UMCU-Young Academy
UMCU-Young Academy
The UMC Utrecht Young Academy (UMCU-YA) was started in 2019 and comprises a group of enthusiastic and ambitious young academics at UMCU. The goal of UMCU-YA is to create and promote an inspiring and (inter)nationally competitive research climate. Specifically, the aim is to perform excellent fundamental and translational research in UMCU and empower the development of ‘high potential scientists’. Our vision is to form the bridging layer between
1) the scientific work force and UMCU management,
2) basic and clinical researchers in the UMCU, and
3) UMCU research and society (patient, industry, arts, education).
Specific topics we discuss:
- Critical perspectives on academic policy and society in the UMC-Utrecht and beyond
- Carreer opportunities within and outside UMCU
- Non-sustainable banking and insurance systems in universities.
News :
Oct 2022: The UMCU-YA is looking for excellent young UMCU-researchers (2-years postdoc experience, assistant or associate professor). There is a preference for individuals who have not (yet) had a leadership position within a large research group. Members are mostly in an earlier stage in their career than members of De Jonge Akademie of the KNAW. UMCU-YA members think ‘outside the box’, have a broad vision on research and education, and are motivated to actively organise and participate in UMC-Utrecht YA events. In general members should be willing to invest on average two hours per week in YA activities. Selection procedure:
- In odd-numbered years, young researchers may nominate themselves.
- In even-numbered years, directors of strategic themes, may submit 2 nominations each (1 clinical and one non-clinical researcher).
Nominations should include a short CV (max 1A4) and a motivation letter (1A4) describing what the candidates vision on the academic landscape of the UMC Utrecht and specific activities within the context of the YA he/she would like to undertake.
The deadline for submitting nominations: 1 January 2023. The kickoff meeting will take place in the 2nd or 3rd week of 2023. Interested? Contact UMCUYA@umcutrecht.nl or the manager of your strategic program.
March 2021: Survey reveals urgent Needs and Hurdles for Researchers at UMCU. The OncoCareerBoard, Young Science In Transition and the UMCU-Young Academy joined forces to address the needs for a talent program of the UMCU. Together, they launched a survey, sent out across the six Strategic Programs of the UMCU, retrieving information about scientific career development and work-life balance of researchers within the UMCU. The survey of last December was filled out by 275 scientists and clinical scientist covering the carreer level from PhDs, PostDocs, assistant, associate and to full Professors. The OncoCareerBoard, Young Science In Transition and the UMCU-Young Academy are now working with the research office to help shape a new edition of the UMCU talent program. This survey was a follow up of the first Career Survey send out by the OncoCareerBoard as part of the Strategic Program Cancer in January 2020. The initial survey was filled out by 61 early-career scientists including MD-PhDs, PhDs, Postdocs, and assistant professors. Due to COVID-19 and the government-imposed lock-down, there is a delay in discussing the results of the survey with the daily boards of the Strategic Programs, but this will be picked up in April of 2021. Keep tuned, to hear more of our progress towards addressing career needs and hurdles for Researchers at UMCU.
Centre for Unusual Collaborations uitklapper, klik om te openen
The Young Academies of the four institutions in the Strategic Alliance between TUe, WUR, UU and UMC Utrecht have set up the Centre for Unusual Collaborations (CUCo).
Read more about the Strategic Alliance between TUe, WUR, UU and UMC Utrecht
Follow UMC Utrecht Young Academy on Twitter
Excellent fundamental / translational / clinical research is the basis for good patient care in the future. Research is necessary for the development of our knowledge to improve diagnostic and treatment methods. The UMCU-YA will provide solicited and unsolicited advice on strategic themes related to research, and will form alliances with partners outside the UMCU.
Young Faculty Associations uitklapper, klik om te openen
UMCU-YA is in close contact with two other Young Faculty Associations (YFAs). The YFAs represent young faculty and group leaders in the Life Sciences programme board, organize onboarding activities, facilitate the sharing of practical knowledge and materials, and promote collaborations. The YFAs organise shared activities, as well as independent activities, tailored to the different faculties and research institutes that make up Life Sciences in Utrecht:
Board meetings uitklapper, klik om te openen
UMCU-YA has once in the 6 weeks a board meeting to discuss different scientific themes. The chair and co-chair represent the UMCU-YA at regular meetings of the program boards of the UMCU focus areas and Utrecht Life Sciences. This allows their voices to be heard in the decision making process, and also informs young investigators of important decisions on which they should anticipate.
Gatherings uitklapper, klik om te openen
UMCU-YA organises and hosts gatherings where all researchers who are active in Life Sciences research at the Utrecht Science Park can come together to discuss their research and current topics of interest, ranging from teaching practices to diversity. These gatherings provide the perfect networking opportunity for the start of interdisciplinary and collaborative research. It also helps starting group leaders to get to know other researchers at the Utrecht Science Park. The UMCU-YA made a mailing list of all young investigators within the UMCU to announce news and events. UMCU-YA is also involved in promoting collaborations between the WUR/UU/TUe/UMCU, the Young Academy Alliance (see below):
Events
Date | |
---|---|
10 Feb 2023 | UMC Utrecht YA Careers & Networking Series: ConnecTED UMC Utrecht YA will host “ConnecTED”, the next event in our UMC Utrecht YA Careers & Networking Series. The event will feature TED-talk style mini-presentations from rising early-mid stage investigators in each strategic program of the UMC Utrecht (7mins each). Each speaker will also be pitched questions about their experiences establishing a research line in the UMC and their views on how to support early-mid stage UMC Utrecht investigators. The programme for the event will be: 16:00-17:00 - Welcome from the UMC Utrecht YA & Plenary Session - Welcome from the UMC Utrecht YA: Dr. Jannie Wijnen & Dr. Kevin Kenna - Speerpunt Brain: Dr. Frank Meye (Assist Prof) - Speerpunt I&I: Dr. Annemarijn de Boer (Assist Prof) - Speerpunt Cancer: Dr. Aniek Janssen (Assoc Prof) - Speerpunt RMSC: Dr. Riccardo Levato (Assoc Prof) - Speerpunt Circ Health: Dr. Elisa Dal Canto (Assist Prof) - Speerpunt Child Health: Dr. Maria Luisa Tataranno (Clinical Scientist) 17:00-18:00. - Drinks & Networking Game. You can register through this link and find more info: https://forms.gle/8qfFMbWc5sD9oqnp6 |
23 June 2022 | UMC Utrecht YA Careers & Networking Series: Carreer symposium Together with our UMCU partners, we are organizing a Career & Science Symposium on Thursday June 23rd . The symposium will be focused on Research Career support and opportunities within and outside UMC Utrecht. You can register through this link and find more info: https://openscience-utrecht.com/events/osmed2022/. |
16 Sept 2021 | CUCo Centre Launch Event On September 16th from 12-16 (time might still change), the CUCo physical location in the Vening Meineszgebouw C on the UU Campus will be opened and we want to celebrate this occasion with a special event. Our current planning is to hold the event in the CUCo Centre itself. However, with the current Covid-19 infections rising, we will have to wait a bit longer to confirm the location, as safety for everyone is our priority. We will share the program with you as we get closer to the date. |
28 May 2021 | Empowering career development for young investigators in UMCU On May 28, 14-16h, the Young Academy of UMC Utrecht is hosting an online event on career development at UMC Utrecht. At the UMC Utrecht, academic research is organized in strategic programs, with researchers contributing to (pre)clinical and translational research lines that aim at improving patient’s lives in the shorter or longer run. Based on a survey that was organized by the Oncoboard in January 2021, the status, prospects and recognition of early-career researchers has become a topic of great awareness and urgency. Indeed, career development in academia is changing, and for this reason, the Young Academy of UMC Utrecht organizes an online Career Event on May 28 2021, from 14-16h! There will be 2 outstanding speakers, Bram Akkermans (Maastricht University) and Rinze Benedictus (UMC Utrecht), who will give presentations on recognizing and rewarding of academic staff and academic citizenship and will lead a discussion afterwards. Register here by Wednesday, May 26! |
27 October 2020 | 2nd Young Academy Alliance Webinar more information |
24 June 2020 | Young Academy Alliance Webinar |
31 March 2020 | 3nd Young Academy Alliance meeting, Eindhoven. Pitch possible subjects for collaborations and breakout sessions to make new connections/pitches. |
11 March 2020 | Strategic alliance launch, Utrecht Brainstorm together, explore opportunities and inspire each other, in order to give direction to the collaboration. |
20 Feb 2020 | 2nd Young Academy Alliance meeting, Ede/Wageningen. Pitch possible subjects for collaborations and breakout sessions to make new connections/pitches. |
20 Nov 2019 | Ist Young Academy Alliance meeting, Utrecht. A brainstorm afternoon addressing important societal challenges and to create original ideas for collaborations with the four differen institutes. |
15 Apr 2019 | Kick off meeting UMCU-YA, Utrecht |
UMCU-YA Members uitklapper, klik om te openen
These are the members of the UMCU Young Academy. They work as post-doc, assistant- or associate- professor within the different strategic programs at the UMCU.

