Renee Hoekzema is awarded a project within PRELIFE consortium on the origins of life

The interdisciplinary research consortium PRELIFE has been awarded an NWA grant by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) for investigating the origin of life on Earth and in the universe. The consortium will receive €6.7 million to explore this research question, and comprises scientists from sixteen universities and research institutes across the Netherlands.

Within this consortium, Renee Hoekzema will collaborate with Naturalis geochemist Mark van Zuilen on the characterisation of ancient fossils in the rock record using Topological Data Analysis.  In particular, they will study how to best to distinguish biotic from abiotic traces in ancient rocks. Topological data analysis (TDA) is an upcoming field at the intersection of data science and mathematics applying advanced techniques from the mathematical field of topology in the study of shapes in data. In recent years, a novel quantitative approach has been initiated with the aim to compare the morphology of biological microstructures with those of abiotic microstructures using morphological measurements and image/shape analysis. Renee is particularly well placed for this project, as she is both a specialist in TDA and in palaeontology. 

NWA

A total of nine consortia have received funding for research within the program line “Research along Routes by Consortia” (ORC) of the National Science Agenda (NWA). Each consortium will work on a project centered around a theme from the NWA routes. In these projects, researchers collaborate with knowledge partners and societal organizations.

The foundation for the creation and renewal of the National Science Agenda lies with citizens. In the NWA program, connecting society and science is essential. Governments, researchers, societal organizations, and citizens jointly develop and utilize knowledge to achieve scientific and societal impact. Through science communication, knowledge is shared within society to increase involvement in and trust of science.

More information on the PRELIFE consortium and all the work packages.