Wageningen University & Research Recognizes Inspiring Supervisor and Study on Animal Welfare with Research Awards
WUR has presented the Research Award to exceptional researchers during its annual Dies Natalis since 1959. This year, however, four awards were presented. In addition to the best scientific publication, there were awards for best transdisciplinary research, team effort and best supervisor.
Expert juries selected a total of fourteen nominees for the Research Awards. The nominees were offered the opportunity to pitch their research on the morning of the Dies Natalis, after which students and employees voted for the researcher of their preference.
Winners of the 2024 Research Awards
Research Paper of the Year: Rob de Haas
PhD candidate Rob de Haas received the Research Paper of the Year award for his study on the digital design of anti-freeze proteins. His paper was described as ‘creative and original’ as well as ‘thorough, based on numerous experiments’. De Haas’ research may well be applied in the future to freezing cells, organs and tissue in the medical and agricultural sectors.
Team effort of the year: PAW Team
The PAW team (Positive Animal Welfare) is made up of ten researchers from different groups within the Animal Sciences Group (ASG). The team was awarded funding for a European research project on fostering positive experiences among animals in the livestock sector. The collaboration between different groups within ASG enables the scientists to complement and fortify one another’s expertise.
Transdisciplinary research of the year: FermFood
The transdisciplinary FermFood project comprises scientists and field workers conducting an extensive study on traditional fermented food in Africa. Researchers from three different Wageningen Graduate Schools collaborated intensively with universities and partners in Zambia, Benin, and Zimbabwe. This collaboration yielded not only valuable scientific insights but also practical solutions.
Supervisor of the year: Lenneke Vaandrager
Assistant professor Lenneke Vaandrager was nominated by eleven PhD students, postdocs and junior researchers she supervised in recent years. They described Vaandrager as ‘open, friendly, inspiring and motivating.’ Moreover, they commend her for her efforts towards their professional and personal development and her expertise in advancing health.
Recognise and reward
The new Research Awards are in keeping with the national Recognise and Reward programme. This programme strives to do justice to all aspects of researchers’ work, says Wageningen Graduate Schools Coordinator Janneke van Seters. ‘We already present an annual award for impact and for the teacher of the year. Awards for exceptional team efforts, transdisciplinary research and supervisors were lacking. That is why we now spotlight these researchers.’