{"id":53181,"date":"2026-09-23T09:53:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T07:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/?page_id=53181"},"modified":"2026-09-23T09:55:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T07:55:22","slug":"who-will-win-the-hugo-van-poelgeest-public-choice-award-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/who-will-win-the-hugo-van-poelgeest-public-choice-award-2026","title":{"rendered":"Who will win the Hugo van Poelgeest Public Choice Award 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background fusion-parallax-none nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-no-medium-visibility\" style=\"--awb-background-position:right center;--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-min-height:550px;--awb-min-height-small:400px;--awb-background-image:radial-gradient(circle at center center, rgba(0,154,191,0) 50%,#009abf 100%),url(https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HVP-webbanner-2026-3.png);;--awb-background-size:cover;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1040px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-stretch\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:30px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h1><\/h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 60px; color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\">Who will win the Hugo van Poelgeest Public Choice Award 2026?<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background fusion-parallax-none nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-no-large-visibility\" style=\"--awb-background-position:right center;--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-min-height-small:400px;--awb-background-image:radial-gradient(circle at center center, rgba(0,154,191,0) 50%,#009abf 100%),url(https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/HVP-webbanner-2026-1-e1789641131898.png);;--awb-background-size:cover;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1040px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-stretch\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:30px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-space-between fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h1><\/h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 60px; color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal; color: #000000;\">Who will win the Hugo van Poelgeest Public Choice Award 2026?<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:0px;--awb-padding-right:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:0px;--awb-padding-left:0px;--awb-margin-top:30px;--awb-margin-bottom:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1040px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-right-small:20px;--awb-padding-left-small:20px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:75%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.56%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.56%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><p><strong style=\"color: var(--awb-custom13);\">Do you want to support young researchers working towards a future without animal testing? Together with the Stichting Bouwstenen voor Dierenwelzijn (Building Blocks for Animal Welfare Foundation), we present the Hugo van Poelgeest Prize every two years to a young researcher conducting innovative, animal-free research in the life sciences.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"color: var(--awb-custom13);\">An expert jury selects the winner, but animal-free research isn&#8217;t just for scientists\u2014it belongs to everyone. That is why we also award a public prize of \u20ac1,500. Who wins it? That\u2019s up to you!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><p style=\"color: var(--awb-color8);\">Elise, Job, and Jesse prove day in, day out that a world without animal testing is possible. Which researcher do you think is most future-proof? Vote for your favorite now, and they might just win the 2026 Hugo van Poelgeest Public Choice Award!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: var(--awb-color8);\">You can vote until Sunday, <\/span><strong style=\"color: var(--awb-color8);\">November 1st<\/strong><span style=\"color: var(--awb-color8);\">, 2026. The winner will be announced on Friday, <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: var(--awb-color8);\">November 13th<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--awb-color8);\">, during our event &#8220;The Future is Human(e).&#8221; Keep an eye on our social media channels for the latest news! And please share this page so that even more people can cast their vote for animal-free science.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-background-color:var(--awb-color4);--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1040px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div id=\"polls-6\" class=\"wp-polls\">\n\t<form id=\"polls_form_6\" class=\"wp-polls-form\" action=\"\/index.php\" method=\"post\">\n\t\t<p style=\"display: none;\"><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"poll_6_nonce\" name=\"wp-polls-nonce\" value=\"4fd1fdbcdd\" \/><\/p>\n\t\t<p style=\"display: none;\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"poll_id\" value=\"6\" \/><\/p>\n\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;font-size: 30px;line-height: 33px\"><strong>Hugo van Poelgeest Public Choice Award 2026: Vote now for the scientist of the future!<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"polls-6-ans\" class=\"wp-polls-ans\"><ul class=\"wp-polls-ul\">\n\t\t<li><input type=\"radio\" id=\"poll-answer-18\" name=\"poll_6\" value=\"18\" \/> <label for=\"poll-answer-18\">Jesse Weidema<\/label><\/li>\n\t\t<li><input type=\"radio\" id=\"poll-answer-19\" name=\"poll_6\" value=\"19\" \/> <label for=\"poll-answer-19\">Job Berkhout<\/label><\/li>\n\t\t<li><input type=\"radio\" id=\"poll-answer-20\" name=\"poll_6\" value=\"20\" \/> <label for=\"poll-answer-20\">Elise Heesbeen<\/label><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul><p style=\"text-align: center\"><input type=\"button\" name=\"vote\" value=\"   Stemmen   \" class=\"Buttons\" data-poll-id=\"6\" data-poll-action=\"vote\" \/><\/p><\/div>\n\t<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"polls-6-loading\" class=\"wp-polls wp-polls-loading\"><span class=\"wp-polls-spinner\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Loading ...<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5 zwart\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h2 class=\"blauwtweeregels\">The Top 3 nominees<\/h2>\n<p>Earlier this year, research group leaders could nominate their early-career researchers for the Hugo van Poelgeest Prize. A scientific jury subsequently selected the following top three from all the nominees: <strong>Elise Heesbeen<\/strong>, <strong>Jesse Weidema<\/strong>, and <strong>Job Berkhout<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-border-color:rgba(0,152,191,0);--awb-border-style:solid;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% + 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:200px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:6px solid #ffffff;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" alt=\"Jesse Weidema\" title=\"Jesse-Weidema\" src=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jesse-Weidema.jpeg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-49683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jesse-Weidema-200x200.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jesse-Weidema.jpeg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6 zwart\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h2 class=\"blauwtweeregels\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Jesse Weidema<\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Jesse Weidema investigates the ethical and philosophical aspects of animal-free methods, such as organ-on-a-chip and organoids. In doing so, he focuses particularly on how these methods can genuinely replace animal testing. His work demonstrates that the transition to human-centric models is not solely about new technology; it also concerns how we understand, design, evaluate, and compare animal testing and animal-free methods.