Moniek Tromp appointed Captain of Science of the Top Sector Chemistry

Prof. Moniek Tromp has been appointed Captain of Science of the Chemistry Top Sector by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. As from 1 July 2023, she succeeded Prof. Bert Weckhuysen from Utrecht University.

Moniek Tromp is a Professor of Material Chemistry at the University of Groningen. Alongside her work as a professor, Moniek Tromp is a figurehead for the Battery Competence Cluster NL and scientific director of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. Due to this, Tromp is closely engaged with the objectives of the Chemistry Top Sector and the TKI Green Chemistry and Circularity. She has worked closely with industry throughout her entire international academic career. In addition, Moniek Tromp served as a board member of the NWO Domain Science (Exacte en Natuurwetenschappen, ENW) and is the current chair of the Dutch Catalysis Society of the KNCV. Furthermore, she advocates more gender equality in the natural sciences, for example in her role as chair of the Dutch Network of Female Professors. She has also served as a Gender Equality Officer and develops programmes for primary schools addressing science, technology, and gender bias issues.

A physical chemist

Moniek Tromp is a physical chemist. Having worked abroad for ten years, she returned to the Netherlands and has been a Professor of Material Chemistry at the University of Groningen since 2018. Tromp studied Chemistry at Utrecht University, where she received her PhD cum laude in 2004 for her research within the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group.

An important role

Moniek Tromp: ‘The Chemistry Top Sector plays an important role in connecting knowledge, industry, and political decision-making in The Hague. In the past, I have had the opportunity to establish many collaborations between the world of academia and industry. I see it as a great challenge to be able to represent the world of academia, from science to practice-based research and vocational education, in the Top Sector team. With an international perspective, I look forward to seeking collaborations on promising innovations that are essential to enable the major transitions in the field of energy and resources, including circularity.’

Earlier this year Iris Vis, Professor of Industrial Engineering was appointed Captain of Science of the Top Sector Logistics.