Best UG Engineering Thesis 2021 for Charissa Roossien

Every year the Groningen Engineering Center gives an award to the most outstanding engineering thesis at the University of Groningen; the Best Engineering Thesis Award. The decision is made by a jury evaluating the thesis based on scientific quality and impact; long term societal impact and interdisciplinary connections. Because of COVID, the award ceremony of the Best Engineering Thesis Award 2021 was delayed until better time.

Now, we are happy to announce last year's winner, Dr. Charissa Roossien of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). Her promotor is prof dr. G.J. Verkerke

Roossien’s thesis, entitled Sensors@Work: Towards monitoring of physical workload for sustainable employability, contributes towards improving the health of workers doing heavy physical work, while it also has the potential to reduce the corresponding cost on the healthcare system by focusing on prevention. The thesis combines high scientific achievements with societal impact, while also managing to make important interdisciplinary connections. The committee was specifically very impressed with the publications that were included in the thesis, as well as the resulting engineering artifacts (system design and patent). Finally, Roossien’s work has touched upon numerous disciplines including health sciences, artificial intelligence, behavioral sciences and sensor technologies.

We congratulate Dr. Roossien on this award and are looking forward to seeing more of her work. Dr. Roossien will receive 1.000 EU to spent on scientific conference of visit of choice.

We would also like to congratualte Weijia Yao and Pim de Haan who became first and second runner up.