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Programme Regional Heat

Utrecht University

February 11 and 18, 2016

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Table of Content

4 About FameLab

6 Programme

7 Moderator

7 Jury Members

9 Contestants Feb 11

18 Contestants Feb 18

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About FameLab

FameLab aims to discover charismatic, up-and-coming scientists who inspire people to

see the world from a new perspective… in just three minutes! Since its birth at the

Cheltenham Science Festival in 2005, FameLab has grown into arguably the world’s

leading science communication competition. A partnership with the British Council since

2007 has seen the competition go global with more than 5000 young scientists and

engineers participating in over 27 different countries.

Communicating science accessibly and attractively is an ever-growing priority for

researchers worldwide. FameLab helps young scientists acquire valuable skills to

communicate their work to non-scientific audiences. By doing so, researchers not only

challenge common stereotypes of scientists, but also help to justify public funding for

their research.

FameLab Netherlands 2016

FameLab Netherlands is organised by the British Council in partnership with its national

partners: KNAW, NTR and VSNU.

The regional heats in the Netherlands are organised by: University of Groningen /

Science LinX, Leiden University, Radboud University / Radboud UMC, Wageningen

University and Research Centre, Utrecht University, and University of Amsterdam in

cooperation with VU University in Amsterdam.

Heats

During six heats throughout the Netherlands, young scientists will have the opportunity

to share their passion for science. The 12 winners of the regional heats (two per heat) will

go through to the Masterclass and the National Final.

Heats @ Utrecht

This is the first year Utrecht participates in the FameLab competition. Originated within

the Graduate School of Life Sciences1, young researchers were invited to participate. In

total 24 PhD’s and postdocs will compete during two regional heats. Each heat will have

one winner who will represent Utrecht University in the National Final. To be fully

prepared the winners of the regional heats will receive extra training in the FameLab

Masterclass.

Besides FameLab, three additional events are organized on which participants are asked

to present their pitch (not obligatory!).

- April 3, 2016: Culturele Zondag ‘Science in the City’

- May 21, 2016: 100th

anniversary of the Hubrecht Institute

- May 23, 2016: Studium Generale Science Café with prof. Hans Clevers

Masterclass

The FameLab Masterclass in Media and Science Communication will be hosted by the

Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). The winners of the heats will

all take part in the two-day Masterclass on 31 March and 1 April 2016.

1 In cooperation with the Hubrecht Institute and the Freudenthal Institute.

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National Final

The National Final will be held at the Academiegebouw in Utrecht on 22 April 2016. The

12 Finalists will compete against one another to see who will be crowned winner of

FameLab Netherlands 2016!

To reserve a seat at the National Final on 22 April 2016, please send an email to:

Famelab@britishcouncil.nl

International Final

The overall winner will travel to the UK to compete in the FameLab International Final

which will be held in Cheltenham in June 2016. The International Final is co-produced by

Cheltenham Science Festivals and the British Council.

FameLab ‘rules’

The rules behind each FameLab are few, but crucial:

Each competitor has 3 minutes to present any scientific, engineering,

mathematical or medical topic of his/her choice

It is not allowed to use a PowerPoint presentation, other electronic presentation

or audio recording

Participants can only use the props that they can carry onto stage themself (there

will be no time for set up)

Contestants making it through the Heats to the National Final have to prepare a

second presentation (which can be on the same topic but must be demonstrably

different in content)

A judging panel of two judges will have up to two minutes to ask questions after each

presentation. They will determine the winners on the basis of three judging criteria:

quality of content, clarity of presentation and charisma.

Content: The content of the presentations MUST be scientifically accurate. If the

topic chosen has controversy or uncertainty around it, then the presentation must

acknowledge the opposing views. The scientific topic presented should be well

chosen to suit the audience.

Clarity: Clarity is critical for effective science communication. The structure of the

talk is important; as well as making sure the audience and judges can follow the

talk and are left with an understanding of the scientific concept chosen. The talk

should be aimed at an adult, lay audience.

Charisma: The audience and judges should be left inspired and enthused about

science. The presenter must have that hard-to-describe but unmistakable quality

of charisma. The winner will be the one who makes the science easy to listen to,

entertaining and exciting. Who is not only able to communicate the science but

who can share their passion for it.

