“She is the best PhD candidate I have ever worked with,” says group leader Jos Jonkers. “Sarah is curious, intelligent, and highly driven. She shows strong initiative and consistently elevates the research.”
During her work, Sarah identified a hidden vulnerability in tumors that no longer respond to treatment. She demonstrated that certain drugs not only damage DNA but also affect how DNA is packaged inside the cell. Proteins known as histones control this packaging. When this system is disrupted, cancer cells become less capable of repairing damaged DNA. Laboratory studies showed that tumors could become sensitive to treatment again as a result.
The jury described the decision as a difficult one. “We had four very strong candidates,” says jury member Jelle Wesseling. “Sarah’s research has changed the way we think about cancer treatments, which is remarkable, especially at such an early stage in her career.” The jury highlighted her independence, creativity, and scientific maturity. Her leadership skills and her potential to shape the future of cancer research also played an important role in awarding the prize.
The Netherlands Cancer Institute, the research institute of the Netherlands Cancer Institute, awards the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Award each year to the most talented young scientist. The award consists of 6,000 euros and supports new research. The prize was first awarded in 1988 and is made possible in part by NKI alumnus Professor Roel Nusse of Stanford University. The Netherlands Cancer Institute is deeply grateful to him for this support.