In commemoration of ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ's 25th anniversary and its dedication to supporting the next generation of leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), the ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ Jan van de Winkel Scholarship Fund was established in May 2024 in collaboration with Utrecht University. Announced by Anton Pijpers, President of the Utrecht University Executive Board, the fund honors exceptional PhD students specializing in antibodies, antibody-based therapeutics, or oncology. It awards up to three scholarships annually, providing approximately €2,500 per student for one year, and supports students who demonstrate financial need. The scholarship also honors the 35-year association of ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ’s CEO, Jan van de Winkel, with Utrecht University and his pivotal contributions to the Utrecht Science Park ecosystem and his esteemed position as Professor of Immunotherapy at the University (since 1996).
On November 26, ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ proudly hosted the scholarship’s first recipient, Miguel Vieira Martins, MD, at its R&D Center in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Miguel’s visit included a lunch with Jan van de Winkel and a group of employees from Discovery and Translational & Quantitative Sciences, who were involved in the scholarship application review process, as well as a tour of ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ’s cutting-edge facilities. The visit celebrated Miguel’s outstanding research and fostered collaboration between academia and industry.
Miguel’s research, part of the Máxima Butterfly Program at the Princess Máxima Center – the largest pediatric cancer center in Europe – focuses on integrating immunotherapy into frontline treatments for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
During lunch, Miguel shared his motivations for pursuing a PhD in pediatric oncology and emphasized the importance of bridging clinical practice and scientific research to improve outcomes for young patients. The discussion also explored the differences between academia and industry, the value of learning from setbacks, and the importance of international collaboration in driving innovation.
Miguel also highlighted his upcoming research secondment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where he plans to expand his clinical research skills and build networks to further advance his work in pediatric oncology.
Following lunch, Miguel toured ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ’s state-of-the-art labs, where he witnessed the innovative work in antibody discovery and therapeutic development, as well as the advanced technologies driving ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ’s research.
Reflecting on his visit, Miguel shared: “The Jan van de Winkel Scholarship will support my clinical research secondment in the United Kingdom, helping me deepen my understanding, progress my work, and share results in the months ahead. I was also very impressed by the friendly environment and facilities at ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ, where a culture of critical thinking, transparency, and curiosity fosters productivity and growth.â€
ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ CEO Jan van de Winkel emphasized the importance of the scholarship: “The ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ Jan van de Winkel Scholarship Fund reflects our commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders in oncology and immunotherapy. By investing in talented researchers like Miguel, we are advancing innovation and ensuring a brighter future for science and medicine. We are proud to support Miguel’s journey to improve outcomes for children with cancer.â€
Miguel’s visit highlighted the strong collaboration between academia and industry, united by a shared mission to advance science and improve lives. ÐǺ£ÆåÅÆ remains committed to supporting the next generation of researchers who will drive meaningful progress in oncology and beyond.
