Curriculum Vitae

Summary

Biotechnologist with a PhD in Tissue Engineering from the MERLN Institute, working at the interface of biology and engineering. My research focuses on developing microphysiological 3D co-cultures, organoids and organ-on-a-chip systems using microfabrication, hydrogel patterning, and advanced imaging. I developed perfusable microfluidic platforms, including a modular blood–brain barrier chip and an inflammation-on-chip model for endometriosis-related pain, integrating iPSC derived cells into organized architectures. I developed a sacrificial template technology enabling high-resolution hydrogel patterning, leading to IP, funding, and industry collaborations. I enjoy collaborative research, supervising students, and working toward translational, scalable human in vitro models.

Experience

Postdoctoral Fellow, MERLN Institute — Faculty of Impact Maastricht, The Netherlands Mar 2026 – Present
  • Leading the translation of FiberCyte, a technology I developed during my PhD for fabricating complex 3D organ-on-chip models.
  • Scope spans technical development, spin-off formation, IP strategy, and grant acquisition.
  • Funded by a Faculty of Impact Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
PhD candidate, MERLN Institute Maastricht, The Netherlands Aug 2019 – Apr 2026
  • Development of 3D in vitro co-cultures using various hydrogels and biofabrication strategies.
  • Culture of iPSCs, sensory neurons, endometrial organoids, endothelial and stromal cells.
  • Development of a novel hydrogel patterning technology and in vitro models for the blood–brain barrier and endometriosis.
MSc Senior Internship, UMC+ Maastricht, The Netherlands Sept 2018 – Aug 2019
  • Thesis: Under pressure: Molecular response of primary rat Retinal Ganglion Cells to increased hydrostatic pressure as occurs in glaucoma.
MSc Junior Internship, MERLN Institute Maastricht, The Netherlands Sept 2018 – Aug 2019
  • Thesis: The effect of hMSCs shape on macrophage polarization.
Research assistant – BSc thesis, Universidad de León León, Spain Sept 2016 – Aug 2017
  • Thesis: Effects of bisphenol A (BPA) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on zebrafish spermatogenesis.
  • Molecular biology research using zebrafish for the study of the effect of BPA and EE2 as endocrine disruptors.
Voluntary internship, IDIS Institute Santiago de Compostela, Spain July 2016 – Aug 2016
  • Worked with Molecular and Cellular techniques applied to stroke: rat dissection, Western blot, flow cytometry, microscopy, spectrophotometry, and magnetic resonance imaging analysis.
Research assistant, Universidad de León León, Spain Sept 2015 – June 2016
  • Cell Biology department internship, this period laid the groundwork for my Bachelor thesis.
  • Engaged in daily lab activities after lecture hours.

Skills

Molecular & Biochemical qPCR, ELISA, Immunostaining, Western blot, Plasmid cloning
Cell & Tissue Models Organoids, iPSCs, 3D co-cultures, Hydrogels, Cell lines, Transfection, MPS cultures
Biofabrication CNC milling, Laser cutting, PDMS soft lithography, Microfluidic chips, Organ-on-chip platforms, Bioprinting, Sacrificial templating, Polymer template fabrication, Melt electrowriting, FDM printing, CAD design (Fusion 360, Shapr3D)
Microscopy Confocal, Two-photon, SHG, Fluorescence, Calcium imaging, Hydrogel imaging (Leica, Nikon, Zeiss)
Data Analysis & Computation R Studio, GraphPad, Python, Fiji scripts, NIS-Elements, Huygens 3D Deconvolution
Translation & Entrepreneurship Grant writing, technology transfer, IP strategy, spin-off development, investor pitching, stakeholder relationships, interdisciplinary collaborations

Publications — In preparation / submitted

Publications — Published

Funding, Patents & Industry

Funding

Patents

Industry Collaborations

Throughout my PhD I engaged in collaboration with organ-on-a-chip companies. These interactions helped shape the translational vision that later gave rise to my postdoctoral project.

Talks & Conferences

Invited talks

Selected conference abstracts

Teaching & Supervision

Community

Outreach

Education