Mirjam Leunissen (born in 1979) had already chipped away at various key dogmas of physics as a PhD student. Since then, she has studied how synthetic DNA can serve as a 'smart' adhesive for creating new nanomaterials. Her new research group at FOM-AMOLF studies multiple weak bonds in soft matter, for example as a model for receptor recognition between human cells. It is a topic that touches on many scientific disciplines, and her habit of collaborating with people in diverse research environments emphasises the interdisciplinary nature of her research. In addition, she frequently gives lectures and writes articles targeting lay persons, students, pupils, and teachers.
