Members of the EAAS Consortium
​
​Main Principal Investigator​
Jácome Armas is an associate professor and theoretical physicist at the University of Amsterdam and also affiliated with the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen. His research spans string theory, quantum gravity, black holes, and the physics of complex systems. He coordinates the Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena, connecting scientists across disciplines, and is the founder of Science & Cocktails. He co-leads EAAS together with Mark Golden.
Jácome (Jay) Armas
(University of Amsterdam)
Co-Principal Investigators
Mark is a professor of physics at the University of Amsterdam. His work explores the strange and beautiful world of quantum materials. He is interested in superconductivity, topological systems, and condensed matter physics, among many things! He co-leads EAAS together with Jay Armas.
(University of Amsterdam)
Ben is an associate professor at the University of Amsterdam (ITF / GRAPPA). His research digs into the most extreme corners of the universe — string theory, quantum gravity, black holes, and the early cosmos.
Ben Freivogel
(University of Amsterdam)
Jo is a professor of mathematics at the University of Amsterdam. Her research explores graph polynomials and topological graph theory. Originally from Alaska, she combines her love for art and mathematics in a creative approach to problem-solving.
(University of Amsterdam)
Erik is a theoretical physicist and professor at the University of Amsterdam, known for his work on string theory, black holes, and cosmology. In 2009, he proposed that gravity is not a fundamental force but an emergent phenomenon arising from the thermodynamic behavior of information. ​
Erik Verlinde
(University of Amsterdam)
Christian is an associate professor of mathematics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is also a visiting professor at the University of Oxford. He studies the dynamics of complex networks, from coupled oscillators to adaptive systems.
Christian Bick
(Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Bob is a professor of mathematics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and co-director of the Amsterdam Center for Dynamics and Computation. He studies networks, synchronization, and the twists and turns of dynamical systems, from bifurcations to Hamiltonian mechanics.
Bob Rink
(Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Frank is a professor at the University of Amsterdam and senior methodologist at Statistics Netherlands (CBS). He works at the intersection of complexity and official statistics, drawing on a background in physics, astronomy, and research across Europe and the UK.
(UvA & CBS)
Frank is a professor of probability at TU Delft. His research explores the behavior of complex stochastic systems, from non-equilibrium steady states to particle fluctuations, uncovering the surprising patterns hidden in randomness.
Frank Redig
(TU Delft)
Mark is a professor of mathematics at TU Eindhoven. His research interest focuses on differential equations and their applications to real-world systems. His work connects fundamental math to applications in biology, geology, chemistry, and beyond, uncovering patterns in everything from fluids to solids.
(TU Eindhoven)
Alexander is a professor of applied physics and nanomaterials, and director of Kyiv Academic University. He studies superconductors and quantum materials, exploring their electronic properties and how they can power future quantum technologies.
Alexander Kordyuk
(Kyiv Academic University)
Ema is an assistant professor and theoretical cosmologist at the University of Groningen. She uses gravitational waves to uncover the secrets of the early universe, combining insights from particle physics and gravity to explore how the cosmos began.
(University of Groningen)
Daan is an associate professor of cosmology at the University of Groningen. He studies the early universe through cosmic microwave background, gravitational waves, and 21 cm cosmology. In recent years, Daan has been exploring AI to uncover new physics hidden in cosmological data.
Daan Meerburg
(University of Groningen)
Diederik is a professor in theoretical cosmology at the University of Groningen His work spans inflationary models, their observational signatures, and the intriguing “double copy” framework connecting gravity and field theory.
(University of Groningen)
Ana is a professor of particle astrophysics and quantum field theory at Leiden University. She studies the early universe, supergravity, black holes, and solitons, and was an early pioneer in applying string theory to cosmology.
Ana Achúcarro
(Leiden University)
Francesca is an assistant professor of mathematics at Leiden University, working on noncommutative geometry and its connections to theoretical physics. Passionate about sharing the beauty of mathematics, she has been recognized with both Veni and Vidi grants from NWO.
(Leiden University)
Martin is a professor in physics at Leiden University exploring how simple building blocks can create complex 3D structures. His research paves the way for the use of 'machine materials' in, for example, prostheses and wearable technology.
Martin van Hecke
(Leiden University & AMOLF)
Koenraad is a professor in theoretical physics at Leiden University. He studies string theory and its connections to quantum matter, hydrodynamics, models of particle physics and cosmology.
