Sie verwenden einen veralteten Browser, welcher von dieser Website nicht unterstützt wird.
Mit dem Benutzen der Webseite erklären Sie sich der Nutzung von Cookies einverstanden. Weitere Pflichtangaben finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklärung. Akzeptieren
Project: Impact of microbiome-host cross-talk on decline and preservation of cognition during aging
Nationality: Dutch
Supervisor / Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ines Thiele / Prof. Dr. Christoph Kaleta
Host Organisation: National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), Ireland
After graduating from high school, I studied biotechnology at Wageningen University and Research. During my bachelor I came into contact with different subjects, ranging from molecular biology to bioreactor design. In my bachelor thesis I focused more on metabolic engineering of bacteria and got familiar with different analytical and genome editing techniques. After graduating in 2018, I continued with the master biotechnology. I specialized in both process technology and medical biotechnology, which led to two master theses. I did my master thesis for process technology at the Systems and Synthetic Biology group at Wageningen. Here I used genome-scale metabolic modelling to find strategies to increase medium-chain fatty acid production in Clostridium kluyveri. I worked at the Bioprocess Engineering group in Wageningen for my master thesis in medical biotechnology. I investigated oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer from and to microbubbles in animal cell bioreactors through mathematical models. For my master degree I also had to do an internship, which I did at MaCSBio at Maastricht University. There I combined my interest in metabolism and medical applications. During the internship, I used different model extraction methods on a genome-scale metabolic model of the human heart to try and identify changes in metabolism between healthy hearts and hearts afflicted with dilated cardiomyopathy. Besides my studies, I was also active as a volunteer at the Dutch foundation: Oud Geleerd Jong Gedaan, where I gave lectures about my study to elderly citizens.
What is your project/research about? What would you like to find out?
The project is aimed at using advanced computational and statistical analysis approaches to identify metabolic pathways involved in ageing. Therefore, metabolomic and metagenomic data will be computationally and statistically analysed in the context of large-scale computational models of host-microbiome co-metabolism.
Why did you apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN and especially this project?
The collaborative aspect of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN appealed to me. The chance to work with and be part of a large network of both academics and industry spanning different disciplines is exciting. I also think that these networks are important for personal growth and for research in general. I applied specifically for this project because it perfectly fits my interest in metabolic modelling with a medical application.
What is so fascinating for you on research in general?
The ability to answer questions. I enjoy generating and analyzing data and trying to find explanations for data trends or outcomes. The fun thing of research is also that the answers of questions can lead to a new set of equations in an ongoing process of research and innovation.
What do you do in your free time? Do you have special interests/hobbies?
At the end of the week I like to do activities with friends such as playing games, having a drink, have a walk around to unwind. You can also find me, more times than not, absorbed in a good book. Next to that I enjoy taking care of plants and listening to rock/metal music.
What are your plans for your future? Where/what you will be in 5 years?
My aim is to become an independent researcher. I would like to continue in the academic field using metabolic modelling in combination with a medical aspect to improve human health. That would also mean for me to be active in teaching and transferring knowledge to a new generation of researchers.
