Lieven Vandersypen, professor of Quantum Nanoscience at Delft University of Technology and research director at Qutech, has been awarded the Spinoza Prize, the highest distinction in Dutch science. “Vandersypen enjoys a worldwide reputation for his pioneering work in quantum computing. He has been leading experiments that have shaped the research field for twenty years. He’s not only an outstanding scientist but also a visionary who advances his discipline through collaboration with partners in science and other domains,” writes Dutch Research Council NWO.
The Spinoza Prize is awarded for outstanding, pioneering and inspiring research. Laureates receive 2.5 million euros, which they can spend on scientific research and activities related to knowledge utilization. Besides Vandersypen, the prize has been granted to José van Dijck (Social Sciences, Universiteit Utrecht), Marc Koper (Chemistry, Leiden University) and Maria Yazdanbakhsh (Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center).
The award, along with the Stevin Prize to honor research with a high societal impact, will be presented at a ceremony that takes place on Wednesday 13 October.