(Leiden University)
Annegret is an associate professor of mathematics at Radboud University Nijmegen. She studies the large-scale geometry and dynamics of the universe, using tools from differential and metric geometry and hyperbolic PDEs.
Annegret Burtscher
(Radboud University Nijmegen)
Renate is a professor of theoretical physics at Radboud University Nijmegen and a visiting chair at Canada’s Perimeter Institute. She develops quantum gravity models using Causal Dynamical Triangulations, studying how spacetime emerges from quantum laws and revealing its surprising behavior at the smallest scales.
(Radboud University Nijmegen)
Frank is an associate professor of theoretical high-energy physics at Radboud University Nijmegen. His research focuses on quantum gravity, exploring how the fundamental structure of spacetime influences cosmology, black holes, and the very laws of physics.
Frank Saueressig
(Radboud University Nijmegen)
Walter is a full professor of mathematics at Radboud University Nijmegen, where he holds the chair of Noncommutative Geometry. His research explores the deep connections between noncommutative geometry and the foundations of particle physics.
(Radboud University Nijmegen)
Elisa is an associate professor studying dark energy through gravitational lensing and galaxy alignments. She works on the Kilo-Degree Survey, Euclid, and the Vera Rubin Observatory’s LSST, where she is Deputy Analysis Coordinator for cosmology.
Elisa Chisari
(Utrecht University)
Marjolein is a professor of physics at Utrecht University studying soft condensed matter, colloids, and self-assembly. She received the 2025 Physica Prize, an ERC Advanced Grant, and is a KNAW member.
(Urecht University)
Wilke is an assistant professor in theoretical physics at Utrecht University. His research interests include quark-gluon plasma, neutron stars, and emergent geometry, among other things.
Wike van der Schee
(Utrecht University)
Ralph is a professor at Utrecht University and head of the Freudenthal Institute. He studies scientific literacy, teacher development, and the impact of generative AI on learning. A physicist and musician, he also performs professionally. His role and interest is in education, by coordinating the Personal Assistant of the Teacher (PAL) program in Utrecht.
(Urecht University)
Hanny is a project manager for ICLOON at Leiden University. Her role and interest is in education, by coordinating the Personal Assistant of the Teacher (PAL) program in Leiden.
Hanny Gijsman
(Leiden University)
Cooperation Partners
Sanne is part of the program direction of Stichting Paradiso Amsterdam and the director of the Summer Dance Forever festival. Her role and interest is in organizing large scale cultural and scientific events.
(Paradiso)
Konstantinos is an associate professor at the University of Pretoria, specializing in string theory and high-energy physics. He is also a founding member of the Science & Cocktails Foundation in Copenhagen.
Konstantinos Zoubos
(University of Pretoria)
Han is a professor in pathology at Radboud University specializing in cancer diagnostics and metastasis. Former Rector Magnificus, he has advanced tumor pathology research and is internationally recognized as a member of the Leopoldina and Academia Europaea. Han is also the current interim director of the InScience Festival.
(Radboud University & Stichting InScience)
Jim is editor-in-chief of the Dutch edition of New Scientist, where he connects science with media and culture. He curates events like the Gala van de Wetenschap and writes for Het Parool, bridging science and the public through journalism and storytelling.
Jim Jansen
(New Scientist NL)
Clara studied art history and theory at the University of Amsterdam and the Kunsthochschule Kassel. She has worked in art education and programming and is currently a location manager and year coordinator at the IMC Weekendschool.
(IMC Weekendschool)
Project Leaders
Diego is an associate professor of theoretical physics at the University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on string theory, holography, and quantum field theory. He previously held postdoctoral positions at Stanford and Harvard and is a recipient of an ERC Starting Grant.
Diego Hofman
(University of Amsterdam)
Andrea is an associate professor at the University of Amsterdam. Her work focuses on black holes, quantum gravity, string theory and holography. She was awarded an ERC Starting Grant in 2019 for her research on the black hole information paradox.
(University of Amsterdam)
Raimond is a professor at Utrecht University and leader of the Dutch ALICE program. His research explores the properties of strongly interacting matter and the quark–gluon plasma. He led key flow analyses within the ALICE experiment and now directs Utrecht’s Institute of Gravitational and Subatomic Physics.
