Scientific Challenges Today and Tomorrow: 225 years Royal Natural Sciences Society

Authors

Lubbert Dijkhuizen (ed), ; George B. Huitema (ed), ; Ulco Kooystra (ed), ; Lou de Leij (ed), ; Petra Rudolf (ed), ; Guus Termeer (ed), ; Ton Schoot Uiterkamp (ed), ; Danara Vonk (ed),

Synopsis

Scientific Challenges Today and Tomorrow has been published to mark the 225th anniversary of the Royal Natural Sciences Society in Groningen (KNG). This jubilee book brings together chapters written by a selection of leading researchers from the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Science & Engineering and from the University Medical Centre Groningen. They reflect on scientific progress in the fields of Energy & Environment; Artificial Intelligence; Life & Health; Prediction, Prevention & Care; the Universe; Personalized Medicine; Advanced Materials; and Health, Ageing & Disease.

The book blends scientific advances with reflections on the Society’s distinguished history and reveals how today’s discoveries may help shape the future.

Scientific Challenges Today and Tomorrow is an inspiring tribute to the Society’s enduring mission: stimulating curiosity, advancing knowledge, and connecting science and society—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Koninklijk Natuurkundig Genootschap

Publisher: University of Groningen Press
Broerstraat 4 9712 CP Groningen
The Netherlands

Science and language editor: Jackie Senior

Cover design: Riëtte van Zwol

Typesetting and production support: LINE UP boek en media bv

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Author Biographies

Lubbert Dijkhuizen,

is Professor Emeritus of Microbiology (Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen) and Chief Scientific Officer at CarbExplore Research. He was a member of the Royal Natural Sciences Society (KNG) Board (1997-2024) and is now an Honorary Member. 

George B. Huitema,

is Professor Emeritus of ICT & Business at the University of Groningen and is secretary of the Royal Natural Sciences Society (KNG). He is interested in the history of science.

Ulco Kooystra,

is a chemical historian and he worked as a scientific information specialist at the University Library and the Documentation Centre for Dutch Political Parties of the University of Groningen. He wrote a thesis on Sibrandus Stratingh Ez. (1785–1841), one of the founders of the Natural Sciences Society.

Lou de Leij,

is Professor Emeritus of Medical Biology at the UMCG/University of Groningen with a special research interest in immunology. He is a member of the Board of the Royal Natural Sciences Society (KNG). 

Petra Rudolf,

is Professor Emeritus of Experimental Solid State Physics (Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen). She was a member of the Royal Natural Sciences Society (KNG) Board (2004–2024) and is now an Honorary Member. 

Guus Termeer,

was editor-in-chief of the UK, the Groningen university weekly newspaper and head programme maker of Studium Generale Groningen (an annual lecture programme for the general public). He has been the coordinator for this jubilee book and advisor to the editorial team.

Ton Schoot Uiterkamp,

is Professor Emeritus of Environmental Sciences at the University of Groningen and the vice-chair of the Royal Natural Sciences Society (KNG) since 2022.

Danara Vonk,

is a PhD student at the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the UMCG/University of Groningen and the Department of Human Medicine at the Carl von Ossietzky University in Oldenburg.

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Published

April 17, 2026

Categories

Copyright (c) 2026 The authors

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords:

Science, Health, Technology, Future, Societies
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21827/6964aa59ba340

Details about the available publication format: PDF

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ISBN-13 (15)

978-94-034-3146-8

Publication date (01)

2026-04-17

Details about the available publication format: Order Hardcover

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ISBN-13 (15)

9789403431451