Newsflash Faculty of Science: mathematician Jan-Willem van Ittersum wins prize, AI and the Parliamentary Democracy, and more…

At Utrecht University’s Faculty of Science, we are committed to keeping you informed about the latest developments, breakthroughs, and achievements that shape our academic landscape. In this newsflash, you will find quick, bite-sized updates on a range of topics that we wish to share with you in addition to the other, more extensive articles in our newsfeed.

Mathematician Jan-Willem van Ittersum receives Christiaan Huygens Prize

Mathematician Jan-Willem van Ittersum has been honored with the Christiaan Huygens Prize for his groundbreaking PhD research conducted at Utrecht University. This prestigious prize is awarded annually to a researcher who has made an innovative and significant contribution to the field of science. Van Ittersum received the award on October 16 from Eppo Bruins, the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science.

Van Ittersum admits he did not expect to receive the award but feels honored and grateful. "My research was like solving a complex puzzle, a journey of discovery where I was genuinely pleased with the final results," he says. "Over the four years I spent working on my dissertation, I learned a great deal, especially from the insightful questions my supervisors asked, which helped me make continuous progress."

In his dissertation, Van Ittersum offers a fresh perspective on Bloch-Okounkov's theorem by approaching it through the framework of modular forms. His research extends the theorem, unlocking new applications at the crossroads of algebraic geometry, number theory, representation theory, and statistical physics. Curious to learn more? Van Ittersum provides a reader-friendly summary (on page 183), drawing analogies between his research and everyday concepts, such as bread and peanut butter recipes, to make the complex ideas more accessible.

The jury for the Christiaan Huygens Prize was highly impressed by Van Ittersum's thesis. "Van Ittersum delivers remarkable new insights into complex mathematical topics," the jury noted in its report. "He demonstrates exceptional skill in linking diverse concepts and theories at a high level of abstraction, while also offering a presentation that is both clear and accessible."

The Interplay Between AI and Parliamentary Democracy

Interest in the potential of artificial intelligence is growing, including within government institutions. AI applications are increasingly being adopted to streamline processes and enhance public services. But what implications does this have for the future of our parliamentary democracy?

In his PhD research, Jasper Kars explores the evolving relationship between AI and democracy. He maintains a blog where he shares his insights, discoveries, and reflections along the way. In the first installment, he outlines the current key examples of AI's interaction with democracy, examining four critical dimensions: the state system, politics, policymaking, and citizen engagement (polis).

Dutch children’s tv show Klokhuis visits NPEC plant lab

The high-tech plant lab NPEC at Utrecht University was recently featured on the Dutch children's TV show Klokhuis. In this episode, host Tirsa takes young viewers on a tour of the lab’s facilities, explaining what makes the lab so special and important.

At NPEC, researchers can automatically monitor the growth and development of thousands of plants. Simultaneously, they can precisely map the impact of pathogens, beneficial microorganisms, and other factors such as rising temperatures or prolonged drought.

NPEC, which stands for the Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre, officially opened its doors earlier this year.

Please note that the Klokhuis episode is in Dutch only and does not provide English subtitles.