How do you keep the brain clean? Daphne Naessens wins first Alzheimer Netherlands thesis prize with beautiful summary
In total, Dr Daphne Naessens will receive the Dissertation Prize from Alzheimer Nederland on 5 October. She received the best rating from the jury for her audience summary. In this summary, she explains her research in a clear manner to the general public. With the Dissertation Prize, Alzheimer Nederland wants to recognize young talent for talent that is broader than the results of their research. The latest generation of researchers is not only assessed by employers and financiers on their research, but also on skills related to social themes, such as education, implementation and communication. Naessens wins 2,500 euros for career development and is allowed to present her research at the donor meeting of Alzheimer Nederland.
Naessens was selected from no fewer than 23 entries. The summaries of the top five candidates became caregivers to a panel of cloaks and editors. Attention was paid to the use of language, style and predominance of the texts. Naessens was declared the winner. A great achievement, because her fellow candidates averaged an 8 from the jury. They were Irene Heger, Margreet Koopman, Boyd Kenkhuis and Yuan Feng. At the bottom of the page you can read the submissions of all candidates.
Happily surprised
“I’m really happy that I won, but I really didn’t expect it. Writing costs me a lot more energy than doing research in the lab. I found it very difficult to explain my research. She read my summary and found the text very clear. Then I got it for the Dissertation Prize. A real surprise that the jury is also so positive about my summary.’
Prize money for career development
With the dissertation prize, Naessens wins a career trophy and 2,500 euros for career development. ‘I don’t know exactly which workshop training I want to follow, but it will come in handy anyway.In addition, the five finalists will receive communication training and Naessens will present her research at the annual donor meeting of Alzheimer Nederland.
Dissertation prize for talent development of researchers
This is the first year that Alzheimer Nederland awards the Dissertation Prize. The prize is part of the talent program of Alzheimer Nederland, with which we want to increase the number and quality of dementia researchers in the Netherlands. Recognition for previous work can help young researchers obtain a follow-up grant. The dissertation prize is one of the ways Alzheimer Nederland wants to recognize young researchers for their work.