Mission
My praxis as a biodesigner is deeply rooted in the belief that biology can empower design, and design can, in turn, empower biology. For me, biodesign is about more than developing alternative materials; it’s about reimagining our connection to the environment and understanding that our built spaces can interact with and respond to natural ecosystems. My work seeks to make these connections tangible, enabling architecture that respects ecological diversity and cultural wisdom. I strive to bring forth a vision where the boundaries between nature and construction blur, creating a future where buildings and materials enhance our shared environment rather than merely occupying space. Through this lens, my goal is to inspire a shift in sustainable development—making it a space where biology and design work symbiotically, opening doors to more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant communities.
Vision
My goal is to revolutionise the way sustainable development is perceived and pursued in society. Recognising that the portrayal of sustainability as a utopian fantasy neglects the inherent complexities and diversities of any society, I aim to challenge this idealistic narrative through my work.
Our societies will never look like a scene from the movie “Her”. Such homogeneity and sterility is undesired, as it deprives communities of their dynamic nature, of their creativity. I seek to bring attention to the realities of our world while fostering understanding and unity.
Through my projects, I envision creating accessible and inclusive platforms for public education, empowering individuals with knowledge and inspiring collective action towards environmental issues.
By acknowledging society’s imperfections and embracing our shared responsibility, my vision is to catalyse meaningful change that embraces the complexities of our world and leads us towards a truly sustainable and inclusive future.
Background
PROFILE
Over the 3 years of academic career, I strived to become a well-rounded engineer by equally developing technical and leadership skills. I used my insight as a biological engineer to solve problems on global and local scales. I led interdisciplinary teams of 5-15 people and directed a clear vision for project development in an international competition.
Throughout these projects, I expanded on academic knowledge by putting it into practice: setting up experiments to meet scientific standards; stakeholder-guided design of a biotechnological product; optimization of process conditions using hardware and software; constructing plasmids from scratch to achieve desired functionality in a chassis.
INTERESTS
In my spare time, I read about art and design in all their forms, as well as psychology. I have a deep interest in communication and the way it manifests into our culture, our connections, and our behaviour. My greatest source of excitement is travelling and exploring new cultures, while keeping a healthy spine through my yoga practice.
EDUCATION
2023-2025
Interdisciplinary Approaches in Research and Education, MSc, Life Sciences Track
Learning Planet Institute (Paris, France)
2019-2022
Life Science & Technology, BSc
Joint Degree TU Delft x Leiden University (Netherlands)
Minor in Materials Engineering
Purdue University (IN, USA)
WORK
September 2024 – March 2025
Fungateria – VUB
Research Intern
March 2024 – July 2024
Living Construction HBBE
Research Intern
February 2022 – October 2022
iGEM Leiden
Project Manager
2018-2023
TERTIUS COLLECTION
Web Development and Graphic Design Specialist