The Francqui Foundation has awarded the Collen-Francqui Start-Up Grant to VUB/VIB professor Damya Laoui. In addition to a financial allowance of €200.000, this three-year mandate also includes a research chair. This prestigious recognition will enable Prof Laoui to continue her award-winning research work into new immmunotherapies in fight against cancer. Professor Lieve Van den Block has also been honoured by the Francqui Foundation. She has been awarded the Francqui Research Professor title for her work within ageing, dementia and the end of life.
The Collen-Francqui Start-Up Grant is awarded every two years to promising scientists younger than 40 who are active in the biomedical domain. The lecturer holds the chair of the same name for three years and can use the grant of €200,00 to finance research publications or to recruit a researcher.