What sparked your passion for science?
As a kid I was fascinated by animals. I watched every documentary about lions, whales, snakes… I never got tired of them. When the time came to choose which direction I wanted to take my studies and career, I decided to study biology. I remember my first lesson at university very clearly. The teacher was talking about cells, DNA and proteins, and I fell in love immediately. It was then that I decided that cellular and molecular biology was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Can you tell us about your role at ProQR?
I am an Associate Researcher at ProQR, and I have been with the company since October 2023. In my role, I optimize protocols for a variety of cell lines, perform biochemical and molecular assays, and when new ProQRians join the team, I support their onboarding by offering practical training.
What do you enjoy most about working at ProQR?
What I enjoy most about working at ProQR is the feeling of constant learning. Working here has given me the opportunity to further develop my skills, and when I compare my experience and knowledge today to when I first started, I see a tremendous improvement in my abilities as a scientist – something I feel very proud of. I also feel that ProQR is a very healthy environment to work, where everyone is very eager to socialize. There is a nice mix of people from different backgrounds, ages and nationalities all working towards a common goal.
Are there any upcoming company milestones that you are particularly excited about?
I am always curious to see which new disease targets for Axiomer RNA editing are discovered, because each new target provides a learning opportunity. Moreover, I am very interested to see how our therapies perform in clinical trials. I am very hopeful that in the future our RNA editing technologies will make the lives of patients and their families better.
How do you enjoy spending time outside of work?
During the week I usually spend my afternoons at the gym to keep myself active and healthy. I am also learning Dutch at the moment which I am really enjoying. Besides that, I like to socialize, meet new people and discover new places in The Netherlands.
Can you tell us about your role in the DEI team?
In my role as DEI team member, I help to organise events like the Leiden Pride Boat Parade or the celebration of International Women’s Day. Our DEI team helps foster an inclusive environment in which we promote a wide range of events and activities to make our company an even more welcoming place to work. At DEI events, we have very interesting and engaging conversations about current social topics. It is a great way to grow as a person and I am very proud to be a part of it.