(Utrecht University)
Klaas is professor of mathematical physics at Radboud University Nijmegen and a member of the KNAW and KHMW. He co-founded the Radboud Center for Natural Philosophy and the Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena (DIEP). His research connects geometry, quantum theory, and fundamental physics.
Klaas Landsman
(Radboud University Nijmegen)
Irene is an assistant professor at the University of Amsterdam, where she is leading the Ab Initio Quantum Materials Group (AIQM). Her research focuses on emergent phenomena in condensed matter systems, using fully ab initio computational methods to predict and explain the behavior of quantum materials.
(University of Amsterdam)
Francesca is an assistant professor of mathematics in the Analysis and Dynamical Systems section at Leiden University and a member of the Noncommutative Geometry (NCG) group. She received a NWO Vidi grant for her research on the noncommutative geometry of quantum symmetric domains.
Francesca Arici
(Leiden University)
Antonija is an assistant professor at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen. She leads a group studying 2D and quantum materials such as graphene, topological insulators, and Weyl semimetals.
(University of Groningen)
Henk is a professor at Utrecht University and theoretical physicist specializing in collective quantum phenomena across systems such as ultracold atomic gases, topological insulators, graphene, Dirac/Weyl semimetals, and quantum Hall systems. He has received an NWO VICI grant, the NWO Gravitation prize, and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
(Utrecht University)
Daniela is a professor of soft and biological matter at the Huygens–Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University. Her research explores self-assembly in biological and soft matter systems, including colloids, lipid membranes, emulsions, and viruses. She has received NWO VENI and VIDI fellowships, an ERC Starting Grant, and the 2021 Emerging Leader Award from Journal of Physics: Materials.
Daniela Kraft
(Leiden University)
Silke is an associate professor at Leiden University. Her work focuses on theoretical soft condensed matter physics and biophysics.
Silke Henkes
(Leiden University)
Sebastian is an associate professor of Philosophy of Science at the University of Amsterdam. He is also a Senior Researcher at QuSoft and the Institute for Advanced Study, and will be a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford in 2026.
Sebastian de Haro
(University of Amsterdam)
Tom is an associate professor at Utrecht University, studying fundamental cosmology, including the Universe’s origin, quantum gravity, and dark matter. He focuses on the quantum origins of cosmic structures, relativistic effects in dark matter, and early-Universe gravitational waves, contributing to both theory and upcoming observations.
Tom Prokopec
(Utrecht University)
Marieke is a theoretical physicist at Nikhef, specializing in high-energy physics and cosmology. She earned her PhD at UCLA on using cosmic data to probe fundamental physics and held postdoctoral positions at ICTP, Nikhef, and DESY.
Marieke Postma
(University of Amsterdam)
Collaborators
Renee is an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics at VU Amsterdam. Trained in both mathematics and physics, she holds two PhDs from Oxford University and was awarded a VENI grant in 2022. Her research bridges mathematics, physics, and earth sciences.
(VU)
Marco is an experimental particle physicist studying the strong interaction and quark–gluon plasma formation in high-energy nuclear collisions at LHC. Since 2023, he has served as spokesperson of the ALICE collaboration.
Marco van Leeuwen
(Utrecht University)
Jan is a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Amsterdam. His research spans initiatives such as GRAPPA, Delta ITP, and DIEP. He is also a member of the Executive Board of the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and chair of its Science domain.
(University of Amsterdam)
Jan works at the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS).
Jan van der Laan
(Statistics Netherlands (CBS))
Edwin works at the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS).
(Statistics Netherlands (CBS))
Bram is an assistant professor in the Analysis and Dynamical Systems group at Leiden University. His research focuses on noncommutative differential geometry, bivariant operator K-theory, groupoids, topological phases of matter, and K-theoretic approaches to Langlands functoriality.
Bram Mesland
(Leiden University)
Magnus is an assistant professor of mathematics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His research focuses on topological data analysis, combining pure mathematics with computational methods and scientific applications. He is supported by an NWO VIDI grant.
(VU)
Anna is a professor in experimental physics of quantum materials at the University of Amsterdam. Her research interests span the design, crystal growth, and characterization of topological materials and frustrated magnets.
Anna Isaeva
(University of Amsterdam)
Nigel is a professor at Radboud University Nijmegen, specializing in magneto-transport. His research studies how electrons move through exotic metals and superconductors in strong magnetic fields, as well as innovative transport technologies, including magnetically propelled floating modules.