dr. ir. J.P. (Jannie) Wijnen
Associate Professor

dr. dr.h.c.mult A.L.G. (Alexander) Leemans
Associate Professor
dr. P. (Pieter) Vader
Associate Professor

dr. ir. H.L.D.M. (Hanneke L.D.M.) Willemen
Assistant Professor

dr. K.P. (Kevin) Kenna
Associate Professor

dr. M. (Marta) Villani
Assistant Professor - medical

dr. M.P. (Mylène) Jansen
Assistant Professor

dr. M. (Martin) Teraa
Assistant Professor - medical

dr. G. (Ganna) Rozhnova
Associate Professor

dr. Y. (Julia) Berezutskaya
Researcher/Postdoc

dr. S.A.E. (Sanne) Peters
Associate Professor

dr. M. (Mariana) Pedroso Branco
Researcher/Postdoc

dr. K.A.G.J. (Kim) Romijnders
Assistant Professor

dr. I. (Inge) Stegeman
Associate Professor

dr. M.J. (Maria) Rodriguez Colman
Associate Professor

dr. M.L. Tataranno
PHD Candidate - Other

dr. T. (Theo) van den Broek
Assistant Professor - medical
Previous UMCU-YA Members: uitklapper, klik om te openen
Dr. Klomp, Dr. Bekker, Dr. de Ridder, Dr. Boes, Dr. Nijhof, Dr. Meye, Dr. Gawlitta
Interested in becoming a member?
We welcome any scientist who is not yet a full professor and who maintains an experimental research line in an area of fundamental/translational/clinical research in the life sciences. To join the UMCU-YA, please contact us via email.
Contact uitklapper, klik om te openen
If you have any queries, contact us via email: UMCUYA@Umcutrecht.nl