Celia Berkers elected member KNAW Young Academy

Every year The Young Academy selects ten talented new researchers to add to its ranks. In addition to their proven research excellence, Young Academy members take a broad interest in science and in science communication. 

This year, Celia Berkers from the ICI and Utrecht University has been selected as a new KNAW Young Academy member for a five-year period. She will be inducted on 8 June 2017 in Amsterdam. 

In her research, Celia Berkers (born 1980) uses mass spectrometry to study the metabolism of cancer and immune cells. She investigates the effect of drugs that inhibit proteasomes (protein complexes that degrade damaged proteins in cells) in cancer. Celia Berkers is also exploring how to control the immune system by intervening in the metabolism of specific immune cells. She organises debates and symposiums and lobbies for the interests of young researchers. She further aims to visit primary and secondary schools to talk to pupils about research issues and questions.