Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 2h

Maastricht wins bid for a top European medical conference 🎉 A major win for the city, the university & the region — highlighting its growing role in medical research and global collaboration. Congratulations to all! 👏

👉 Read more: edu.nl/twm4e

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 21h

Cultured meat 🍔, fungi-based chocolate 🍫, or insect cereal 🐜 — food innovation is booming. But before they hit our plates, they must pass the EU’s strict Novel Food Regulation. Why it’s both a challenge and an opportunity for companies 👉 edu.nl/9tmxb

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 1d

Sweeteners can help keep the kilos off after dieting 🧃

An international study (incl. UM) found that people who replace sugar with sweeteners maintain weight loss better — and even see positive changes in gut bacteria.

Published in Nature Metabolism.

Read more 👉 edu.nl/8mx3b

#Sweeteners #Research

1

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 2d

Terugblik: Weekend van de Wetenschap 2025 🧠👧

Op 4 oktober openden de faculteiten van UM en partners in Maastricht & Venlo hun deuren voor iedereen die wetenschap écht wilde ervaren — van mini-colleges tot AI-workshops en de ET Pathfinder.

Dank aan alle bezoekers & wetenschappers! 💙

🔬 edu.nl/d7y9m

1

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 3d

Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing brain disease in NL — over 70,000 people are affected, with 1,500 new diagnoses each year. Yet treatment options remain scarce.

That’s why Meagan Hannemann is exploring new therapies to improve patients’ quality of life. 💡

Read more 👉 edu.nl/cq7hx

1

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 5d

🇳🇱🏡 With elections looming, housing dominates Dutch politics: can young voters still find an affordable home? Other EU countries face the same—but Belgium shows it doesn’t have to go this way. Prof. Piet Eichholtz urges a “European lens”. Read more 👉 edu.nl/8vtxe

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 7d

Maastricht University enrolment stays stable at ~23,000 students. A 3% rise in new intake offsets last year’s dip. Nearly 60% now come from the Netherlands or Euregio. With labour shortages, steady student numbers are key for Limburg’s future. 🔗 edu.nl/vedka

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 9d

“She’s painting a picture of European unity.” 🇪🇺
Von der Leyen’s State of the Union touched on defence, the Green Deal, housing, workers’ rights & poverty—drawing mixed reactions across the political spectrum.

Full analysis 👉 edu.nl/4vkek

#EU #StudioEuropaMaastricht

1

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 13d

€2.3M EU grant for ethical AI in healthcare! 👏 Prof. Dr. Dominik Mahr leads JustHealth, co-creating a decolonized ethics framework, with Prof. Dr. Gaby Odekerken-Schröder strengthening SBE’s impact. The grant will also fund two PhD positions at UM. More: edu.nl/nfbju

#AI #HealthCare

1

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 14d

Hospitals produce 8% of Europe’s plastic waste—much of it clean and reusable. CIRHECA, a new €3M EU-backed project led by Maastricht University, will recycle 4,200 tonnes annually into high-quality medical plastics. ♻️ Read more 👉 edu.nl/fbpdm

#CircularEconomy #HealthcareInnovation #Sustainability

2

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 14d

Dr Anjusha Mathew’s team is combining two powerful tools—mass spectrometry and cryo-electron microscopy—to reveal how proteins work. Her research is important, because it could unlock clues to diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. Learn more 🔬 edu.nl/6weww

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · 16d

Big win at UM 🎉 Dr. Dongning Ren (FPN) has been awarded a prestigious ERC grant for The Ostracism Causal Project. Her research moves ostracism studies beyond the lab, showing how being ignored impacts health, wellbeing & behaviour. 🔗 Read more: edu.nl/hjxxm

@erc.europa.eu

2

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Sep 4

Psychedelics are reshaping mental health research. 🌱🧠
Natasha Mason (FPN, Maastricht University) studies how they boost neuroplasticity — and is nominated for New Scientist Wetenschapstalent 2025.

