Lorentz Graduation Prize for Groningen Student

Femke Oosterhof, Master’s student of Physics at the University of Groningen, has won the Lorentz Graduation Prize for theoretical physics. The Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities (KHMW) in Haarlem awards the prize of € 3,000. The jury were full of praise about the high quality of Oosterhof's final thesis.
Oosterhof studied the phenomenon whereby neutrons (nuclear particles) spontaneously convert into antineutrons (neutron-antineutron oscillation). This phenomenon, if it can be observed, would be a strong indication in favour of ‘physics beyond the standard model’. Femke resorted to an effective quantum field theory to describe this ‘new physics’.
The jury were full of praise about the high quality of Oosterhof’s final thesis, which stood out due to a combination of a sound understanding of physics and impressive technical calculations. The way that the technically complicated calculations were so clearly explained was particularly unusual for a final thesis, in the opinion of the jury. The presentation ceremony will be held on 28 November.
In the meantime, Femke is continuing her research in a PhD at the University of Groningen, where she will apply the same techniques to neutron-antineutron oscillations in tiny atomic neuclei.
Last modified: | 01 February 2017 01.27 a.m. |
More news
-
10 July 2025
Dutch Research Agenda funding for nanomedicine research
Prof Dr Anna Salvati, Dr Christoffer Åberg and Prof Dr Siewert-Jan Marrink have been granted a National Science Agenda (NWA) funding to further develop life-saving drugs based on nanotechnology with the NanoMedNL consortium.
-
07 July 2025
Master’s student Industrial Engineering and Management Ana Lazar wins GUF 100 Prize
At the UG Ceremony of Merits on July 4, Ana Lazar was awarded the GUF 100 Prize, making her the best student of the Faculty of Science and Engineering 2024-2025.
-
03 July 2025
Erik Heeres receives RUG Impact Innovator Excellence Award
During the RUG Ventures Innovation Day, Prof. Erik Heeres of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (RUG) was awarded the Impact Innovator Excellence Award.