On Wednesday 17 June, the Radboudumc research community came together for Research Strategy Day 2026, a day of reflection, discussion, and recognition. The program combined a forward-looking conversation on the future of research at Radboudumc with the annual award ceremony, celebrating both strategic development and the people and teams who help shape research excellence, openness, and culture.
From the 3 C’s to a fourth
A central thread throughout the day was the question of how to create meaningful societal impact through research. During the SEP process, Radboudumc had already worked with the 3 C’s: common goals, collaboration, and cross-sector partnerships. In her keynote, Karien Stronks, Chair of the Health Council and Professor of Public Health at Amsterdam UMC, used those same 3 C’s to reflect on what it takes to make impact in practice. Drawing on examples from public health research and long-term collaboration, she showed how progress depends not only on scientific excellence, but also on shared language, curiosity across disciplines, and the organizational space to sustain collaboration over time.
She closed by adding a fourth C: curiosity. Later in the program, Guillén Fernández jokingly remarked that there was now “competition on the 4th C” before introducing one of his own: commitment.
From SEP feedback to continuous refinement
The keynote was followed by a reflection on the recent SEP evaluation and what it means for the next phase of Radboudumc’s research programs. Guillén Fernández, Nicolai Giling, and Joram Sjoerts discussed the main takeaways, highlighting both the strong validation of the institute’s work and the invitation to make sharper choices in the years ahead.
Their reflections focused on the continued development of research programs, the importance of clearer impact pathways, and the need to respond thoughtfully to governance-related feedback. In the poster session, colleagues were invited to share ideas on how best to address that feedback. In the breakout sessions, research groups exchanged feedback on the program-specific recommendations, creating space for open discussion, mutual learning, and concrete next steps.
Selected top research programs
The award ceremony also put five selected top research programs in the spotlight: Atherosclerosis & Thrombosis, Hearing & Vision 4 all: from diagnosis to treatment, Parkinson’s Disease & Other Movement Disorders, Vector-borne Diseases and Zoonoses, and Gynecologic Oncology. Together, they reflected the breadth of Radboudumc research and the combination of scientific quality, societal relevance, and future viability.
Guillen Fernandez (right) with Top research program leaders
Envision Award
The Envision Award honors the researcher who best captures their research or research impact in one image. This year, the award went to Ivar Noordstra. He was nominated alongside Verena Helgers and Milou Stevens.
The three nominated images each offered a striking window into research in practice: Verena Helgers used an image of a speckle-patterned knee implant to show how microscopic movements between implant and bone can reveal the strength of fixation after knee replacement surgery. Ivar Noordstra submitted an image of the eye of a five-day-old zebrafish embryo, highlighting the animal’s remarkable ability to repair retinal damage and its relevance for human eye disease. Milou Stevens focused on the digestive tract of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the site where viruses begin infection after a blood meal, as part of her work on disrupting transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
Eline Zwijgers announces Envision Award winner Ivar Noordstra
Open Science Award
The Open Science Award, focused this year on citizen science and meaningful public or patient involvement, was awarded to Gezondsterker.nl. The shortlist also included Meno Food, Project Madam, and Neurodiversity-OS.
Together, the shortlisted initiatives showed how openness in research can take many forms. From co-creation with citizens and patients to the development of new tools, communities, and methods, the nominees demonstrated how engagement with society can strengthen both the relevance and the impact of research.
Vera Poort (left) with Open Science Award winners Jenneken Naaldenberg, Julia van Calis, and Kris Bevelander of team Gezondsterker.nl
PhD Supervision Award
The PhD Supervision Award, based on nominations by PhD candidates, went to Janneke Grutters. The other nominees were Dennis Janssen, Erwin van Wyk, Getty Huisman-de Waal, Janna Vrijsen, Jeroen de Baaij, Marije Hogeveen, Marloes Henckens, and Peter-Bram ’t Hoen.
Across the nominations, recurring themes were trust, enthusiasm, scientific guidance, personal attention, and the creation of a safe and supportive environment in which PhD candidates can grow. The award highlighted the importance of supervision not only for scientific progress, but also for the broader research culture within Radboudumc.
Janneke Grutters (middle) receiving the PhD Supervision Award from jury members Maria Luiza Di Carlo Riato (left) and Catharina Jansen
About the awards
The Envision Award honours science communication that connects research to society. The Open Science Award highlights teams that set a standard in transparency, data sharing and collaboration. The PhD Supervision Award recognises supervisors who make a difference in the lives and careers of young researchers. All three awards reflect core values of Radboudumc’s research mission: relevance, openness and empowerment.
You can download this pdf for more information about the prizes, the jury, the nominations, and more.
Impression of the day
For an impression of the day, please check out the photo library.
