About me
I am a Research Scientist within the Department of Estuarine & Delta Systems of the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). My research is primarily focused on the molecular and microbial ecology of marine phototrophs. Particularly, we discovered that seagrass meadows can eliminate disease-causing bacteria from the seawater and prevent diseases in nearby coastal ecosystems, like coral reefs. This sparked my interest to further investigate health-boosting ‘ecosystem services’ that can be used as Nature-based Solutions to protect ocean and human health, and how we can restore protective ecosystem services for a sustainable use of ocean resources to ensure food security, and improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of humans. Besides, we study the impact of the built environment and plastic pollution on ocean microbial ecology. Part of this work is done in collaboration with the Healthy Oceans & People (HOPE) Lab lead by Prof. Joleah Lamb at the University of California - Irvine.
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Prior to this, I led the research program “Microbial Ecology, Ecophysiology and Ecology of Precious Corals” within the Precious Coral Biology Research Unit at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco. The aim of this program was to increase our understanding on the factors that contribute to the growth and resilience of 'precious corals' (Coralliidae), whose skeletons have been used in jewelry and art sculptures since Antiquity. Particularly, we studied how precious corals interact with their environment, focusing on traits of the host animal, its microbiome, interactions with other macro-organisms and environmental conditions; while also drawing parallels between precious corals and other coral types, such as scleractinian, gorgonian, black and soft corals, from both tropical and temperate regions.
I obtained my PhD degree from James Cook University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville, Australia. My PhD research focused on the responses of the coral holobiont (coral, Symbiodinium and bacterial community) to environmental, biological and anthropogenic stress with a particular emphasis on the coral immune system. I was trained in molecular cell biology during my Master of Science in Biomolecular Sciences (Utrecht University, The Netherlands). Here, I selected and characterised anti-cancer Nanobodies® (Utrecht University) and applied this antibody therapy technology in a pre-clinical model for brain cancer using stem cells as drug delivery vehicles (Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America). Preceding this, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Utrecht University.
I obtained my PhD degree from James Cook University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville, Australia. My PhD research focused on the responses of the coral holobiont (coral, Symbiodinium and bacterial community) to environmental, biological and anthropogenic stress with a particular emphasis on the coral immune system. I was trained in molecular cell biology during my Master of Science in Biomolecular Sciences (Utrecht University, The Netherlands). Here, I selected and characterised anti-cancer Nanobodies® (Utrecht University) and applied this antibody therapy technology in a pre-clinical model for brain cancer using stem cells as drug delivery vehicles (Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America). Preceding this, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Utrecht University.
education & Research Positions
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)
Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems (website) Research Scientist (2022 - present) Centre Scientifique de Monaco Precious Coral Biology Research Unit (website) Research Scientist / Chargé de Recherche (2020 - 2022) Centre Scientifique de Monaco Ecophysiology & Ecology Team (website) Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (2015 - 2019) Australian Institute of Marine Science Capturing Coral Reef & Related Ecosystem Services (website) Collaboration with official partners at Cornell University and Hasanuddin University Research Associate (2014 - 2015) James Cook University & Australian Institute of Marine Science ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (website) PhD Candidate (2010 - 2014) Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Molecular Neurotherapy and Imaging Laboratory (website) Pre-doctoral research fellow (2008 - 2010) Utrecht University Bachelor of Science (cum laude) - Biological Sciences (2002 - 2005) Master of Science (cum laude) - Biomolecular Sciences (Prestige Master) (2005 - 2007) |