My work experience over the last 20 years has been in three directions. Firstly, after obtaining a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering (KUL), I worked as a process and project engineer in a multinational chemical production plant. Then, triggered by an opportunity for family repatriation, I decided to pursue my interest in fundamental research and biotechnology and obtained a PhD in Bioscience Engineering (KUL) on a long-distance basis. And thirdly, as an avid long-distance runner in my spare time, I started my own business in mindful running/marathon coaching and training.Since 2020, I combine my experience in industry, research and business into the job as business developer at VUB STEP-CHEM and Valorization manager at CAPTURE.
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(Advanced) Starter SeminarsWHY?There is always room to improve on how to do things. Courses are a good way to learn from the best. Subscribing for the Starter Seminars was one of the first things I did when I started working at VUB. ASSETSThe Starter Seminars specifically attracted me for the sessions on Intellectual Property and Legal Aspects. I had hands-on experience from my job in industry, but the approach is different from an academic point of view. Being happy with the quality of the Starter Seminars, I enrolled straight on for the Advanced Starter Seminars, particularly attracted by the practical approach (testimonials, write a plan, negotiate with investors). Looking backwards, I would wait a bit longer and follow the course when I already have a concrete business case to develop. The seminars are great for networking. I could directly ask questions to experts from VUB TechTransfer (also still now), discussions with other business developers bring very interesting practical insights. And last but not least : interactions with researchers who also followed the course definitely add towards better project proposals. |
What inspires you?
I didn't like running with a pregnant belly in a chemical plant. I like trail running in the fresh air and unspoilt nature. And I don't like wasting time or working inefficiently. From those experiences #clean, #green and #lean have become my slogans, also reflected in the goal of my job at the VUB: I want to improve the (sad but true) bad reputation of the chemical industry.
Starting a business?
Before the course, I already had my own business, but I have no intention of scaling it up. The course did help me to make that decision consciously, while at the same time I still have a vision on how to keep this business going in combination with my full-time job at the VUB and CAPTURE.In my job as business developer at the VUB, starting a spin-off is definitely on the radar. There are no concrete plans yet, but I hope to be able to tick them off in the coming years. Inspiring researchers to think outside the box ('what will your research be when it's done?') and making research inventions patentable (we recently submitted a patent application) should get us there. Check us out on LinkedIn STEP-Chem.
