Geert Kops, director of the Hubrecht Institute, elected member of the KNAW
This year, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) has elected seventeen distinguished researchers as new members. One of them is Geert Kops, Director of the Hubrecht Institute.
The Academy praises Geert Kops for his fundamental contributions to our understanding of cell division.
“How does a cell pass on its chromosomes to new cells? What goes wrong during cell division that can lead to cancer and congenital abnormalities? Improving our understanding of this fundamental aspect of life on our planet is central to the work of molecular cell biologist Geert Kops.”
According to the KNAW, his research has played a crucial role in unraveling how chromosomal abnormalities arise in cancer, thereby helping to develop new therapeutic strategies. Kops is also recognized for his dedication to science communication.
“He actively seeks to convey the value of a sense of wonder, curiosity, and science to schoolchildren.”
In the Netherlands, election to the KNAW is considered one of the highest honors for a scientific career. Members are chosen based on their exceptional scientific achievements and are appointed for life. Through their participation in advisory committees and councils, members play an important role in the Academy’s advisory work. The Academy currently comprises around six-hundred members across a broad range of scientific disciplines.
The official installation of the new members will take place on 29 September 2025.
Official announcement KNAW: https://www.knaw.nl/nieuws/akademie-kiest-nieuwe-leden
Registration for Utrecht Science Week 2026 is now open: the knowledge festival at Utrecht Science Park
From Friday 25 September to Sunday 4 October, the sixth edition of Utrecht Science Week will take place. Utrecht Science Park will open its doors to everyone interested in (applied) science and innovation in the fields of life sciences, health, and sustainability.
The first programme elements have now been announced and registration is open. Many more events and activities will be added to the programme in the coming weeks.
New artificial heart implanted for the first time in Europe
Earlier this month at UMC Utrecht, a patient with advanced heart failure became the first person in Europe to receive a BrioVAD ventricular assist device. The new system is being evaluated in a European study and may offer advantages over the existing ventricular assist device. For UMC Utrecht, the implantation marks a new milestone in a long history of innovation in the field of mechanical circulatory support.
Successful first edition of Utrecht Life Sciences TechConnect
On 4 June 2026, researchers, technology experts, facility staff and innovation partners from across the Utrecht Life Sciences community gathered at Utrecht Science Park for the first edition of Utrecht Life Sciences TechConnect. The new annual event was created to strengthen connections between researchers and technology facilities, showcase advanced research technologies, and stimulate collaboration across disciplines.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).