Campus Groningen is not only a place where innovations are created, but also where all kinds of love blossom: romantic love, family love, love for the profession, and the power of collaboration. Just before Valentine's Day, we share three stories straight from the heart of the campus.
Ruby & Marcel - Love via an Outlook ticket
Sometimes love starts in the most unexpected place: with an IT ticket. Ruby (who works at Triade on the Healthy Ageing Campus) was struggling with a persistent Outlook problem that ended up with Marcel (UMCG) after months of wandering around. After countless phone calls, the mystery was solved and Ruby, as promised, showed up at his department with a box of ice cream. That's when the spark really ignited. They have now been together for 9.5 years.
Saskia & Ton – partners in life, innovation, and the fight against implant infections
Saskia and Ton run TVH Life Science Partners together, where they guide early-stage biotech and medtech startups toward sustainable growth. They are also the founders of Sabiad, which has been based at the Healthy Ageing Campus since 2026. Sabiad develops groundbreaking technology to detect implant infections more quickly—crucial for hip and knee prostheses where every day counts. Their joint mission is as personal as it is professional: to accelerate innovation that can help patients worldwide faster, safer, and better. Love for each other and for impact, united in one company.
Erik & André Heeres – brotherly love in the materials transition
Erik (University of Groningen) and André (Hanze University of Applied Sciences) work together as brothers on the materials transition: away from fossil raw materials, towards renewable materials and better reuse. Their hybrid research group combines fundamental chemistry with applied research and trains students who will soon be making a difference in a circular economy. Their strength lies in their complementarity: Erik with his analytical eye, André with his creative thinking: a duo that reinforces each other at exactly the right moment.
Who is developing the most impactful innovation in Life Sciences & Health in the Northern Netherlands? Five companies are in the running for the LIFE Science Innovation Award 2026: Flux Robotics, Limosa Immunodiagnostics, SPCTR, MimeCure and GlycanScan International. The nominees will present their innovations on Tuesday 22 September during the fifth edition of the LIFE Science Conference in Groningen. An independent jury will select the winner, who will receive a €10,000 cash prize.
A much-loved tradition The Campus Trail has become a much-loved tradition on campus. Students, employees and professionals from companies and organisations across the campus ecosystem lace up their running shoes for a sporty 6.4-kilometre route through buildings and past some of the campus’s unique labs. The rapid growth in registrations shows just how much the Campus Trail has become part of the campus community. The combination of sport, meeting others and the unique campus setting makes the run a great opportunity to connect with people outside the usual work and study environment. And there’s no need to head home as soon as you cross the finish line. During the after-party, hosted by Contini Catering, participants can relax together, enjoy a drink and celebrate the afternoon. There’s still time to join: those who want to take part can register online until 3 September, or sign up on the day itself using the PIN Campus Trail 2026 | Campus Groningen.
ZonMw is expected to open the final call for proposals within the PharmaNL Shared Development Infrastructure (SDI) program line. This program line focuses on strengthening the infrastructure for the development, upscaling, and production of innovative medicines in the Netherlands.
