Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands
On a personal and professional level I have a passion for sustainability, chemistry and plastics. I have an academic background in biobased polymer chemistry, with a focus on high-performance biobased polyesters & sustainability in plastics. I am an enthusiastic team-player, problem-solver with an analytical mindset, and I have clear communication skills. With my expertise and passion I aim to help realize the needed transformations towards sustainable solutions, products and processes for our society and our environment. My research interests are understanding and developing biobased/renewable chemicals, plastics and applications. I am always open for collaborations, to share ideas, and to engage new projects. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me!
As senior project manager I lead a €3mill, 2.5 yr Dutch subsidy project (Cheeta) which I co-authored. Within this project we're developing the next generation of Plantics Bioresin & further optimize technology & processing conditions with a focus on wood panels.
Within Plantics I have a dual role within the R&D department connecting the chemical development with the various research- & business-development projects. Within this role I work as senior chemist with responsibilities in resin development from lab to full-scale production. My management activities range from managing and coordinating research questions and know-how, laboratories and analytical expertise, and hiring and staffing policies. My management style is focused on personal connection and growth, with fun and trust. My contributions can be found back in propelling research and product development forward, personal development of colleagues, subsidy and grant applications, and various IP applications.
As project leader of a €3mill, 4 year EU subsidized R&D project (PlanticsInside) I was responsible for the planning, technical development and reporting (2020-2022). The project led to the successful development of a demonstration plant for the production of biodegradable plant pots, which are still produced to date. Following that, I led a €2mill, 3 year Dutch subsidy project (CircuZ) regarding the resourcing of raw materials, ensuring future large scale resin production, and setting up recycling strategies for Plantics’ products (2023-2025).
Postdoctoral researcher at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM). Research is part of the Interreg BB100 project, with a focus on synthesizing circular/renewable additives for 100% biobased performance fibers.
PhD candidate at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), under supervision of prof. Dr. S. Rastogi and Dr. CHRM Wilsens. "Renewable cyclic monomers: From polymer synthesis to physical properties" PhD-project is a part of Chemelot InSciTe - HORIZONTAL My research focuses on 2 main topics: A) Designing a small-scale screening method to assess new renewable building blocks in polyesters, with a focus on cyclo-aliphatic diols. B) Designing the first high-performance polyesters based on bis-pyrrolidones, which are readily obtained from itaconic acid. Additional tasks: Lab-chief, training and maintenance of various lab apparatus, teaching practical courses, supervising of graduate-students.
PhD candidate biobased polymer materials at the Laboratory for Polymer Materials (SPM) at the Technical University of Eindhoven. "High-performance stereocomplex of poly(lactide)." PhD project was part of Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI), section BioInspired Polymers Topics; Biobased polymer materials, catalyst synthesis and screening, stereoselective ring-opening polymerizations, stereocomplex formation, co-polymerizations, polymer properties. Additional tasks; Lab-chief, ordering chemicals and non-chemicals, storage maintenance, supervising students, teaching (guidance of self-study, practical courses).
MSc internship at the Supramolecular Polymerchemistry group of Prof. Rint Sijbesma. "Design and synthesis of Cyanine-based probe molecules to investigate bisurea based bolaamphiphiles." Topics; Organic chemistry & synthesis, microwave synthesis, supramolecular polymers, STORM microscopy.
MSc thesis at the laboratory for Organic Chemistry group of Prof. Han Zuilhof. "Synthesis of BCN-modified carbohydrates for surface modification via SPAAC reactions. A novel immobilisation method for the detection of PNA, CT and GBS-antibodies." Topics; Organic chemistry & synthesis, carbohydrate chemistry, click-chemistry, strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC), immobilisation of carbohydrates.