I started my academic career with studying Molecular Science (Chemistry) at the Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen, Germany. While this field of study provided me with essential skills of scientific thinking and working, it soon emerged that I had a more profound interest in human life – its origin, manifoldness, and its limitations. I decided to change my major to Molecular Medicine, a small grouped bachelor and consecutive master program fruitfully framing my ambitions. During my studies, I was engaged in research projects of various disciplines, from myology over developmental biology to heart physiology, finally leading to haematology. I also took the opportunity to pursue an Erasmus research internship at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik, an amazing experience that eventually shaped my intent to earn my PhD abroad.

CAR and TCR transduced T-cells are a wonderful example of how modern branches of biology can integrate into something powerful. They combine immunology, synthetic biology and genetic engineering with a humanitarian purpose: to abate suffering. I am happy and proud that I now got the opportunity to contribute to this relatively young field as a PhD student in Leiden within the EN-ACTI2NG consortium.

Next to research, I have a passion for music. I play multiple instruments and I have been a member of many different choirs.