Essex student invited to Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

A PhD student has been honoured with an invitation to the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting where he will meet pioneering scientists and past Nobel Prize winners from around the world.

Marco Konings, a PhD student from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences is one of 600 young scientists to be invited to the 68th annual meeting for Physiology and Medicine in Lindau, Germany from 24 to 29 June.

Marco, who is studying the ‘regulation of exercise intensity during competition’ was delighted to be chosen.

He said: “I was greatly honoured and excited when I found out I was invited to participate. It was certainly humbling to have my work recognised by the Lindau Nobel committee.”

The annual Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting is a 6-day scientific programme where academics, past Nobel Prize winners and upcoming scientists will discuss the key topics, share information and inspire one another through research and innovation.

Marco’s research examines the influence of competitors on the regulation of exercise intensity and fatigability during high-intensity exercise. His research combines areas of exercise physiology, psychology, and biomechanics.

He said: “The working of the human body has always fascinated me. By doing research I hope to contribute in unraveling some of the complexity of it. I feel privileged to represent the University of Essex at this meeting and have the opportunity to meet and discuss ideas with Nobel prize winners and some of the most talented young scientists.”

He says his experience at Essex was crucial to his studies.

He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the University of Essex. It has some great facilities for sport science research including access to advanced cycle ergometers, an electrical muscle stimulator and eye-tracking technology.

The academic expertise and support provided by staff from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences allowed Marco to realise his potential.

“The school consists of some of the world-leading scientists in my topic of research and the ability to discuss my ideas with them was highly valuable. The support from my supervisor Dr Florentina Hettinga was very rewarding. Her input and feedback during countless coffee meetings were key elements in both my academic and personal development that I achieved in the last few years.”

Dr Hettinga, who recommended Marco to apply for the meeting said: “It was wonderful news to hear Marco was selected to attend the Lindau Nobel meeting. His doctoral research is of very high quality and he has won several awards, including the prestigious young investigator award at the European Conference of Sport Science. He has been very productive, producing nine quality papers in this early phase of his career already and it is a great pleasure to work with him!”