Niels van Best | Winner of the 2026 Hustinx Science Award
Meet Dr. Niels van Best, NUTRIM researcher, winner of the 2026 Hustinx Science Award, and discover his research
Niels van Best received the Edmond Hustinx Prize during the opening of the academic year 2026 of Maastricht University
“With the Edmond Hustinx Prize, I aim to accelerate the transition from discovery to prevention," Niels explains. "My ambition is to develop a prevention programme in which Maastricht and the Euregion serve as a living lab for healthier, biodiverse play environments, ranging from nature-based playgroups to greener childcare facilities, underpinned by robust microbiome and immune system research.”
“Receiving this prize is a great honour. It feels like a strong vote of confidence from the Department of Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention, from NUTRIM and the many colleagues with whom I am developing this line of research. Precisely because this research relies heavily on collaboration, it means a great deal to me."
Congratulations Niels on this achievement!
Discover his research into how microbes in our early-life environment can shape our health.