At the moment
I am a H2020 Marie Curie ESR within the project of ImplantSens working on enzyme engineering for the purpose of implantable glucose biosensors at Eyown Technologies. Simultaneously, I am a Ph.D. student at the Autonomous University of Madrid

My background
I have completed a Master’s degree in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences with the specialization of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology at Leiden University. I have participated in research regarding biocatalysis and biotechnology focusing on enzyme engineering, evolution, and characterization. I have also participated in metabolomics research using triple quad mass spectrometry and other common analytical chemistry techniques such as UPLC-MS, GC-MS, and sample optimization to establish a screening platform for metabolites.  My main interests and passion lie in the field of Enzymology and Biotechnology.

Project Description
An evolved galactose oxidase that is glucose sensitive will be further engineered for immobilization and thermostability. These engineering techniques will be done through directed evolution and computational methods to combine both in-silico output with wet-lab experiments. Ensuring robust immobilization by engineering galactose oxidase will yield a well-bound enzyme on planar electrodes. Enhancing thermostability will give it a further robustness in the activity of the enzyme without compromising its glucose activity, therefore ultimately yielding a robust glucose sensitive system that can be applied on glucose biosensors.

Goal of ITN project 
Goal of ESR 9 is to produce a final variant of glucose sensitive galactose oxidase that is robust in activity and is thermo stable at high temperatures as well as on planar surfaces. This variant therefore has the potential to be applied to continuous glucose monitoring biosensors that will be robust and durable; not to mention given the promiscuity of this enzyme, other significant metabolites can also be monitored in order to ensure a healthy biochemical profile of the patient.