Amsterdam Center for Origins of Life
Part of the Dutch national Origins Center
At AMCOOL, we foster scientific collaborations on the broad theme of Origins of Life, we pursue new research and education opportunities on this topic and combine resources between interdisciplinary institutes.
On our site, you can find information about our activities, research, education, outreach and people. Interested in more? Become part of AMCOOL.
Activities
Every month, we organise either a public lecture by a renowned Origins researcher or a network meeting where we discuss possible collaborations, grant opportunities and many more topics.
Research
Researchers and students from various disciplines within the Science faculty are investigating and collaborating on different aspects of the origins of life on Earth and beyond.
Education
Researchers, teachers, and students are developing and teaching in a series of education initiatives at UvA, such as the honours course How to Design an Alien, Big History, and the minor Origins InterSpecial.
Outreach
Various research and educational projects and initiatives on the origins of life are linked to outreach efforts at local and national schools and musea, and many more places.
Our Steering committee
AMCOOL’s steering committee consists of the following people, representing different research and educational institutes involved in Origins of Life in Amsterdam:
Dr. ir. Annemieke Petrignani (chair)
Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS)
Assistant Professor of Astrohemistry to Prebiotic Chemistry
Dr. Alessandra Candian
Anton Pannekoek Institute of Astronomy (API)
InterSpecial Assistant Professor of Interstellar Astrochemistry and Planetary Astrobiology
Dr. Thomas Blankers
Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)
Assistant professor of Evolutionary Ecology
Meike Wortel
Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS)
Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Systems Biology
Dr. ir. Esther Quaedackers
Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS)
Lecturer in big history and educational developer