Three NKI scientists receive Vidi-grant

24-05-2019

Three experienced researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute have each been awarded a 800.000 euro Vidi grant from NWO. The grant enables Olga Husson, Leila Akkari and Martin Fast to develop their own innovative line of research in the coming five years. Fascinating research on immunotherapy for brain cancer, software for improved radiotherapy, and long term outcomes after cancer (treatment) in young adult patients. The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) awards Vidi grants to experienced scientists doing innovative research.

Young adult and cancer?! - Olga Husson

Young adult cancer patients (18-39 years) form a unique group. While they try to achieve developmental milestones, they are confronted with a life-threatening, for their age rare disease, and its aggressive treatment. This study will examine which young adult cancer patients are at risk for poor health outcomes and why.

Harnessing immune cells to battle brain tumors - Leila Akkari

Glioblastoma is a deadly cancer in the brain and is highly challenging to treat. How can normal immune cells, which are abundant in these tumors, be used to eradicate the disease? By combining different treatment modalities, this research aims to develop effective therapies for glioblastoma patients.

Breathe easy: adapting lung radiotherapy in a heartbeat - Martin Fast

In radiotherapy, safely eradicating cancer is challenging since the tumor and the x-ray treatment beam are invisible. Fortunately, a new generation of treatment devices continuously observes internal anatomy using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this project, software will be developed to automatically adapt lung cancer treatments to respiratory and cardiac motion.

Read more about Vidi grants and projects on NWO's website.