Dori Grijseels receives 2026 ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize

We are proud to share that Dr Dori Grijseels, postdoctoral researcher in the research group “Neurobiology of Magnetoreception”, led by Pascal Malkemper, at our institute, has been awarded the 2026 ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize.

The prize recognizes researchers in Europe who have made outstanding contributions to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in brain research. It is jointly presented by the ALBA Network and the FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence.

At our institute, Dori studies the neural correlates of social behavior in subterranean mole-rats. Alongside their research, they are internationally engaged in improving conditions for LGBTQIA+ scientists in neuroscience. As Chair of the ALBA Gender & Sexual Diversity Working Group, Dori has contributed to widely adopted guidelines for inclusive demographic data collection and inclusive research practices, and to international initiatives aimed at fostering safer and more equitable scientific environments.

“I am honored to have received this award, and believe it will help me greatly in my goal to make science a better place for the queer and trans scientists of the future,” Dori says.

The award will be presented at the FENS Forum 2026 in Barcelona.

More information about the prize can be found on the ALBA website.