Four students from the Arthur Alex Hoogendoorn Atheneum (AAHA) have been named Suriname’s winners of the international Viruskenner Project 2026. Jayden Rack, Khanysha Powel, Lea Holband, and Nia Tjon-A-Kon recently received a trophy in recognition of their participation and achievements in the project, during which they conducted research on the Oropouche virus.
In addition to the trophy, each team member received a recycled tote bag bearing the slogan: “Knowledge as Antivirus.”
Viruskenner is an international initiative of the Cirion Foundation and the Viroscience Lab at Erasmus MC in the Netherlands. The project encourages young people to explore topics related to viruses, public health, scientific research, and science communication.
As part of the program, students from different countries are challenged to investigate current public health issues and share their findings with the public in a clear and accessible way.
The AAHA team chose to focus its research on the Oropouche virus. As part of the project, the students developed educational materials, conducted research, and used digital media to raise public awareness by providing accurate information about the virus.
They also placed particular emphasis on increasing public awareness and combating misconceptions about the transmission of the disease.
According to the students, the project provided a unique opportunity to combine science, research, and community engagement. By making complex health information accessible to a broad audience, they hoped to contribute to a better-informed society.
The team views its recognition as Suriname’s winner of Viruskenner 2026 as a testament to its dedication, teamwork, and perseverance. At the same time, the students hope their experience will inspire other young people to remain curious, pursue research, and actively contribute to solving societal challenges.
The team expressed its gratitude to the Arthur Alex Hoogendoorn Atheneum, their mentors, parents, the Viruskenner organization, the Cirion Foundation, the Viroscience Lab at Erasmus MC, and all the experts who supported them throughout the project. According to the students, the guidance, encouragement, and trust they received played a crucial role in achieving this result.
With this achievement, the students have demonstrated that young people from Suriname can participate at a high level in international education and research projects, making valuable contributions to science and public health.