NWO Veni grants for seven young Rotterdam researchers

Dr Bastian Ravesteijn: Improving access to mental healthcare
Some people with a psychological disorder receive insufficient care, while others receive too much care. Ravesteijn’s research used the introduction of the Personal Contribution as a natural experiment. Using statistical methods, he is researching the extent to which personal payments can result in optimum access to mental healthcare.

Erasmus School of Economics

Dr Chen Li: Entrapped in gender stereotypes?
The quest for gender equality appears to be more difficult than at first thought, partly because of the hidden nature of stereotyping. Li uses behavioural-economic techniques to combat stereotyping. She will be introducing a new measure of stereotyping and the welfare costs of stereotyping, will identify the causes of stereotyping and introduce new techniques to reduce stereotyping.

Erasmus School of Economics

Dr Krzysztof Postek: Resolving large-scale optimisation problems with machine learning
Optimisation at times of uncertainty, such as schedules for public transport providers or protection from floods, comprise successive decision-making and information inflow. Solutions need to achieve high performance levels, and decisions need to be adapted according to the latest information. Postek’s goal is robust optimisation combined with machine learning.

Erasmus School of Economics

Dr Mariëlle Beenackers: How urbanisation influences mental health
More and more people are living in cities. To accommodate everyone, people are living closer to each other. How healthy is that? With the help of residents and innovative methods, the research identifies the impact of recent urbanisation in the Randstad in the Netherlands on mental health.

Erasmus MC

Dr Pieter van den Berg: Better support in cases of need
For service providers such as ambulance services and roadside assistance, the service involves bringing the right assistance to a location as quickly as possible. Van den Berg is developing models to improve this service provision through improved distribution and allocation of vehicles across the region.

Rotterdam School of Management

Dr Simone Dalm: How can early treatment influence the success of radionuclide imaging and therapy
Prostate and breast cancer can be visualised and treated with focused radioactive molecules. The result of this can be influenced by previous treatments. Dalm’s research shows the influence of previous treatments and helps to determine when and in whom radioactive molecules can best be used.

Erasmus MC

Dr Thomas Lambert: Financial supervisory authorities and political dynamics
Following the crisis, most central banks were given explicit responsibilities with respect to financial stability. This made them more sensitive to political pressure. Lambert is analysing the political dynamics around central banks and the impact on financial stability. The research uses new data sources and advanced statistical methods.

Rotterdam School of Management