Team:Leiden/Team

iGEM Leiden | 2019

S.P.L.A.S.H.

Suckerin Polymer Layer to Achieve Sustainable Health

Experiments Notebook Safety

Team Attributions Collaborations

Human Practices Entrepreneurship Newsletter Education &
Public Engagement Sponsors

Description Demonstrate Model Parts Results

Human Practices Entrepreneurship Newsletter Education & Public Engagement Sponsors

Team Attributions Collaborations

Experiments Notebook Safety

Team

Our international team consists of eleven highly-motivated students from various disciplines. With our combined knowledge, we have created an exciting project, of which we are extremely proud. Our team has been under the supervision of two principal investigators and seven advisors. Click on our pictures below to learn more about us!

The Team

Alejandro Marquiegui

Lab safety manager

Alejandro Marquiegui is studying Biochemistry at Imperial College London. Currently, he is doing a Year in Research Abroad at the University of Leiden. In the past, he has been part of the synthetic biology, neuroscience, and psychedelic societies. In our team, Alejandro has been in charge of the lab and safety.

Daan van Tol

Secretary

Daan van Tol is in his third year of the bachelor Biology, during which he alternates between courses focused on the molecular field and ecology and biodiversity. In addition to his studies, Daan attends courses of the Beta and Life Science track of Honours college. Within the iGEM team, Daan kept minutes during the meetings.

“Nature gave us two eyes, two ears and one mouth so that we could observe and listen twice as much as we speak” -- Epictetus

Daniël Tan

Treasurer

Daniël Tan is a third-year Biology student with a focus on microbiology. Besides his studies, he follows extracurricular courses of Honours College, such as Negotiation and Conflict Management, Data Science, Research and Researchers, and Personal Effectivity and Scientific Challenges for 2050. In our team, Daniël kept track of our money flow as treasurer.

"A treasure of a treasurer!" -- Tobi

Floor Stel

Human practices manager

Floor Stel attended the Maastricht Science Programme during her bachelor and is now doing her master’s in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology. During her internship, Floor was focused on finding new host-directed ways to fight fungal infections. As our Human Practices manager, she brought our project closer to society.

Jo-Anne Verschoor

Science manager

Jo-Anne Verschoor chose to specialize in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology after finishing her bachelor in Biology. During her internship, she developed a plasmid/vector selection system for Streptomyces and E. coli free from antibiotics and their resistance markers. Jo-Anne also participates in the master Honours course Circular Economy. With her main focus on biology for so many years, Jo-Anne led the project in the right direction as our Science manager.

Jonah Anderson

Programming manager

Jonah Anderson is in his third year of the bachelor Life Science & Technology. As an elective, he chose the minor Data Science, during which he dealt with programming methods, natural computing, data mining, and artificial intelligence. With his skills, he has made the most beautiful wiki iGEM has ever seen.

"Jonah is a nocturnal website producing machine working solely on coffee." -- Maarten

Maarten Lubbers

Public relations manager

Maarten Lubbers is our biology expert. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Biology and in his spare time, he focuses on zoology. Due to his interests and connections at various natural history museums, he organized a lot of interesting and fun events.

"Maarten is about as close to a real-life Pokémon trainer as you can realistically get." -- Jonah

Melanie Ofman

Wiki manager

Melanie Ofman has a bachelor's degree in biopharmaceutical sciences and is now doing her master’s in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology to tackle a broader field of microbiology. Melanie studied the effect of mammalian hormones on the secondary metabolism of Streptomyces species. In the team, she fulfilled the function of Wiki manager.

Steijn Beekman

Fundraising manager

Steijn Beekman is a third-year Molecular Science & Technology student, who is interested in finding chemical solutions to fundamental medical problems. Besides this, he follows an individual Honours track focused on biochemistry and its applications, of which iGEM is an important part. During the project, Steijn made sure the project had enough financial support.

Tobias Fecker

Team manager

Tobias Fecker is doing his master’s in Molecular Genomics and also tries to learn Dutch, which should be easy with his German roots. Tobias has been to Chile where he researched PETase and their plastic-eating capabilities. With all his experience, he made sure the team cooperated smoothly and efficient.

Vera Williams

Design manager

Vera Williams has her bachelor’s in Biology and now specializes in Media Technology, with still a main focus on biological subjects. She has a lot of skills in making (3D) models and animations and thus made a perfect fit as our design manager. Besides this, she also made our mascot Squiggly Squiggleson.

"Vera has all the positive aspects of being a huge nerd." -- Maarten

Squiggly Squiggleson

Mascot

Squiggly Squiggleson is the teams official mascot and undeniably the cutest member on the team. His job is to sit near the top left of the screen and look absolutely adorable. When he is in the lab he makes sure to wear a lab coat, as per safety regulations. Special thanks to Vera for creating him.

"At first I had trouble with the idea of a squid being more attractive than me, but in time I learned to see the Truth of the Deep. The Leviathan will rise again and lay waste to the hubris of man. All hail the Kraken-God below! " -- Tobi