'From an early age, I have been fascinated by the fact that a combination of inanimate chemistry can form a self-replicating cell that can perform such a myriad of functions, either on its own or as a part of a multicellular organism. Therefore, it was no hard choice to start studying cell biology at the University of Utrecht.

During my undergraduate and graduate studies, I worked in several laboratories to study the endolysosomal system and extracellular vesicles. Here I learned to appreciate the complexity of the processes of life truly. Even today, when speaking with scientists of all sorts of different fields, I stand in awe of the intricacy and adaptability of the processes that create life.'