Gert Stulp, a researcher at the University of Groningen, has been nominated for the title of Scientific Talent 2018 by New Scientist magazine.
Stulp’s research analyses lifestyle, environmental factors and genetic makeup to figure out why people choose to have bigger or smaller families. His work has determined that Dutch people are generally taller because tall people typically had more children than shorter people in past generations.
According to the Groningen Internet Courant, Stulp’s findings contribute to population forecasts in the Netherlands, which in turn can inform government policy on pensions, housing and health care.
Dutch universities and knowledge institutions nominated talented young researchers for the title over the past few months, and 25 scientists made the final selection. This year’s jury includes chairperson Stan Gielen (NWO chairperson), Melanie Peters (director of the Rathenau Institute), Lieve van Hoof (co-chairperson of the Jonge Academie), Joos Vandewalle (KVAB chairperson) and Jim Jansen.
The jury will consider the candidates over the next couple of weeks, and the results of the audience vote will be combined with the jury’s findings. Each component will count for 50 percent. The winner will receive a cash prize of 2,500 euros, provided in part by the Rathenau Institute.
Public voting will be open at the New Scientist’s website between 24 April and 6 May. The prize will be awarded during a ceremony on 31 May at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht.
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