I started my scientific path with a Bachelor’s in Nanobiology at Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam, trying to understand the complexity of biology using mathematics and physics. During this time, my passion for evolution grew. It’s the one process that can explain the mind-boggling diversity and complexity of all life we see around us. This lead me to start a Master’s in Evolutionary Biology at Lund University, where I learned more about the patterns we see in life, the processes that give rise to them, and how we can test our evolutionary hypotheses.
I’m mainly interested in the evolution of sociality and cooperation, and major evolutionary transitions in general. I believe that to fully address a question, both a theoretical as well as an experimental approach are needed. In the Cornwallis group, I’m doing my Master’s thesis to investigate the effect of sex on the evolution of multicellularity. I’m researching this experimentally by sexually crossing Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and examining plastic responses and responses to selection. Parallel to that, I’m looking at this from a theoretical viewpoint using modifier models and population genetics under the supervision of dr. Colin Olito.
When not working on evolution, you can find me in the kitchen, cinema, art museum, fencing hall, or out in nature.