Dutch Physicist Wins Prestigious Award and Plans to Champion Neurodiversity in Academia
Eindhoven, Friday, 20 March 2026.
Liesbeth Janssen from Eindhoven University of Technology has been awarded the NWO Athena Award, one of the Netherlands’ most prestigious honors for outstanding female researchers. The recognition comes with €50,000 in prize money, which Janssen intends to dedicate entirely to promoting neurodiversity awareness and support in academic environments.
Revolutionary Research in Glass Physics
Janssen leads the Non-Equilibrium Soft Matter group at TU/e’s Department of Applied Physics and Science Education, where she tackles one of physics’ most enduring mysteries: the glass phase [1]. Scientists have worked for decades to understand this unique form of solid that lacks a regular crystalline structure, yet physicists cannot explain the transition from liquid to this solid form [1]. The glass phase behaves like a solid externally but maintains the disorderly structure of a liquid inside [1]. Solving this fundamental puzzle could unlock applications ranging from fast-working computer chips and recyclable plastic to better understanding of asthma and cancer metastasis [1].
A Leader with Scientific Courage
Janssen’s approach to research demonstrates remarkable scientific boldness. Twelve years ago, as a postdoc in New York, she ignored her supervisor’s advice and began working on the theory of glass transition [1]. This decision exemplifies her philosophy that difficulty should not deter scientific pursuit. “The fact that something is difficult is no reason not to start. Then I say: Let’s do it!” Janssen stated [1]. APSE dean Kees Storm praised her scientific courage, describing her as having “more guts than many scientists” [1]. Storm became dean of the APSE department two years ago, after which Janssen succeeded him as chair of the Soft Matter and Biological Physics section [1].
Balancing Innovation with Purpose
While pursuing fundamental research, Janssen maintains a clear vision of practical applications. She explains that her work represents “a multi-year plan, a project that is constantly changing. Scientific innovations and new methods, such as the rise of machine learning, bring new insights and possibilities” [1]. However, she emphasizes the importance of responsible research funding. “Fundamental research is the basis of all innovation,” she notes, but adds that she is “consciously looking at possible future applications” because taxpayers’ investment “should yield something for society” [1]. She acknowledges the unpredictable nature of curiosity-driven research while recognizing that “resources are too scarce to see that as a license to investigate something arbitrarily” [1].
Champion of Workplace Diversity and Well-being
Janssen’s leadership extends beyond scientific research to creating supportive work environments. She leads her research group with a focus on mental well-being and manageable workloads, encouraging employees to prioritize health, set their own course, and maintain healthy work-life balance through flexible arrangements including remote work [1]. Working from home in Utrecht several days a week herself, she models the flexibility she advocates [1]. Her commitment to diversity runs deep: “The need for diversity is as obvious to me as the need for a laptop or a desk - it is simply a requisite to get good work done. Diverse teams take you further,” she explained [1]. The Athena Award follows previous TU/e winners Adriana Creatore in 2021 and Daniela Kraft in 2019 [1]. [alert! ‘Award date not specified in source - only states she “has won” the award’]