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Programme – Regional Heat – Utrecht University

19:00h

Arrival, coffee/tea

19:30h Welcome by moderator

19:35h First round of presentations (5 min each)

20:05h Break

20:20h Second round of presentations (5 min each)

20:50h Break and Jury deliberations

21:10h Award ceremony

21:15h Drinks

22:00h End

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Moderator

Maud Radstake, PhD

Director Studium Generale

Utrecht University

Maud Radstake, PhD is fascinated by social issues regarding science,

technology, healthcare, culture and politics. She is a trained cultural

anthropologist (University of Amsterdam), and worked as a researcher and

communicator on health care, medical imaging, life sciences, public dialogue

and patient participation. As from April 2015 Maud is director of Studium

Generale at Utrecht University, where she is responsible for an

interdisciplinary programme of public meetings, lecture series, and events at

the interface of science and society.

Jury Members

Rob van Hattum

Director Science programmes VPRO

Chief Science Officer NEMO Science Center

VPRO Public broadcasting / NEMO Science Center

Van Hattum is passionate about science, however not trained as a scientist.

He sees himself as a philosopher trying to unravel and understand how the

world works. It is no wonder he is producing radio- and television

programmes about science for over 30 years. For two decades Rob has been

editor in chief and co-host for the Nationale Wetenschaps Quiz. In 2012 Rob

van Hattum was awarded NWO and KNAW’s ‘Eurekaprijs’ for all his

achievements.

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Jury Members

Maaike Ressing, PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Molecular Cell Biology

Leiden University Medical Center

Maaike Ressing studied Biomedical Sciences at Leiden University. For her

research on vaccination against human papillomavirus-induced cervical

cancer Maaike received her PhD degree in 1998. She worked as a post-

doctoral researcher first at the RIVM and later in the LUMC. In this period, she

initiated her current line of research focusing on the fascinating interactions

between viruses and the host’s immune system, in particular how the human

herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus can escape from immune elimination and

persist for life.

From 2009 until 2013, she was appointed at the UMC Utrecht. Since May

2013, she holds a position as associate professor at the department of

Molecular Cell Biology in the LUMC, where she is involved in studies on

immune regulation in viral infection, virotherapy, and autoimmunity.

Maaike received research grants from the Dutch Cancer Foundation and the

Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (Vidi and Aspasia) and has

been awarded the Beijerinck Premium for Virology (KNAW).

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Contestants February 11, 2016

19:35h Janneke Peeters

19:40h Marta Reyman

19:45h Fabian Kruse

19:50h Julia Boonzaier

19:55h Manoe Janssen

20:00h Joep de Ligt

20:05h Break

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Contestants February 11, 2016

Janneke Peeters, MSc.

Molecular mechanisms underlying T cell

homeostasis in autoimmune disease

UMC Utrecht

My name is Janneke Peeters and I am 27 years old. I was born in Lelystad were I

went to primary school and high school. In 2007 I moved to Utrecht to study

Biomedical Sciences at the Utrecht University. After finishing my Bachelor study I

started with the master Biology of Disease in 2010. During this Master study I

did a 9-month internship at the Department of Medical Microbiology at the

UMC Utrecht. Furthermore, I did an 8-month internship at the Whitehead

Institute in Cambridge (USA).

After finishing my Master’s I decided that I wanted to start a PhD track.

Therefore I participated in a competition to obtain a grant for a self-written

research proposal. My research proposal was awarded with a grant and

therefore, in 2013, I could start my PhD in the lab of Prof. Paul Coffer and Dr.

Jorg van Loosdregt. During my PhD I am studying the molecular mechanisms

underlying T cell homeostasis in autoimmune diseases.

Marta Reyman, MD

Antibiotic resistance

Utrecht University

Spaarneziekenhuis, Hoofddorp

I am a medical doctor currently obtaining my PhD in paediatric immunology and

infectious diseases. My research interests include antibiotic resistance and the

effect of antibiotics on the gut bacterial flora in new-borns. In my previous job at

the Utrecht University I helped develop the new Medicine curriculum and

worked for the EU subsidized project WATCHME which focuses on improving

the giving of feedback on the work floor using learning analytics. I have a year's

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experience working on the paediatric ward of a peripheral hospital and hope to

become a paediatrician. Throughout my career, clear communication with

colleagues, patients and students has been invaluable. In my free time I enjoy

hip-hop dancing and snowboarding.

Fabian Kruse, MSc.

Unraveling the mechanisms in heart regeneration

after injury in fish

Hubrecht Institute

Born and raised in Germany, I decided to pursue my MSc studies in the

Netherlands after studying Biology in Cologne. After completing my MSc in

“cancer genomics and developmental biology” in Utrecht I decided to stay in

academia and pursue a PhD in the group of prof. Jeroen Bakkers.

Julia Boonzaier, MSc.

