Alumni
PhD Candidates
Marco Schaafsma
February 2022–March 2023
Marco joined our research group to work on a with University Eye Clinic Maastricht. His research focused on investigating the clinical potential of transplanting conjunctival organoids as a replacement therapy for ocular surface diseases.
Marco is currently a quality control associate at Neuroplast.
Pere Català Quilis
October 2018–December 2022
Pere joined our research group for a collaborative project between the MERLN Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology at the MUMC+, aimed at creating a stem cell-based regenerative therapy for treating corneal disease. He investigated the possibility of rapidly and reproducibly generating corneal cells from pluripotent stem cells that could be used for regenerative medicine. His work aimed to address the global shortage of donor corneas by providing patient-specific solutions.
After completing his PhD, Pere is now working as a postdoctoral researcher at UMC Utrecht by leveraging his expertise in regenerative medicine and stem cell technology.
Anika Schumacher
September 2017–August 2022
Anika joined our research group to explore the exciting field of 3D cell culture, with a focus on improving the maturation of iPSC-derived kidney organoids for use as a graft in patients with end-stage renal disease. Through her work, she uses advanced imaging techniques to investigate the micro- and nanostructure of these complex organoids, aiming to enhance their functionality and viability.
Today, Anika is a staff member at MUMC+ Maastricht.
Fredrik Wieland
January 2017–October 2021
Fredrik joined our research group as a PhD student to investigate the self-assembly of islets and the role of α and β cells in the incorporation of endothelial cells. He was committed to introducing single cell techniques into regenerative medicine to study the spatial distribution of cells and how their organization impacts their function.
After completing his PhD, Fredrik pursued a career at Yokogawa as an application specialist.
November 2016–March 2021
Fiona joined our research group to delve into the fascinating role of cadherins, a family of cell-cell adhesion molecules, in the behaviour of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells during her PhD. By studying the molecular machinery of cells, she aimed to uncover how the lessons learned from cadherin biology can help scientists better understand the driving force behind tissue formation and important cell behaviour.
Today, Fiona is a member of our team, serving as a project leader.
Jasmin Dehnen
October 2018–December 2022
Jasmin joined our research group to work on a collaborative project with University Eye Clinic Maastricht and Radboud UMC. Her research efforts were on investigating the genetic and molecular factors that contribute to Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), with a particular emphasis on the intronic CTG trinucleotide repeat expansion within the TCF4 gene.
Jasmin is currently pursuing a PhD at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Germany.
Postdocs
Darragh Crosbie
June 2021–July 2022
Darragh joined, working on the VISION project. The focus of his research was the in vivo tracking of corneal epithelial stem cells after transplantation, using nanoparticles.
Mireillie Stijn
June 2017–August 2020
After completing her PhD in the field of redox biology, she joined our group to work on a project aimed at improving the success and sustainability of transplant treatments for patients with severe type I diabetes.
Today, Mireille is an Assistant Professor at Maastricht University.
Omar Paulino da Silva Filho
February 2020–November 2021
Omar is currently working as a Project Manager at Basic Pharma where he is overseeing the development of new drugs or medical devices, ensuring they meet regulatory and quality standards.
Floor Ruiter
August 2018–October 2021
Floor is currently working as a Scientific Information Specialist for the Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences and MUMC+ at Maastricht University where she teaches, develops and integrates information literacy education in the faculties courses.
Timo Rademakers
February 2017–December 2020
Currently, Timo is a senior scientist & lab manager at the MERLN institute. He specializes in (automated) microscopic imaging and image analysis.
Thomas Geuens
September 2017–September 2020
Thomas joined our research group as a post-doctoral researcher, working on the Kidney Moonshot of RegMed XB. His focus was on developing the first subunit of a bioengineered kidney, which would provide a groundbreaking treatment option for patients with chronic kidney failure. Thomas played a key role in establishing the iPSC culture techniques and kidney organoid generation protocols.
Currently, he serves as the Head of Research and Development at SimAbs.
Students
Simon König
Simon is a former bachelors student who worked with Fiona on research related to her project. He is currently a PhD candidate at University College London
Kwasi Amofa
Kwasi was a Fulbright and Whitaker scholar and worked with Mor on research related to his project. He is currently a PhD candidate at UC Berkeley College of Engineering
Justyna Piotrowska
Justyna is a former bachelors student who worked with Fiona on research related to her project. She is currently a masters student at Eindhoven University of Technology.
Joaquin Montilla Rojo
Joaquin is a former masters student worked with Anika on research related to her project. He is currently a PhD candidate at Utrecht University.
Jolien Oosterveer
Jolien is a former bachelors student who worked with Mireille for her masters thesis. She is currently works for Dedalus.
Lucia Simons
Lucia is a former bachelors student who worked with Timo for her bachelor thesis. She is currently a project officer at ABR Zorgnetwerken.
Aisling Fairweather
Asling is a former bachelors student who worked with Thomas on her Bachelors thesis. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh.
Fiona Roll
Fiona is a former Masters student who worked with Mireille on research related to her project. She is currently a PhD candidate at Uniklinikum Aachen.
Flora Vivensang
Flora is a former bachelors student who worked with Pere on her Bachelors thesis.
Roćio Reca
Roćio is a former masters student worked with Anika for her masters thesis. She is currently working at Lonza.
Annika Jeschke
Annika is a former bachelors student who worked with Arianne for her bachelor thesis. She is currently a Masters student at Heidelberg university.
Madeleine Divinagracia
Madeleine is a former bachelors student who worked with Fiona on both her Honours research and her bachelors thesis. She is currently a Masters student at the University of Groningen.
Jeroen Jansen
Jeroen is a former bachelors student who worked with Paula on his bachelors thesis. He is currently a Masters student at the University of Groningen.
Miłosz Majewski
Milosz is a former Bachelor student who worked with Fiona on research related to her project. He is currently an intern at NYU Langone Health
Valenney Thielman
Valenney is a former Masters student who worked with Virginie on her Masters thesis. She is currently a junior clinical research associate at Heads