Erik Sisterman's award: (449) Amsterdam Impact Awards for prenatal blood test - YouTube
.We are very proud of our researchers Tessa Roseboom and Erik Sistermans. The recognition of Tessa and Erik highlights the mission of the Amsterdam Reproduction & Development research institute: to conduct science that improves lives today and safeguards the wellbeing of generations to come.
If you would like to know more about other award winners, visit the website here.