Rianne de Heide, Associate Professor of Mathematical Statistics at UT and Researcher at CWI, and Lucas Slot, Postdoc researcher at the UvA, have been selected as members of the EMS Young Academy (EMYA) for the 2026–2029 term. The EMS Young Academy brings together a group of early-career mathematicians from across Europe who are recognised for their scientific work and for their engagement with the broader mathematical community. The EMS Young Academy is part of the European Mathematical Society (EMS), the main organisation representing mathematicians in Europe. The EMS supports mathematical research, education and collaboration across national and disciplinary boundaries, and plays an active role in connecting mathematics with society at large.
Rianne’s appointment reflects her strong research profile in mathematical statistics and machine learning. Her work focuses on developing new statistical methods for modern data analysis, including e-values for flexible and robust hypothesis testing. Alongside her research, she is actively involved in initiatives aimed at improving academic culture and supporting early-career researchers.
Lucas’s main research interest lies in polynomial optimization and semidefinite programming approaches to problems in optimization, discrete geometry, combinatorics. He has recently received a three-year VENI grant to develop his research on sum-of-squares algorithms. Lucas has also been awarded the Stieltjes Prize for the best mathematical PhD thesis in the Netherlands in the academic year 2022-2023.
As members of the EMS Young Academy, Rianne and Lucas will contribute to discussions and activities that help shape the future of mathematics in Europe. EMYA members advise the EMS, organise events, and act as a bridge between early-career researchers and the wider mathematical community.