Toptalent

Het NWO-programma Toptalent is gericht op afstuderend toptalent met eigen, creatieve onderzoeksideeën. Doel van het programma is het promoveren aantrekkelijker te maken. Succesvolle kandidaten kunnen direct aansluitend op het afstuderen met hun eigen promotieonderzoek aan de slag gaan. De kandidaten zijn primair op persoonlijke kwaliteit beoordeeld en secundair op de kwaliteit van het onderzoeksplan. In 2008 is voorlopig de laatste ronde van het programma geweest.

Toekenningen 2008:

 

Sequential learning in typically developing children and children at-risk for developmental dyslexia

Drs. D.J.H. (Desiree) Capel

This project aims at investigating in a longitudinal study of young children (i) possible correlations between sequential learning in language acquisition and in perceptual/motor domains and (ii) possible impairment(s) of a general sequential learning system that would underlie developmental dyslexia.

 

Rheological behaviour and slip stability of megathrust earthquake faults

S.A.M. (Sabine) den Hartog BSc
This proposal addresses aspects of the mechanical behaviour of subduction zone faults, key in controlling the onset of seismic slip, earthquake recurrence intervals and slow fault creep. The approach adopted will involve experiments plus microphysical modelling.

 

The role of tumor-initiating cells in cancer metastasis and drug resistance

J.E. (Janneke) Jaspers BSc

In this project we will use a conditional mouse model of metastatic breast cancer to study the role of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) in mammary tumorigenesis, metastasis formation and drug resistance. Thereby we will investigate potential strategies to target the TICs.

 

The glass transition in a new colloidal model system with long-range repulsions

M.N. (Marjolein) van der Linden

This proposal aims at investigating the glass transition in colloidal suspensions with long-range repulsive interactions through the combined use of confocal microscopy and computer simulations. Parameters that will be studied include the interparticle potential, compression speed, polydispersity and gravity.

 

Global transcription factor complexes: their composition and contribution towards genome-wide regulatory circuitry

T.L. (Tineke) Lenstra BSc (Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht)
Understanding gene expression genome-wide is pivotal for understanding how our cells work in health or disease. This project will investigate the subunit composition and function of evolutionarily conserved protein complexes that play key roles in regulating gene expression.

 

Social change and spatial re-division: understanding China´s new urban fragmentations

B.L. (Brenda) Madrazo Gonzales

Chinese cities´socio-spatial structure is being re-divided and re-defined. This research examines the processes accounting for the reciprocal relation between society and space in Nanjing and Wuhan to develop essential knowledge to inform theory, policy and practice at a critical time.

 

Self-locomotion, spatial exploration and the development of spatial language

O. (Ora) Paz BA

Inspired by embodiment theory we will explore the dynamic relationship between the developmental trajectories of self-locomotion, spatial exploration, spatial cognition and spatial reference language. Spatial language is expected to emerge from early motor experience and cognitive development.

 

Making up your mind: the molecular basis of dopaminergic neuronal network

E.R.E. (Ewoud) Schmidt (m) (Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht)

Neurological disorders such as Parkinson?s disease are characterized by dramatic changes in dopaminergic neuronal connections. This multidisciplinary study aims to identify the molecular events underlying the formation of dopaminergic connections, in relation to these situations of perturbed connectivity.

 

Impact of atmospheric feedbacks on the stability of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation

M. (Matthijs) den Toom BSc

This is a proposal to investigate how interactions between ocean and atmosphere affect the stability of the present climate state. The project will lead to a better estimate of the probability of a collapse of the Atlantic Ocean circulation.

Toekenningen 2007:

 

Development and impairment to phases (Arts & Humanities)

Loes Koring

This study will investigate whether particular grammatical constraints are delayed in typical developing children and impaired in groups with neurological disorders depending on syntactic properties. This will enhance our understanding of the neural pathways underlying human language.

 

From monologue to dialogue - interculturalism in contemporary ensemble music and wusic historiography (Arts & Humanities)

Harm Langenkamp

A critical but constructive assessment of the ambitions, consequences, limitations and potentialities of projects within contemporary music practice and music historiography which intend to discuss or advance intercultural exchange, both by means of historical and ethnomusicological research.

 

Environmental response to rapid climatic changes in NW-Europe during the Bølling/Allerød interstadial (Geosciences)

Nelleke van Asch

Rapid climate changes during the Bølling/Allerød interstadial are recorded in the Greenland ice-cores. How did this affect the terrestrial environment? A west-east transect through NW-Europe will reveal the impact of these climate changes on the environment in time and space.

 

What happens in our brain when we get ready for dinner? (Science)

Myrte Merkestein

The identity of neurons in dorsomedial hypothalamus and nucleus accumbens involved in food anticipatory activity will be determined and their role in feeding behaviour will be pharmacogenetically unravelled, relevant to eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and obesity.

 

Keeping up multiple stress responses: interaction between plant competition and pathogen defense (Science)

Mieke de Wit

Plants in nature and agriculture must defend themselves against competing neighbours and pathogens simultaneously. This interdisciplinary proposal aims to identify the molecular mechanisms and functional consequences of the interaction between competition and pathogen defence in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

 

Learning bayesian networks with order constraints (Science)

Jevgenijs Ivanovs

The objective of this research is to develop efficient algorithms for combining qualitative expert knowledge with data in learning Bayesian networks. The purpose is to obtain models that perform better, and are more likely accepted by domain experts.

 

Star clusters: tracers of galaxy formation and evolution in a cosmological context (Science)

Diederik Kruijssen

Using an advanced hydrodynamics code, we will investigate star cluster formation and the evolution of star cluster populations in different environments. By comparing the resulting populations to observations we will reconstruct the parent galaxy's formation and evolution.

 

Forbidden fruits or hidden pleasures: the effect of temptations on long-term goals (Social and Behavioural sciences)

Floor Kroese

Although counterintuitive from a self-control perspective, evidence suggests that short-term temptations mentally activate rather than inhibit the conflicting long-term goal. The current proposal comprises a series of experiments investigating this phenomenon. Characteristics of goals and temptations are taken into consideration.