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-video fusion-youtube\" style=\"--awb-max-width:600px;--awb-max-height:360px;\"><div class=\"video-shortcode\"><div class=\"fluid-width-video-wrapper\" style=\"padding-top:60%;\" ><iframe title=\"YouTube video player 1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Cr22Hl6nXbg?wmode=transparent&autoplay=0\" width=\"600\" height=\"360\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture;\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% + 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:200px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:6px solid #ffffff;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" alt=\"Job Berkhout\" title=\"Job_Image_Cropped\" src=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Job_Image_Cropped.jpeg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-49685\" srcset=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Job_Image_Cropped-200x200.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Job_Image_Cropped.jpeg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7 zwart\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h2 class=\"blauwtweeregels\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Job Berkhout<\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Job Berkhout is working on an animal-free method to predict which substances could be harmful to the early development of the unborn child. In his research, Job combines artificial intelligence with a dynamic computer model based on experimental biological data. In doing so, he is laying the foundation for a \u2018virtual embryo\u2019: a promising approach that can help better protect humans and the environment, without the use of animal testing.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-video fusion-youtube\" style=\"--awb-max-width:600px;--awb-max-height:360px;\"><div class=\"video-shortcode\"><div class=\"fluid-width-video-wrapper\" style=\"padding-top:60%;\" ><iframe title=\"YouTube video player 2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YZ-BipNtXm0?wmode=transparent&autoplay=0\" width=\"600\" height=\"360\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture;\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% + 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:200px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:6px solid #ffffff;border-radius:50%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" alt=\"Elise Heesbeen\" title=\"PromotieElise-18\" src=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PromotieElise-18.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-49687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PromotieElise-18-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PromotieElise-18.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8 zwart\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h2 class=\"blauwtweeregels\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Elise Heesbeen<\/h2>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Elise Heesbeen investigates how the immune system can influence the development of anxiety disorders. In her research, she employs three animal-free methods, gaining new insights into the development, potential prevention, and treatment of anxiety disorders. Her work demonstrates that there are various ways to conduct complex research without the unnecessary use of laboratory animals, while improving our knowledge of mental health.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-video fusion-youtube\" style=\"--awb-max-width:600px;--awb-max-height:360px;\"><div class=\"video-shortcode\"><div class=\"fluid-width-video-wrapper\" style=\"padding-top:60%;\" ><iframe title=\"YouTube video player 3\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0HWXNbdpzdM?wmode=transparent&autoplay=0\" width=\"600\" height=\"360\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture;\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-7 has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9 zwart\" style=\"--awb-text-transform:none;\"><h2 class=\"blauwtweeregels\">What is the Hugo van Poelgeest Prize?<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/hugo-van-poelgeest-award\">Hugo van Poelgeest Prize<\/a> is the oldest Dutch award for animal-free scientific research. Mrs. Van Poelgeest-Spatkova established it to honor her late husband, Hugo van Poelgeest, who dedicated his life to animal welfare.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why is this an important prize?<\/strong><br \/>\nIn the past, the prize was awarded every four years by the Bouwstenen voor Dierenwelzijn (Building Blocks for Animal Welfare) foundation. Since 2019, we have been involved in organizing it, and the prize is now awarded every two years. We currently focus on the new generation of scientists, aiming to inspire them to continue working with animal-free models.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-8 has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling fusion-equal-height-columns\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-11 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-9 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling bereiken_sec\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-background-color:#009abf;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-12 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last bereiken_sec_inner\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:20px;--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\"><h3 class=\"lezen\">You might want to read this also:<\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-13 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% + 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-max-width:200px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:6px solid #ffffff;border-radius:50%;\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/actueel\/winnaar-hugo-van-poelgeestprijs-2024\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"giulia moreni 200&#215;200\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" alt=\"Giulia Moreni\" src=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/giulia-moreni-200x200-1-e1789641356340.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-53194\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11\"><h2 class=\"weten\"><a href=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/updates\/winner-hugo-van-poelgeest-award-2024\">Winner Hugo van Poelgeest Prize 2024<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-14 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% + 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-5 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:6px solid #ffffff;border-radius:50%;\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/actueel\/niels-harlaar-wint-hugo-van-poelgeestprijs\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Niels Harlaar (288 x 288)\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Nierls Harlaar\" src=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Niels-Harlaar-288-x-288-200x200.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-33554\" srcset=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Niels-Harlaar-288-x-288-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Niels-Harlaar-288-x-288.jpg 288w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12\"><h2 class=\"weten\"><a href=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/updates\/niels-harlaar-wins-hugo-van-poelgeest-award\">Winner Hugo van Poelgeest Prize 2022<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-15 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% + 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content-centered\"><div class=\"fusion-column-content\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element fusion-image-align-center in-legacy-container\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><div class=\"imageframe-align-center\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-6 hover-type-none\" style=\"border:6px solid #ffffff;border-radius:50%;\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/hugo-van-poelgeestprijs\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"FDA nieuwsbericht\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Hugo van Poelgeestprijs\" src=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/FDA-nieuwsbericht-200x200.png\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-33992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/FDA-nieuwsbericht-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/FDA-nieuwsbericht.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13\"><h2 class=\"weten\"><a href=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/hugo-van-poelgeest-award\">Hugo van Poelgeest Prize<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-53181","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53181"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53181\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53380,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53181\/revisions\/53380"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}