Profile

I’m originally from the Netherlands where I grew up before moving to Canada and finally ending up in Oxford. I’m very rarely at home, as I spend my time doing sport, walking the puppy (Cocker Spaniel called Peggy) or working which I see more as a hobby. I love to be outside, come rain or sunshine, and travel around Europe in my VW Campervan.

Whilst at home, I tend to get stuck in with fun series such as Game of Thrones or have the Discovery channel on repeat! When not sat in front of the tv and being lazy, I get stuck in with DIY jobs around the house, which often results in getting the first aid kit out… Ouch!!!

I’m the research group leader of the Movement Science Group at Oxford Brookes University. As part of this group, we are looking to develop new technology that can help people with neurological diseases. This can entail anything from thinking very futuristic to very basic technology. For example we are working on tattoos that can sense motion and vital signs!!!

Off course, research isn’t free, so I do spend a lot of my time meeting people to collaborate on grant proposals. These are a lot of work after which they are reviewed by a very scaaaaaarrrrrryyyy anonymous reviewer… She/He will look at how good you are, how much you know and if you get money to do your next bit of research…. Even worse, he could be anywhere!!! 

Apart from the above, I do spend a lot of time with people around me, especially those who I’m trying to help! Very interesting to talk to people. One of my participants worked, for example, on the development of military rockets! How cool is that?

I’m sure there are lots more things to talk about, so come and have a chat! In the meanwhile, have a look at the research group website

As a researcher, you don’t have a ‘typical day’. This is also what makes everyday fun and different! Not knowing what is coming at you work-wise is thrilling, exciting yet daunting! Yes there is a routine of having to do paperwork once every so often, but that isn’t a big part of the day.

When working on the frontier of scientific knowledge, it’s like going on a long bicycle ride abroad, you never know what will be around the corner, what views you’re going to have, who you’ll meet and what the weather will do. Every day is different, but always exciting.

As a researcher you need to see your ‘job’ as described above, if you don’t research isn’t for you as it’s not a 9-5 job, rather a hobby for which you need to have the passion to work hard.