Non-invasive brain stimulation to improve stroke

recovery

UMC Utrecht

I am from South Africa and I moved to Europe about 3.5 years ago. I did a

Neuroscience masters at the University of Antwerpen. After my masters I found a

PhD project at UMC Utrecht which focusses om stroke recovery and non-

invasive brain stimulation.

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Contestants February 11, 2016

Manoe Janssen, PhD

Gene repair

Utrecht University

I like research and teaching and studied Molecular Life Sciences (bachelor) and

Molecular Mechanism of Disease (Master). During my PhD I investigated the

molecular mechanisms underlying polycystic liver disease in Nijmegen. I spend

time abroad during my masters (Cambridge) and after my PhD (Leuven). Now I

am working on new treatments for a rare genetic disease called Cystinosis, at

the division of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University.

Joep de Ligt, PhD

The detection of de novo mutations in Intellectual

Disability and their relevance in diagnostics

UMC Utrecht

During my PhD I pioneered trio-based sequence analysis, now a standard in

many genomics studies, to detect de novo mutations and diagnose Mendelian

disorders. The landmark paper was published in Nature Genetics and the

subsequent clinical implementation in the prestigious NEJM, each receiving over

300 citations. I also joined the “Genome of the Netherlands” (GoNL) analysis

team, with a focus on structural variation detection. For my work on the

detection of CNVs from exome-sequencing data I established collaborations

with the Baylor College of Medicine and received a young investigator award for

best translational science from the ESHG.

As a PostDoc at the Hubrecht Institute and the UMC Utrecht I’m studying

large/structural variation, specifically in adult stem cells. This work lead to

independent and collaborative studies published in esteemed journals; Nature

Biotechnology and Cell. Within the CancerGenomiCs consortium I work in close

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collaboration with the groups of Albert Heck on proteomics and Lodewyk

Wessels on drug response data to elucidate drug resistance mechanisms in

colorectal cancer.

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Contestants February 11, 2016

20:20h Mohadeseh Haji Abdolvahab

20:25h Jennifer Jongen

20:30h Paul Ormel

20.35h Judith de Haan

20:40h Daniel Fonseca

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Contestants February 11, 2016

Mohadeseh Haji Abdolvahab, MSc.

Immunogenicity of interferon beta corresponds to

its epitopes and its aggregate contents

Utrecht University

I am Mohadeseh Haji Abdolvahab who did her master study in the field of

Microbiology at Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran. After obtaining my master

degree, because I was an honours student, I was awarded a scholarship to

continue my study in abroad. I have chosen Utrecht University as it was one of

the best universities in my desired area (pharmaceutical sciences) in the world. I

came to the Netherlands and started my PhD in 2012 in the field of

pharmaceutical biotechnology. My research is on therapeutic interferon beta

and the reasons of its high immunogenicity to solve the problem and produce

de-immunized interferon beta.

Jennifer Jongen, MSc.

I am running low on oxygen; is that a bad thing!?

UMC Utrecht

Both my love for science as well as my love for medicine arose at Wageningen

University where I finished my master in both Metabolism & Nutrigenomics and

Cell biology & Immunology. I continued at Utrecht University where I studied

Selective Utrecht Medical MAster (SUMMA). Although I started this journey

wanting to become an immunologist, cancer research crossed my path. From

that point on, cancer research started to run like a common thread through my

career. Like SUMMA aims, I want to form the bridge between bench and bedside

as a clinical researcher. My research internship at Columbia University (NY) into

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pancreatic cancer made me realize that I specifically want to become a

oncologic surgeon, over a contemplative clinician. The strength of being both

clinician and researcher is in my opinion signalling problems in the clinic,

translating that into scientific research and back, resulting in translational

research. With my thesis, I want to form a sound fundamental base for

translational and clinical research during my profession as an oncologic surgeon.

This ambition resulted in a by Dutch Cancer Society granted project of 3 years

into the way in which surgery influences liver metastasis formation and tumour-

recurrence in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Paul Ormel, MSc.

Obstacles in research into psychiatric disease and

the use of recent insights into cell development and

innovative methods in cell biology to tackle these

problems

UMC Utrecht

Due to my fascination for the brain I studied psychobiology at the University of

Amsterdam. In my final year I went on exchange to Singapore where I applied

for several immunology courses, and I finished my bachelors with an internship

at the Alzheimer research center at the VUmc. I wanted to broaden my

knowledge of the human body, so I applied for the master Biomedical Sciences

in Leiden, but still with a focus on neuroscience. During research internships I

developed mutations in the Epstein-Barr virus in Heidelberg at the German

Cancer Research Center, investigated Cushing’s disease in a mouse model at the

LUMC and set-up an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model by initiating AD in primates

at the biomedical primate center in Rijswijk. During my first year of the master

program I competed and reached the finals of the Philips Innovation Award

together with three fellow students. We defended the business plan Skinprint for

3D bioprinting skin for burn wound victims. After graduating cum laude I started

with my PhD project at the UMC Utrecht. During four years I will try to decipher

synaptic (hyper)pruning, an underlying mechanism of Schizophrenia.