Nigel Hussey
(Radboud University Nijmegen)
Corentin is an associate professor of physics at the University of Amsterdam, leading the Soft Matter Group. His research explores mechanical metamaterials, nonlinear dynamics, and active matter, focusing on how structure and geometry give rise to unusual mechanical behavior in materials.
Corentin Coulais
(University of Amsterdam)
Krystal is an assistant professor of Discrete Mathematics at the Korteweg–de Vries Institute for Mathematics, University of Amsterdam, and a member of QuSoft. Her research focuses on algebraic graph theory, including eigenvalues of graphs and digraphs, graph polynomials, association schemes, and applications to quantum computing and optimization.
(University of Amsterdam)
René is a professor at Utrecht University and a theoretical physicist studying how liquids interact with solid surfaces at the nanoscale. His work connects fundamental physics with applications in energy storage, water purification, and catalysis.
René van Roij
(Utrecht University)
Peter is a professor of Computational Chemistry at the University of Amsterdam, where he leads the computational chemistry theme at HIMS and directs the Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM).
(University of Amsterdam)
Senja is an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics at VU Amsterdam. She studies spatial graphs—graphs embedded in 3D space—linking graph theory, knot theory, and geometry.
(VU)
Antoine is an assistant professor at the University of Amsterdam. His research works focus on hydrodynamics, complex fluids and active matter.
(University of Amsterdam)
Han is a professor at the Korteweg de Vries Institute for Mathematics, University of Amsterdam. His research specializes in complex dynamical systems, particularly in several complex variables.
Han Peters
(University of Amsterdam)
Guus is an associate professor at the Korteweg de Vries Institute for Mathematics at the University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on graph theory, including graph polynomials, partition functions, graph limits, and extremal combinatorics.
(University of Amsterdam)
Edwin is a professor at the University of Groningen studying astronomical information technology. He coordinates the Target project and chairs the Target Fieldlab steering committee, while leading OmegaCEN, a national data center for wide-field astronomical imaging funded by NOVA.
Edwin Valentijn
(University of Groningen)
Niels is an assistant professor at Utrecht University and philosopher of physics and science. His research explores concepts such as mass, scaling symmetries, dark matter, and dark energy. He leads the Collaborations Focus Groupof the Next Generation Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration.
(Utrecht University)
Jeroen is professor of History of Science at the University of Amsterdam. He also holds appointments at Utrecht University’s Institute for the History and Foundations of Science and the Descartes Centre. Trained in theoretical physics, his research focuses on the history of 20th-century physics, including Einstein’s work on unification.
(University of Amsterdam)
Peter is an associate professor of Mathematics at Radboud University Nijmegen, focusing on index theory, noncommutative geometry, geometric quantization, operator algebras, and applications of differential geometry and Lie theory.
(Radboud University Nijmegen)
Mark is an assistant professor of Sociology at Radboud University Nijmegen, specializing in aging, retirement, social capital, inequality, voting behavior, and welfare systems, often studied cross-nationally and from a life-course perspective.
Mark Visser
(Radboud University Nijmegen)
Marcello is an associate professor at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, University of Gronignen. His research interests focus on Sub-Riemannian geometry, geometric mechanics, geometric numerical methods and spectral theory.
(University of Groningen)
Alessandra is a professor of theoretical physics at Leiden University, where she leads The Late Universe group which focuses on theoretical and observational cosmology to test fundamental physics, including gravity, using large-scale cosmological data.
Alessandra Silvestri
(Leiden University)
Daniel is a professor of theoretical cosmology at the University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on the early universe, including inflation, particle physics, and string theory, using effective field theory and positive geometries. He is co‑PI of the ERC Synergy project UNIVERSE+ and author of the award‑winning textbook Cosmology.
(University of Amsterdam)
Christoph is an associate professor at GRAPPA (Center of excellence for Gravitation, Astroparticle physics and Cosmology), and the Institute of Physics at the University of Amsterdam. His group is working on improving our understanding of the dark Universe using modern machine learning techniques.
Christoph Weniger
(University of Amsterdam)
Rien is a professor at the Kapteyn Institute, University of Groningen, specializing in cosmic structure formation and the large-scale distribution of galaxies. His research focuses on the Cosmic Web, cosmic voids, computational geometry and topology, and the history of astronomy, including the Antikythera Mechanism.
(University of Groningen)