Veni grant for Suzanne van der Veldt

Suzanne van der Veldt is one of 21 researchers from the University of Groningen and the UMCG who have been awarded a Veni grant of up to €320,000 by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The Veni grants are designed for outstanding researchers who have recently gained a PhD.

NWO selects researchers based on the academic quality and the innovative character of the research proposal, the scientific and/or societal impact of the proposed project, and the quality of the researcher. The Veni grants, together with the Vidi and Vici grants, are part of the NWO Talent Programme. In total, the NWO has provided Veni funding to 204 researchers nationwide.

From lab to life: uncovering the neural basis of anxiety

Suzanne van der Veldt, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences
Anxiety disorders affect millions of people and are nearly twice as common for women, yet scientists still do not know why. Much of what scientists know comes from studying mice in unnatural settings that may overlook important aspects of human anxiety disorders. This project records brain activity in male and female mice while they behave both in standard laboratory tests and in outdoor enclosures that better reflect natural conditions. By combining advanced tracking and brain-recording technology, this research aims to uncover neural processes that remain hidden in conventional laboratory testing, supporting both the development of better treatments and animal welfare.