Interview 🔗 edu.nl/vc868

Vote here 👉 edu.nl/r4tnr

#Psychedelics #Neuroscience #MentalHealth

2 1

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Sep 1

👩‍🎓✨ Meet the five inspiring nominees for the UM Student Award 2025 — and discover the winner! 🎉

Each year, this award celebrates students who make a real impact beyond their studies.

🎥 Watch the video here 👇

#OAY25 #OAJ25

3

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Sep 1

🎓 Congrats to Dr. Roman Briker, winner of the Hustinx Science Award 🎖️

Each year the award honours young research talent, supporting their research with €15,000. Dr. Biker's work explores trust & collaboration between humans and AI—a field shaping the future of work.

Watch the video 👇

#OAY25

1

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Sep 1

🎓 UM kicks off the academic year 2025/’26! President Rianne Letschert welcomes keynote speaker Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness.

🎥 Watch the intro video 👇

OAY live-stream: edu.nl/efjbp

#OAY25 #OAJ25

3 3

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Sep 1

Today UM kicks off the academic year 25/26, with the theme ‘UM innovates – today’s education, tomorrow’s skills’.

🏛️ Keynote speaker Roxana Mînzatu (EU)
🎓 Speakers Mark Levels (ROA) and Ellen Bastiaens (EDLAB)
🏅 Award ceremonies
💃🏻 Live performances

Livestream (15:30): edu.nl/efjbp

#OAY25 #OAJ25

3

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Aug 29

Roxana Mînzatu is keynote speaker at the Opening of the Academic Year 25/26 🎓

As EU Commissioner for Social Rights, Skills & Jobs, she shapes EU’s vision for inclusive growth & lifelong learning—aligning with our OAY theme: UM innovates – today’s education, tomorrow’s skills. 📺 edu.nl/efjbp

#OAY25

2

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Aug 29

In the Netherlands, a woman is killed every 8 days—usually by a (ex-)partner. Countless more face harassment + violence daily. Change is urgent, but possible. At UM, 2 yrs of our Sexual Safety Programme show growth, action + engagement. The road is long, but necessary. edu.nl/x3g7d

#SexualSafety

2 2

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Aug 27

📸 Recap in pictures: INKOM 2025 🎉🎒

An unforgettable week of parties, sports, culture & making new connections. Thanks to all volunteers, UM staff & thousands of students who made it so special. Here’s to a great start in Maastricht!

Full recap 👉 edu.nl/37tfx

#INKOM2025 #MaastrichtUniversity

1

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Aug 26

UM just hosted the first MaGIC Summer School ✨
25 physics teachers from across Europe explored gravitational waves & the Einstein Telescope—bringing Big Science into the classroom.

Dr. Gideon Koekoek: “Gravitational waves will unveil the most exciting mysteries of the universe.” 🌌

🔗 edu.nl/8pvmf

1

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Aug 26

Making a lasting impact? 🌱

By bequeathing to science through the University Fund Limburg (UFL), you can support research into health, sustainability and equality at UM.

On 23 Oct, UFL is hosting an info session on this topic.

Register here: edu.nl/hu4e3

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Aug 22

🎉 EDLAB turns 10!
We’re celebrating with EDLAB X: an exhibition + activities from 15 Sept–3 Oct at UM. Explore 10 years of education innovation, connect, and get inspired.

📅 Opening 15 Sept, 16:30
👉 Sign up: www.aanmelder.nl/167652/home

#MaastrichtUniversity #EDLABX #EducationInnovation

3 3

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Aug 19

European leaders at the White House: turning point or fleeting resolve? 🇪🇺🇺🇸

UM's Prof. Giselle Bosse warns Europe must do more to secure Ukraine’s place at the table—and safeguard its own credibility.

Read her expert take on the Studio Europa website 👉 edu.nl/vdb97

#UkraineWar #EuropeanProject

Maastricht University @maastrichtu.bsky.social · Aug 14

Students help with cold case research 🔍

@lawinmaastricht.bsky.social's ICCAP gives law students hands-on experience solving real unsolved cases. For Isis van Cruchten, it was the perfect match for her passion for cold cases.

Full story 👉 edu.nl/9uhwd

#ColdCases #Criminology #Forensics

1 1