The winner of the Zilveren Zandloper Innovation Award is Dr. Bert Hamelers, scientific program director of Wetsus. Bert Hamelers is a key-person behind several successful innovations, which contribute to solving the biggest global challenges the world faces today. His outstanding achievements in applied research have resulted in 22 internationally filed patents and three highly successful spin-off companies. These companies are Plant-e, ChainCraft and REDstrack Blue Energy, which over time already attracted millions of euros.

The winner of the Zilveren Zandloper Education award is Dr. Margot Koster, assistent professor of Utrecht University.  She has successfully finished the prestigious CEUT (Centre of Excellence for University Teaching) program of Utrecht University. Her course of Biotechnology & Society has been recognized as best course in 2010 and 2016, and follow-up courses are currently being rolled out, including a course Bioinspired Innovation. She is presiding the examination committee Biology, chair of the faculty Exam committee, study coordinator Microbiology, and, as of next year director of education Biology. Margot is informing and forming new generations of students, therewith greatly contributing to better spread and understanding of Biotechnology in the broadest sense.

The winner of the Applikon poster award is Rita Da Costa Basto from Delft University of Technology. The title of her project is ‘Hydronamics for the Integration of Fermentation and Seperation in the Production of Diesel and Jet Biofuels’. This project could lead to cost reduction in biofuel production. Her abstract can be found in the NBV-App.