Board

The Shruti Giri Fund is led by a committed and interdisciplinary board. Founded by Elisabetta Chicca, Aleksandra Biegun, and Manuela Vecchi, the fund is governed by a five-member board composed of the three founders and two student representatives.

Board Members

• prof. dr. Elisabetta Chicca (Chair)
  Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM)
• dr. Aleksandra Biegun
  Engineering Lab – Faculty of Science and Engineering
• prof. dr. Manuela Vecchi
  Kapteyn Astronomical Institute – Faculty of Science and Engineering

• Koen Waggeveld
  Bachelor’s student in Physics and Mathematics
• Sara Momcilovic
  Bachelor’s student in Physics and Philosophy of a Specific Discipline

The Shruti Giri Fund board can be reached at this email address: s.giri.fund rug.nl

Development & Outreach Committee

The fund is supported by a Development & Outreach Committee, which works in collaboration with the Board to expand the fund’s reach, strengthen partnerships, and build long-term sustainability.

Committee Members

• Bahar Haghighat
  Energy and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG)
• Davide Grossi
  Bernoulli Institute
• Kasia Tych
  Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB)
• Sabeth Verpoorte
  Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP)
• Ronnie Hoekstra
  Zernike Institute of Advanced Materials (ZIAM)
• Petra Rudolf
  Zernike Institute of Advanced Materials (ZIAM)
• Jelle Blijleven
  X-Lab PAM — EMT
• Lucy Avraamidou
  Centre of Learning and Teaching (CLT)
• Scott Trager
  Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
• Daan Meerburg
  Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics and Gravity
  

Role and Responsibilities

The D&O Committee supports the Board in:

• Fundraising, through engagement with industry partners, alumni, and broader professional networks;
• Increasing visibility, strengthening the fund’s profile among potential donors;
• Student outreach, raising awareness of funding opportunities and encouraging student participation.

Bringing together members from diverse disciplines and career stages, the committee ensures a broad institutional network and a sustainable foundation for the future of the Shruti Giri Fund.