News item | 26-01-2024 | 14:13
Cisca Wijmenga and Peter Werkhoven become council members of the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI). The Council of Ministers has approved the nomination for the appointments on the proposal of Minister Dijkgraaf of Education, Culture and Science. Their appointment will take effect on February 1, 2024 for a period of four years.
Cisca Wijmenga studied biology in Groningen and obtained her PhD in genetics from the University of Leiden. She subsequently worked at various universities at home and abroad, after which she became Rector Magnificus of the University of Groningen in 2019. Since this year, she has held various strategic, administrative and supervisory roles at, among others, the University Medical Center Groningen and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research.
Peter Werkhoven worked in both fundamental and applied science during his career. He is currently professor of computer science at Utrecht University. He obtained his PhD at the intersection of physics and psychology, and worked at New York University and the University of Amsterdam. He is currently also Chief Scientist at TNO, where he also conducted research.
The AWTI provides solicited and unsolicited advice to government and parliament on science, technology and innovation. This can, for example, concern sharing and utilizing knowledge, innovative entrepreneurship or application and practice-oriented research. The AWTI’s advice is strategic and internationally oriented. The AWTI falls under the joint responsibility of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate.