Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

Toptalenten mogen eigen promotie invullen

12 mei 2008

De Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) heeft 48 laatstejaars studenten en recent afgestudeerden van twaalf universiteiten een Toptalent-subsidie toegekend. Met deze subsidie kunnen de aanstaande wetenschappers hun eigen creatieve onderzoeksideeën vormgeven in een vierjarig promotieonderzoek. De subsidie bedraagt maximaal 180.000 euro.

De Colleges van Bestuur van de 13 Nederlandse universiteiten en van de Open Universiteit Nederland maakten eerst een interne selectie van jong, creatief talent. De universiteiten dienden voor de 127 geselecteerde kandidaten een aanvraag in bij NWO. Daaruit koos NWO via een interviewronde de beste 48 aanvragen.

Ongeveer de helft van de toegekende projecten zal worden uitgevoerd door een vrouwelijk kandidaat. De succesvolle kandidaten kunnen direct aansluitend op het afstuderen met hun eigen promotieonderzoek aan de slag gaan.

Toptalent is een initiatief om promoveren aantrekkelijker te maken. Het prestigieuze programma geeft ruimte aan jong creatief talent om hun promotietraject zelf in te vullen. Toptalent is opgezet door NWO in overleg met de VSNU. Er zijn twee rondes gehouden, één in 2007 en één in 2008.

Hieronder volgt een alfabetische lijst met de gehonoreerden en een indicatieve titel van het onderzoeksproject.

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Nadere informatie over de onderzoekers (onder andere contactgegevens) is te verkrijgen via:

* NWO, afdeling Voorlichting en Communicatie
* t: +31 (0)70 344 0713, voorlichting@nwo.nl

Nadere informatie over het beleid achter Toptalent is te verkrijgen bij:

* Nick den Hollander (NWO, afdeling Beleidsontwikkeling en
-ondersteuning)

* t: +31 (0)70 344 0638, hollandern@nwo.nl
* www.nwo.nl/toptalent

Lijst van gehonoreerden op alfabetische volgorde.

Scepticism and the rise of modern philosophy: A comparison of Late-Medieval and Early-Modern Epistemology
H.T. (Han Thomas) Adriaenssen BA (m) Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Many philosophers believe that sceptical questions about the limits of knowledge have shaped modern philosophy from Descartes onward. We find, however, similar debates in late-medieval scholasticism. Comparing the debates leads to a different view on the origin of modern philosophy.

Esotericism and scientific naturalism in the 20th century: Dialogue and polemics
E. (Egil) Asprem (m) Universiteit van Amsterdam This proposal looks at the interface between scientific naturalism and esoteric/occult currents in the early 20th century. The historical focal points are on the history of the Society for Psychical Research, the emergence of sceptical literature dedicated to debunking paranormal claims, and esotericists? positioning towards/against science.

Effects of stress on associative memory
V.A. (Vanessa) van Ast BSc (v) Universiteit van Amsterdam The differential influences of stress on associative memory and its neurological underpinnings have not yet been thoroughly investigated, despite its tremendous relevance for memory functioning in general, and anxiety disorders in specific.

From phage display to dendrimer display: a modular approach towards directed targeting
M.M.C. (Maartje) Bastings BSc (v) Technische Universiteit Eindhoven Multivalency dominates high affinity interactions in nature, with the M13 phage as excellent example. Using a modular approach, a supramolecular box of blocks to assemble synthetic phage mimics is proposed, which will find use in targeted nano-medicine and as biomaterials.

Unsupervised learning of cue weighting in phoneme perception: human and computer learners
A.T. (Titia) Benders BA (v) Universiteit van Amsterdam Empirical research investigates whether babies and adults are able to integrate and weight cues during unsupervised learning of phoneme categories and the influence of several factors on this. Computer models learn from language input, provide predictions and explain the underlying cognitive processes.

The phonological representation of affricates: a cross-linguistic study
J.K.M. (Janine) Berns (v) Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen The proper mental or phonological representation of affricates is still poorly understood. In order to fill this gap, this project carries out two complementary investigations: a typological research and a specific corpus based approach of affricates and affrication processes.

Scaphoid fractures
Drs. G.A. (Geert) Buijze (m) Academisch Medisch Centrum Fractures of the scaphoid bone are common, especially in young, active adults, and consist of 2-7% of all fractures. Each year in the Netherlands, carpal fractures are suspected in 24.000 cases. Of all carpal fractures in the Netherlands 90% is a scaphoid fracture. The scaphoid bone has a pivotal role in the functioning of the wrist and deformities can, therefore, lead to serious impairment. The current issues in scaphoid injury are delayed treatment, overtreatment and inadequate treatment.

Direct visualization of homology search and strand invasion in homologous repair
A. (Andrea) Candelli (m) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Homologous repair is an essential mechanism responsible for repairing double-stranded breaks in DNA. How homologous sequences are found and invaded remains unresolved. I propose a novel approach to visualize this central event of repair at the single-molecule level, in real-time.

