Could you tell us how your involvement with NWO Life has influenced your own research or career?
''Participating in NWO Life has definitely helped me think outside the box. It makes me wonder about how I could collaborate with people outside my field, how to make my research more accessible and reachable. I see how researchers visualize their research, how passionate they are about it and how multi-disciplinary research in general can be. It gives me so many ideas, it is truly inspiring.''
There are still spots available to present a poster at NWO Life2026 (28 & 29 May):
More info
(Deadline poster abstracts: 21 April)
You have won the poster prize yourself and are now part of the programme committee. How has your poster presentation and your involvement in NWO Life contributed to your visibility, network, and research?
''Hosting, presenting, and being part of the programme committee (PC) of NWO Life boosted my Dutch network and my visibility overall. During the conference, I see great stories worth sharing on social media and take the opportunity to brainstorm with researchers on totally different topics, both personal and professional. On top of that, I have met and now work with leaders in their field well outside mine, people I would have never crossed path with if it was not for participating to NWO Life conference series.
One fun anecdote: during this year’s Women and Girls in Science event at Naturalis, I met by chance Eva Corssmit, the tapir art-piece winning artist of NWO Life 2023, where I first saw her work. After having a very interesting discussion with Eva about my research on foraminifera, microscopic unicellular organisms with a shell, she decided to give it a go and draw some of them. It was so spontaneous and simple, how quickly connections can be made, thanks to NWO Life.''
Which developments or discussions within the life sciences do you currently see that fit particularly well with this year’s theme, Changes in Life?
''One of the biggest, positive change I have been witnessing since the beginning of my career is how integrative technology can help life sciences to go beyond the limitations of more traditional research. Think of combining metagenomic data with AI-based methods. This shows how computer sciences and life sciences are not independent disciplines anymore, rather essential to each other to understand the world we live in. I also noticed the growing desire of researchers to have an impact in their community, bring their research to a level that can contribute solving societal issues. We are in a very dynamic era!''
As a programme committee member: how do you ensure that NWO Life is a truly inspiring place where researchers from different disciplines genuinely meet and connect?
''It is the first time I participate in such a committee, and I am learning a lot. In my opinion, the main goal of the PC is to bring together researchers across fields, to create bridges and an open place for people to be creative. By being a committee of researchers across many fields and Dutch institutions, we are able to create a programme for NWO Life that offers an entry door to all researchers, where niche topics also find their place. We think of sessions that can initiate connections between fields with a common ground, and social activities that encourage connections between researchers, at a more individual level.''
What would you say to researchers who are still unsure whether they should submit a poster or register for the conference?
''Going to NWO Life is the ideal place to share your research in a simple manner to a wide audience, crossing fields, boosting your Dutch network and getting inspired by others. Therefore I can only voucher to NWO Life and encourage young and senior research to join it!''
Register now
(Registration deadline: 7 May)
