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Hrenya to discuss learning from the unexpected via Jacobus van 鈥榯 Hoff lecture on Sept. 17

Christine Hrenya

Professor Christine M. Hrenya will deliver the prestigious Jacobus van 鈥檛 Hoff lecture for the TU Delft Process Technology Institute. She joins a cadre of accomplished, notable researchers鈥攊ncluding Nobel laureates鈥攚ho have been honored with the lecture appointment.

鈥淏eing chosen to present this distinguished lecture is particularly gratifying since it is not specific to a research area, but it is instead intended to attract a wide audience,鈥 Hrenya said. 鈥淚t is named after the first Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, and several recent speakers are also Nobel laureates. I am humbled to join the past group of speakers.鈥

Hrenya鈥檚 talk is titled 鈥淟earning from the unexpected: Surprising behaviors in particulate systems鈥 and focuses on how some of the most meaningful and impactful findings in her group鈥檚 research have often come as a surprise.

鈥淭he findings which we may initially doubt because they are contrary to our expectations鈥攖he ones we scratch our heads over for seemingly endless hours and also the ones which help us unravel the physical mechanisms giving rise to said observations鈥攁re among the most satisfying,鈥 Hrenya said.

鈥淧reparing for this lecture made me reflect on my group鈥檚 work over the decades, which is always a good exercise. It helps to identify the strengths of our approach to research and expand on them, while also weeding any inefficiencies.鈥

The TU Delft Process Technology Institute holds the Jacobus van 鈥檛 Hoff Lecture each year, inviting distinguished speakers from the international biochemical and bioprocess community. The ceremony will be virtual for 2020.