Sequential learning in typically developing children and children at-risk for developmental dyslexia
Drs. D.J.H. (Desiree) Capel (v) Universiteit Utrecht This project aims at investigating in a longitudinal study of young children (i) possible correlations between sequential learning in language acquisition and in perceptual/motor domains and (ii) possible impairment(s) of a general sequential learning system that would underlie developmental dyslexia.

Eco-tourism, sustainable development, and survival skills amongst the Darkhad of Northwest Mongolia
R. (Richard) Fraser BA (m) Universiteit Leiden
Environmentalism and sustainable development have stimulated interest in Traditional Environmental Knowledge (TEK), which the United Nations has declared part of indigenous peoples' intangible cultural heritage. Yet conservation and eco-tourism threaten TEK-dependant survival skills, particularly amongst nomads such as Mongolia's Darkhad.

Facing anxiety: an innovative transdiagnostic approach to etiology and treatment
F.J. (Femke) Gazendam BSc (v) Universiteit van Amsterdam Anxiety disorders exert great personal suffering and societal cost. Relapse rates and co-morbidity suggest that current treatments are too narrowly focused. The present proposal puts an innovative transdiagnostic approach to the experimental test of the etiology and treatment of anxiety.

C2-domain proteins in movement disorders and neurotransmitter release A. (Asiya) Giniatullina (v) VU Medisch Centrum Amsterdam Neurotransmission requires C2-domain proteins and mutations herein can cause diseases of the nervous system (deafness, muscular dystrophy). This project will study a recently found mutation in the movement disorder PKD and elucidate with novel biophysical tools how C2-domains control neurotransmission.

Brain systems of visual consciousness: functional relevance and connectivity
T.A. (Tom) de Graaf (m) Universiteit Maastricht What happens in our brains when we become conscious of something? By tracking and manipulating neural activity with a unique combination of methods, this project will find out more about the location, connectivity, and functional relevance of conscious brain systems.

Origin of synaptic democracy: the role of neuronal morphology in synaptic scaling
M.R. (Martine) Groen BSc (v) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Synaptic plasticity is the basis of learning and memory. Along hippocampal neurons, synaptic strengths are democratic: all synapses have the same impact on the cell?s activity. This project investigates the mechanisms of synaptic democracy using computational modeling and two-photon imaging.

Rheological behaviour and slip stability of megathrust earthquake faults
S.A.M. (Sabine) den Hartog BSc (v) Universiteit Utrecht This proposal addresses aspects of the mechanical behaviour of subduction zone faults, key in controlling the onset of seismic slip, earthquake recurrence intervals and slow fault creep. The approach adopted will involve experiments plus microphysical modelling.

Plasmonics as the interconnect between solid state quantum systems and quantum optics
R.W. (Reinier) Heeres (m) Technische Universiteit Delft The goal is studying plasmons in metallic nanostructures; key for coupling electronic quantum systems with optics. Efficient generation of single photons on demand will be realized using nanowires. It is an investigative study of applications like a singel-photon transistor.

When we cannot forget: Probing the mechanistic underpinnings of stress-related memories
M.J.A.G. (Marloes) Henckens BSc (v) Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Stressful experiences are better remembered than neutral ones. Here I propose to study how corticosteroids affect memory formation by uniquely integrating two experimental levels: The single-neuron level applying electrophysiology and the human brain-system level using fMRI.

Targeting the group? A social network perspective on bullying G. (Gijs) Huitsing BSc (m) Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Bullying in school classes can be seen as a group process. This project will examine bullying using models for social network analysis, analyzing two existing datasets and collecting new multi-wave social network data aimed at contributing to group-directed anti-bullying interventions.

The role of tumor-initiating cells in cancer metastasis and drug resistance
J.E. (Janneke) Jaspers BSc (v) Universiteit Utrecht In this project we will use a conditional mouse model of metastatic breast cancer to study the role of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) in mammary tumorigenesis, metastasis formation and drug resistance. Thereby we will investigate potential strategies to target the TICs.

Multi-agent learning in auctions: the design and analysis of markets and traders
M. (Michael) Kaisers (m) Universiteit Maastricht This project investigates how machine learning techniques can help to analyze and improve markets and trading strategies within the domain of auctions. This empirical approach allows new insights into auctions, which grow in importance in resource allocation problems and e-commerce.

The molecular complexity of star and planet formation M. (Mihkel) Kama (m) Universiteit van Amsterdam We will obtain the most complete and sensitive inventory ever of molecular species near certain young stars. A thorough study of the evolution of molecular complexity during star formation will be conducted, and applied to explore the chemical diversity seen in the Solar System.