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Contestants February 11, 2016

Judith de Haan, MSc.

Inflammation and scarring in the injured heart

UMC Utrecht

I studied both my bachelor and master biomedical sciences at Utrecht

University. During my masters I went abroad to New York City to do an

internship at the Albert Einstein Institute of Medicine. After I finished my master

thesis at the laboratory of Hans Clevers I started my PhD at the Experimental

Cardiology department in the UMC Utrecht. In the past year I've been working

on different projects, all touching the topic inflammation and scar formation in

different cardiac diseases. During the last few years I've been able to attend

numerous excellent international conferences and published in acknowledged

international journals.

Daniel Fonseca, MSc.

Life's vital origami

Utrecht University

My name is Daniel, I was born in Lisbon close to the sea. There I did my

academic education in in biochemistry before joining Utrecht University as a

PhD student. I was raised in a blue collared family, my parents didn’t know the

laws of Newton but they could tell the name of every tree of the region by just

looking at their leaves. My interest for science developed between occasional

encounters in the local library with the works of Feynman and Carl Sagan,

fuelled by the David Attenborough wild life documentaries. Even though I am

more grown up today the elegance of nature still fascinates me as it did the day

I understood the ties in the ocean.

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Contestants February 18, 2016

19:35h Gydo van Zundert

19:40h Mandana Arbab

19:45h Bart Driesen

19:50h Erinke van Grinsven

19:55h Carlo van Overbeek

20:00h Break

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Contestants February 18, 2016

Gydo van Zundert, PhD

Structural biology and the use of multiple data

sources to elucidate the atomic structure of

biologically relevant molecular machines

Utrecht University

I was born in Oud Gastel, 1987. After the VWO, I studied Chemistry at Utrecht

University, with an additional master in Nanomaterials. In 2011 I started my PhD

in the Computational Structural Biology group of Alexandre Bonvin, where I

worked on the integration of cryo-electron microscopy data in our in-house

macromolecular docking program HADDOCK. I graduated recently in November

2015.

Mandana Arbab, MSc.

The advent of highly specific gene editing

technologies, and using in vivo gene editing

approaches in patients to cure fatal neuromuscular

degeneration disorders

Hubrecht Institute

I'm a 5th year PhD student working at the Hubrecht Institute for developmental

biology, soon to defend my thesis in May of 2016. During my PhD I've focused

on using embryonic, and embryonic-like patient cells that I generated in the lab

to study fatal neuromuscular degeneration disorders, including ALS and spinal

muscular atrophy (SMA) disorders in infants. This allowed us to identify a yet

unknown key regulator of motor neuron disease, capable of preventing

neuromuscular degeneration.

I've spent the last ~18 months of my PhD working at Harvard Medical School in

Boston, MA where I helped to develop a novel approach to using CRISPR/Cas9

gene editing technology, for which I hold a patent. While there, I set up a project

to utilize CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to treat and cure SMA in newborn mice,

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which has never been done before. I previously received my BSc and MSc

degrees from the University of Amsterdam, during which time I did internships

at the Hubrecht Institute, the Dutch Cancer Institute (NKI), and Harvard Medical

School. I was born in LA, California and was raised in the Netherlands, and am

fluent in three languages. I am currently living in Amsterdam as I complete my

dissertation.

Bart Driesen, MD

Right ventricle fibrosis in adult patients with

congenital heart disease with pulmonary valve

stenosis and/or regurgitation

UMC Utrecht

I'm a cardiologist in training, now doing research in the field of congenital

cardiology. I'm especially interested in the effect of pulmonary valve problems

on the right cardiac chamber. With the research we are doing we hope to aid in

better treatment for adults with congenital heart disease.

Erinke van Grinsven, MSc.

Neutrophilic granulocytes are the most abundant

white blood cells, and are very important for killing

bacteria. Why do different types circulate in our

body at the same time? And how can we target the

correct cell to provide therapeutic benefit?

