NWO/Spinoza Prize for literature, microbiology, physics, and medicine

2 June 2008

'Dutch Nobel Prizes' for four top Dutch researchers 

On 2 June 2008, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) announced which four researchers will receive the NWO/Spinoza Prize for 2008. The prize is the highest Dutch award in science. Each researcher receives one-and-a-half million euros, to be spent on research of their choice. The researchers receive the prestigious prize for their outstanding, pioneering and inspiring scientific work.

The winners of the NWO/Spinoza Prize 2008 are:

Prof. M.S. (Marjo) van der Knaap, paediatric neurologist at the VU University Amsterdam. Van der Knaap diagnosed various new brain disorders using MRI and unravelled these down to the level of the responsible genes.

Prof. J.Th. (Joep) Leerssen, professor of Modern European Literature at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. Leerssen has made innovative contributions to imagology, Irish studies and the study of cultural nationalism.

Prof. Th.H.M. (Theo) Rasing, physicist at the Radboud University Nijmegen. Rasing's work includes the use of ultrafast laser pulses to manipulate tiny magnets.

Prof. W.M. (Willem) de Vos, microbiologist at Wageningen University. De Vos has performed groundbreaking research into the contribution of microorganisms to human food and health.

Absolute top
The NWO/Spinoza Prize, also viewed as the 'Dutch Nobel Prize', is awarded to Dutch researchers who rank among the world's top scientists. The laureates are internationally renowned, and know how to inspire young researchers.

This is the fourteenth occasion on which the Spinoza Prizes have been awarded. The first occasion was in 1995. The awards are made on the basis of nominations. Those allowed to make nominations are the principals of universities, and the chairs of the departments of Literature and Physics of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), the Netherlands Society of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the Dutch National Network of Female Professors, the Social Sciences Council and the NWO Divisional Boards.

Dutch Education Minister Ronald Plasterk will perform the official presentation of the monetary prize and the Spinoza statuette on Wednesday 19 November 2008 in the Nieuwe Kerk in The Hague.

Jury reports winners

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For further information please contact (see also the enclosed jury reports):