Culturele identiteit in de Byzantijnse diasporaliteratuur van Italië, 1400-1500
H. (Han) Lamers BA (m) Universiteit Leiden
Dit onderzoek beoogt de strategieën in kaart te brengen waarmee Byzantijnse vluchtelingen op Italiaanse bodem een distinctieve culturele identiteit construeerden in hun poging om zich via de literatuur overtuigend te positioneren in de complexe sociaal-culturele situatie van hun migratie.

Defining Jewishness and Christian identity in Claudian-Neronian Rome: Impacts of state intervention
B.E.A.L. (Birgit) van der Lans BA (v) Rijksuniversiteit Groningen This research examines the role of the Roman state in Jewish and Christian self-definitions under Claudius and Nero by relating Paul's letter to the Romans to the historical context of its addressees in a situation of migration and return.

The glass transition in a new colloidal model system with long-range repulsions
M.N. (Marjolein) van der Linden (v) Universiteit Utrecht This proposal aims at investigating the glass transition in colloidal suspensions with long-range repulsive interactions through the combined use of confocal microscopy and computer simulations. Parameters that will be studied include the interparticle potential, compression speed, polydispersity and gravity.

Global transcription factor complexes: their composition and contribution towards genome-wide regulatory circuitry T.L. (Tineke) Lenstra BSc (v) Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht Understanding gene expression genome-wide is pivotal for understanding how our cells work in health or disease. This project will investigate the subunit composition and function of evolutionarily conserved protein complexes that play key roles in regulating gene expression.

Social change and spatial re-division: understanding China´s new urban fragmentations
B.L. (Brenda) Madrazo Gonzales (v) Universiteit Utrecht Chinese cities´socio-spatial structure is being re-divided and re-defined. This research examines the processes accounting for the reciprocal relation between society and space in Nanjing and Wuhan to develop essential knowledge to inform theory, policy and practice at a critical time.

Structural insights into two pathways for repair of UV-damaged DNA E.M. (Elisabeth) Meulenbroek (v) Universiteit Leiden We wish to understand how ultraviolet-induced DNA-damage is recognized and repaired by DNA repair proteins. For this, we intend to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of a repair protein in complex with damaged DNA and of two repair proteins from another repair system.

Teeth tell tales. A multi-disciplined approach to past lifestyles and cultural practices
H.L. (Hayley) Mickleburgh (v) Universiteit Leiden Past cultural practices, health and lifestyle in the prehistoric circum-Caribbean region are studied from a multi-disciplined premise using human dental wear analysis in combination with evidence from archaeology, ethnohistoric and ethnographic accounts, and modern dentistry.

Discovering new dimensions in the human auditory cortex with real-life stimuli
M. (Michelle) Moerel (v) Universiteit Maastricht In the human brain, any kind of auditory stimulation elicits multiple representations, whose number, organization and functional roles remain unknown. Using natural, ecologically valid sounds and state-of-the-art analysis methods, this fMRI project will reveal the organizational principles of human audition.

Self-locomotion, spatial exploration and the development of spatial language
O. (Ora) Paz BA (v) Universiteit Utrecht
Inspired by embodiment theory we will explore the dynamic relationship between the developmental trajectories of self-locomotion, spatial exploration, spatial cognition and spatial reference language. Spatial language is expected to emerge from early motor experience and cognitive development.

Social threat hurts! The influence of the social context on pain P.A.M. (Pim) Peeters BSc (m) Universiteit Maastricht The influence of social safety/threat and pain catastrophizing on pain intensity and painful facial expression of healthy individuals and chronic pain patients will be investigated using behavioural experiments and brain imaging techniques. Predictions from two opposing theories will be compared.

The legal and moral status of jus post bellum
Mr. drs. L. (Lonneke) Peperkamp (v) Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen What is the legal and moral status of jus post bellum? This research aims to identify and classify principles regulating conduct after war, based on international law and moral theory, and to provide a set of `ideal' post war principles.

Novel biomarkers of memory: from model to cognition S.-S. (Simon-Schlomo) Poil MSc (v) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Brainwaves reflect the activity of the brain, and whether this activity is abnormal due to a brain disorder. This project aims to develop novel biomarkers of abnormal brainwaves based on computational models and experimental measurements from patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Engineering poetry - the process of construction in classical Latin verse
B.L. (Bettina) Reitz (v) Universiteit Leiden
I will analyse the representation of the building process in Augustan and Flavian Latin poetry, investigating the texts' engagement with contemporary building, the relationship between literary criticism and architectural history, and the metapoetic implications of textual allusion to construction.

Opening the black box of investor behaviour and managerial decisionmaking: A neuro-scientific analysis
M.A.M. (Margot) de Rooij MSc (v) Universiteit van Tilburg To amend the rationality assumptions in economics, I study investor behaviour and managerial decision-making. Not only do I use empirical behavioural economics models but also experiments based on prospect theory as well as the measurement of brain activity employing neuroscience.

