Having grown up between the Netherlands, Germany, the US, and a Japanese-Brazilian-German household, I’ve learned to navigate the world with curiosity, adaptability—and a deep appreciation for complexity. I started out in academia chasing protein misfolding and infectious diseases, before making the leap into biotech. Along the way, I’ve worked on breast cancer diagnostics and now serve as Chief Research Officer at Leyden Labs. I’m driven by a love for science, a hands-on mindset, and the belief that progress often comes from embracing uncertainty. And when things don’t go to plan? There’s always the next experiment—and usually a good story to go with it.