Vidi grant for FSE researchers Dr. Bunte, Dr. Starkenburg and Dr. Wang

Dr. Bunte from the Bernoulli Institute , Dr. Starkenburg from the Kapteyn Institute and Dr. Wang from SRON / Kapteyn Institute have all received a Vidi grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). With the Vidi grant, worth EUR 800,000, they can develop their own innovative line of research and set up a research group for five years.

The three FSE researchers will conduct research on artificial intelligence, the Milky Way's infant years and clashes between cosmic titans.

Dr. Kerstin Bunte, Bernoulli Institute: Transparent Artificial Intelligence

Experts want to know how measurement data could provide information on natural processes that they are researching. Computer scientists can link the predictive power of artificial intelligence to the assertive power of models to create more transparency and insight. The new methods could lead to personally tailored medication and innovations in the smart industry.

Dr. Else Starkenburg, Kapteyn Institute: Stories from the infant years of our Milky Way

What is now an imposing galaxy was once very small. The oldest stars are our witnesses of the galaxy’s early youth. This research traces these stars efficiently and combines all the information that they provide us into a unique story.

Dr. Lingyu Wang, SRON/ Kapteyn Institute: Clashes between cosmic titans

The evolution of galaxies is an unsolved puzzle. Spectacular clashes between galaxies can fundamentally change the colliding galaxies. By applying artificial intelligence to powerful new surveys of the universe, researchers will be able to closely measure the impact of collisions on the growth of galaxies and black holes for the first time.

Vidi

Vidi grants are intended for experienced researchers who have been conducting successful research for some years after gaining a PhD. Alongside the Veni and Vici grants, the Vidi grant is part of the NWO Talent Programme. Within this programme, researchers are free to submit their own topics for funding. In this way, NWO wishes to stimulate innovative and curiosity-driven research. The researchers are selected based on their research quality, the innovative nature of their research, the expected societal impact of their research proposal and the possibilities for knowledge utilization.