Royal visit to our airway mucus experiment – talking science with His Majesty the King

On July 5, we had the great honour of welcoming His Majesty the King during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Young Academy. The day was all about curiosity, discovery, and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

To mark the occasion, our group leader Lilly Verhagen and bachelor’s student Erdem Uyanık led a lively, hands-on experiment with children — and with the King himself! Together, they created airway mucus and explored how viruses and bacteria behave when trapped in it using interactive materials.

The experiment sparked great enthusiasm and thoughtful questions, from both the young participants and our royal guest. A memorable moment highlighting the power of science to connect, inspire, and engage, no matter your age or title.