Leiden researchers awarded ERC Starting Grants
Researchers Caspar Jacobs (philosophy) and Fiamma Salerno (immunology) have been awarded an ERC Starting Grant 2026. Jacobs will study mathematical equations of physics theories, and Salerno hopes to learn more about how T cells develop protective functions.
Caspar Jacobs: research into mathematical equations of physics theories and their relation to the ‘real’ world
The aim of the philosophy of physics is to give an interpretation of the mathematical equations used to describe physics theories. The equations work, but what do they say about the real world? This project concerns three interrelated mathematical concepts used by physicists: dimensions, constants, and units.
Units such as the gramme or ounce are used to quantitatively express measurements; constants are special terms in the laws of nature that set the scale of the fundamental forces, such as gravity; and dimensions are part of an abstract order established by scientists to sort quantities such as speed and force into similar types.
Many physicists think that these concepts are useful tools for calculations, but do not have any correspondence to reality. But some physicists and philosophers have thought that dimensions, constants and units are themselves part of the world.
In this project, Jacobs will investigate which of these positions is correct. His hypothesis is that it is the second, realist view. This would mean that there is a particular relation between physical quantities, which can be used to explain why some laws of nature are in principle possible while others are not.
Read more about Caspar Jacobs’ research
Fiamma Salerno: research to uncover how T cells develop protective functions
LUMC researcher Fiamma Salerno has received the ERC Starting Grant to study how T cells develop their functions. T cells play a vital role in protecting us from disease. They help the body fight infections and cancer by taking on different roles depending on the type of threat they encounter. But what determines whether a T cell becomes a powerful disease fighter or loses its effectiveness?
Salerno wants to understand what happens inside a T cell as it acquires its function. In particular, she wants to discover how signals from the cell’s surroundings trigger internal changes that determine the specific role it takes on.
By uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind this process, she hopes to find new ways to guide immune responses more precisely, and ultimately improve vaccines and cancer treatments.
Read more about Fiamma Salerno’s ERC research
About the ERC Starting Grant
The ERC Starting Grant is a research grant for early-career researchers (0-10 years since completing their PhD) who have already promised excellent work. The grant may be up to €1.5 million for a period of five years, depending on the project. The European Research Council (ERC) was established by the European Union in 2007.