Making up your mind: the molecular basis of dopaminergic neuronal network
E.R.E. (Ewoud) Schmidt (m) Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht Neurological disorders such as Parkinson?s disease are characterized by dramatic changes in dopaminergic neuronal connections. This multidisciplinary study aims to identify the molecular events underlying the formation of dopaminergic connections, in relation to these situations of perturbed connectivity.

Is a sexy life a shorter life?
M.J.P. (Mirre) Simons BSc (m) Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Experimentally elevated testosterone increases immediate reproductive success, suggesting that long term costs constrain testosterone. I will examine these costs within the biology of aging to increase our understanding of sexual investment and aging, using the Three-Spined Stickleback as a model.

Soft condensed metal: stabilising sophisticated drug delivering micelles
E. (Evan) Spruijt BSc (m) Wageningen Universiteit & Researchcentrum The proposed research aims at studying interaction forces in self-assembling polyelectrolyte complexes of block copolymers and coordination polymers, ranging from micelles to networks. These forces are necessary to stabilise micelles for future application, including controlled drug delivering systems.

Gene therapy of Pompe's disease
M. (Merel) Stok BSc (v) Erasmus MC
Directed at a single therapeutic intervention for a-glucosidase deficiency (Pompe's disease), the project will evaluate efficacy and safety of lentiviral vector mediated transgenesis of hematopoietic stem cells as a new paradigm for the treatment of lysosomal enzyme deficiencies.

Photon cutting with Si nanocrystals for smart photovoltaics D. (Dolf) Timmerman (m) Universiteit van Amsterdam In my master's project I have observed that a single high energy photon can generate two excitons in two neighboring Si nanocrystals. The research objective of this project is to develop comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon, which promises radical efficiency enhancement in photovoltaics.

Moral mind-reading
J.P. (Peter) Timmerman (m) Rijksuniversiteit Groningen This interdisciplinary project assesses the consequences for moral and political philosophy of Embodied Cognition, a new paradigm within the cognitive sciences. In particular, it investigates how new insights about the way intentions and dispositions are perceived affect social contract theory.

Impact of atmospheric feedbacks on the stability of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation
M. (Matthijs) den Toom BSc (m) Universiteit Utrecht This is a proposal to investigate how interactions between ocean and atmosphere affect the stability of the present climate state. The project will lead to a better estimate of the probability of a collapse of the Atlantic Ocean circulation.

Studying molecular switches with graphene-based devices A. (Alina) Veligura (v) Rijksuniversiteit Groningen We will use the very recent discovery that graphene conductance can be manipulated by molecules assembled on its surface. The conical band structure of graphene, in particular the coexistence of both electron and hole states in the vicinity of zero energy level, makes graphene one of the most attractive materials for studying molecular switching processes. We are confident, that the graphene-based device we proposed to build will allow us to study thermo- and photochromic switches down to the ultimate single-molecule level. Moreover, the charge transport mechanisms themselves are not yet fully understood in graphene, therefore are worthy of in-depth research within the proposed project.

Functional analysis of a novel gene inducing hematopoietic stem cell expansion
E. (Evgenia) Verovskaya BSc (v) Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen A novel protein-encoding gene involved in turnover of hematopoietic stem cells was recently identified. Preliminary experiments have shown that this gene is able to perturb the process of blood formation. In the course of the project functions of encoded protein as well as its role in development of human leukemia will be investigated. This project will be the first study to characterize the functions of protein localized in endoplasmatic reticulum involved in hematopoietic stem cell turnover.

Probing the function of rhythmic neuronal synchronization with weak, alternating electric fields
M.A. (Martin) Vinck BSc (m) Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen We will control rhythmic neuronal synchronization in vivo with weak, alternating electric fields. The effects of the applied electric fields on the neuronal firing patterns and on behavioral parameters of visual attention will be investigated in detail.

Development and regulation of the venom-delivery system in snakes F.J. (Freek) Vonk (m) Universiteit Leiden
I will investigate the developmental and transcriptional control of venom-secreting cells of the snake venom-delivery system. This research will show how venom secretion is regulated and has the potential for providing new systems for drug design and discovery, through manipulating cells to make specific proteins.

Dynamical networks of neural synchronization in human motor control B.C.M. (Bernadette) van Wijk MSc (v) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam How do innumerable neurons combine their actions, enabling us to walk or to play the piano? Here, recent ideas from complex dynamics and network theory are combined to pinpoint functional interactions in the human brain during motor control.

Understanding the role of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) in consumer decision-making
L.M. (Lotte) Willemsen (v) Universiteit van Amsterdam The aim of the proposed project is to gain more insight into the way eWOM in online social networks affects consumer behavior by disentangling the relationships between type of eWOM, trust, social identity and type of social influence.