UMC Utrecht

Originally from Eindhoven, I studied Biomedical Sciences at Utrecht University,

with a Master in Infection & Immunity. During my studies I coached high school

students in science subjects, a job I really liked. Currently I'm a second-year PhD

in the Laboratory for Translational Immunology in the UMC Utrecht, under

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supervision of Nienke Vrisekoop. I want to stay in fundamental research, but

teaching remains one of my interests which I'd like to do on the side. I live in

Utrecht, and I'm also searching here for a place to live together with my

boyfriend. Some hobbies are field hockey, cooking/baking, and I like to go to

concerts.

Carlo van Overbeek, MSc.

Formation of nanocrystal superlattices that can

enhance computer and solar cell performance

Utrecht University

I was born in Overvecht (Utrecht) and completed both elementary and high

school (gymnasium) there. I did my bachelor's in chemistry at the Utrecht

University. In that period, I paused my studies for one year to become the

chairman of the study association for chemistry students in Utrecht (U.S.S.

Proton). For my master's studies I followed the programme Nanomaterials:

Chemistry & Physics, also at the Utrecht University. Now I am working as a PhD

student at the Condensed Matter & Interfaces group, again at the Utrecht

University, under professor Daniel Vanmaekelbergh.

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Contestants February 18, 2016

20:20h Stephanie van Straaten

20:25h Wilma Hoevenaar

20:30h Anil Kumar Deshantri

20.35h Dieudonnée van de Willige

20.40h Marjolein Mijnders

20:45h Jacopo Margutti

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Contestants February 18, 2016

Stephanie van Straaten, MD

New approach to pathophysiology of sickle cell

disease and developing a new treatment

UMC Utrecht

After graduating cum laude from the Merletcollege in Cuijk, Stephanie van

Straaten studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam. She graduated cum

laude in 2012 and worked as an MD for two years before starting her PhD-

project in 2015.

Wilma Hoevenaar, MSc.

Contribution of various levels of errors in

chromosome division to tumour development and

progression. Target for cancer therapy?

Hubrecht Institute

My name is Wilma Hoevenaar and I'm a third-year PhD student in the lab of

Geert Kops in the Hubrecht Institute in Utrecht. Although my education is mostly

in neuroscience, I now like to work on cell division errors in cancer and my

interest in biology is very broad in general. When I'm not in the lab I like to do

sports, reading and travelling.

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Contestants February 18, 2016

Anil Kumar Deshantri, MSc.

Development of Nanomedicines to target blood

cancers

UMC Utrecht

I did my MSc in microbiology from University of Rajasthan, India. I have been

working as a pharmacologist for more than seven years. Here, in UMC Utrecht, I

am working as a PhD student. My research is focused on development novel

drug careers to target haematological malignancies.

Dieudonnée van de Willige, MSc.

Transport tales: the regulation of molecular motor

proteins in brain cells

Utrecht University

I have always had the luxury issue of being interested in almost everything at the

same time. After much deliberation, I decided to pursue Chemistry

undergraduate studies (cum laude) and became interested in the question 'how

can lifeless molecules trapped in a bag - a cell - cooperate to cross the barrier

between what Biology considers to be dead and living?'. After obtaining a

Master's degree in Molecular & Cellular Life Sciences, also cum laude, I'm now a

PhD student at Utrecht University. I try to tackle this question by studying the

behaviour and contribution of individual molecules, or proteins, in what may be

the most complex cells in nature: brain cells. For the past four years, I've been

satisfying my thirst for all other topics by working as a freelance columnist, for

example by writing about the city of Utrecht for the Dutch newspaper 'De

Telegraaf' on a weekly basis. Hobby-wise, I take an interest in design and

crafting, and I love any opportunity where science, writing and design come

together.

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Contestants February 18, 2016

Marjolein Mijnders, MSc.

The folding of the cystic fibrosis causing protein

CFTR. Cystic fibrosis is the most occurring lethal

genetic disease in Caucasian population and it is

caused by misfolding of CFTR.

Utrecht University

I am Marjolein Mijnders, 25 years old and living and working in Utrecht. I did the

Chemistry bachelor and master Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences also in

Utrecht. I like to work on answering interesting (fundamental) science questions.

I also like to dance Salsa and Zouk and meet with friends.

Jacopo Margutti, MSc.

Properties of the hottest and densest matter on

earth, namely the quark gluon plasma

Utrecht University

NIKHEF

I was born in Italy, in a small village close to the lake of Como, north of Milan. I

took classical studies at high school (ancient Greek, Latin and philosophy,

mostly), which radically shaped me, and then moved to study Physics in Milan.

After my Bachelor, I did my master between Paris (Ecole Polytechnique) and

Munich (TU Muenchen). There, I met my current supervisor, Raimond Snellings

from Utrecht University, which offered me the opportunity to continue my work

in the fascinating field of the quark gluon plasma.

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