Edith Coonen - Edith Coonen is a Senior Clinical Embryologist working at the department of Reproductive Medicine next to a laboratory specialist in Reproductive Genetics employed by the department of Clinical Genetics at the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), the Netherlands. She is appointed assistant professor at Maastricht University and National coordinator Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT). Edith is actively involved in research concerning innovations in reproductive genetics and research aimed at elucidating the relationship between laboratory aspects of ART procedures and ART outcome, which includes research using embryo stem cell models. She is (co)author of close to 60 peer reviewed scientific articles, including international guidelines and expert opinion papers and a collaborator on various projects under the auspices of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM), Council of Europe. Edith is very much dedicated to the education of (PhD) students and professionals in the fields of Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Genetics and an experienced speaker at international congresses, workshops and training courses. She is past chair of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) PGT Consortium and currently a member of the ESHRE Executive Committee, as well as a member of the Education Committee of the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) . Both on a national and European scale, she is an advisory partner for politicians and advisory councils where the drafting of legislation and /or reports is concerned. Connect with Edith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edith-coonen-063a5015/ 

Rob Vreeken - Rob Vreeken studied Analytical Chemistry (Leiden University) with special classes on environmental law and advanced biology, aiming  to apply his knowledge in an environmental context. After a PhD at the Free University (Amsterdam) and a post-doctoral stay at the EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland) het returned back to the Netherlands to lead a group at KIWA (now-called KWR) focussing on Mass Spectrometry to identify and quantify pollutants in the dutch surface and drinking waters. After a couple of yrs he moved to TNO (Zeist, NL) to initiate and teach the 1st, vendor independant, hands-on courses on LC-MS (a novel technique massively jumped on by Pharma and industry. Here he widened his view to include pharma, life sciences. After some yrs he joined one the MS vendors to set-up a new  collaborative-, demo- and training facility in the Netherlands. A short stay at Avantium made him realize that he needed to return to the MS-world and he got the opportunity to help erect the Netherlands Metabolomics Centre at LACDR (Leiden University) with a core-MS based facility for top-notch biomedical research. The real application of developed methods came when he moved to Janssen Pharma in Beerse (Belgium),where his team looks into analytical support in drug discovery to understand disease states and Mode of action of novel drugs. Combined with a chair at M4I in Maastricht where he focusses (1 day/week) at Mass Spec Imaging and making visible what can not be seen and quantified, this creates a dynamic setting for the joy he gets form his work. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-vreeken-41b6312/ 

Balázs Jóri - I studied and finished my PhD in Budapest, and after that started to work in R+D in molecular pathology. At the arrival of current genomic approaches, such as NGS, wanted to explore their usability. At Maastricht University, in a joint study of Gynaecology and Clinical Genetics, studied additional genetic factors in endometrial cancer predisposition for 2 years. Following that I returned to industry, I spent 4 years at a leading genetic diagnostic company in Rostock, Germany. Now, for the last 5 years I work for Northern Germany's leading molecular pathology from Cologne, as molecular diagnostic and scientific fellow. My daily routine includes patient DNA data analysis and interpretation for targeted therapies, and meanwhile I publish results and evaluate clinical utility of future complex biomarkers and genetic predisposition markers too. Connect with Balázs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balazsjori

Tobias Dancker - My education predominantly happened at Maastricht University. Next to my studies, I accumulated a lot of experience with different extracurriculars (tutoring, Helix etc.) and took part in the Dual Degree Program with Tohoku University in Japan. I am now doing my PhD in the Molecular Imaging Lab of Saarland University, where I have constructed and am now experimenting with a novel endomicroscopy set-up and our STED microscope. A typical day for me involves planning and executing my experiments, some sort of programming and data analysis since we write most of our routines ourselves and usually some form of interdisciplinary discussion or academic writing. My biggest strength at this event is that I can give you detailed advice on how to leverage your UM education (and the adjacent Maastricht extracurriculars) during the application process for a PhD position.  Connect with Tobias on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobias-dancker-18620b17b/ 

Marieke Schor - Upon completion of my (bio)molecular sciences degree, I initially pursued an academic career. During my time as a PhD and postdoctoral researcher I used a wide variety of wet lab and in silico techniques to probe protein folding and self-assembly. In 2017 I decided to leave the academic career path. I briefly worked to foster industry-academic collaborations before starting a patent attorney traineeship. In 2020 I joined the UM library as an information specialist working primarily with FSE and FHML. What I love most about my current job is its diverse nature: developing online training material on information, data, and digital literacy skills, training students to find and work with sources in a systematic and critical manner, supporting researchers and students in their systematic literature reviews, advising on and budgeting for the collection (e.g. journals, books), developing processes and services to ensure a good fit with the future needs of the UM students and staff, etc. No two days are the same. Connect with Marieke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marieke-schor-a496783a/

Pan Xu - I currently work as a funding advisor. I am the contact person for MERLN and GROW. I support​​​​​individual/consortium applications at the pre-award stage of the research funding acquisition. My support includes: brainstorming project ideas, identifying suitable funding opportunities, providing advice on consortium formation, feedback on grant proposals and rebuttals, organizing interview trainings, provide assistance for proposal administrations. In addition, I am involved in different trainings and workshops, and help researchers seek for external consultancy support. My scientific interests/ focus are: life sciences, molecular biology, liver disease,  intestinal disease. Other relevant activities which are not directly related to work: traveling, cultural exchange, language, policy, strategies. Connect with Pan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pan-xu-ab322a80/ 

Mandana Heron - As a medical representative for a startup in cannabinoid-based therapies, my main task is to meet with doctors and explain how the endocannabinoid system is relevant in maintaining health and how the company's products (cannabinoids) can improve the quality of life of their patients. As the first employee of the company, I have a lot of opportunities for growth and to make suggestions for the company's growth. Additional tasks that have been added include giving lectures to doctors/specialists/nurses and I have recently also begun doing sales in pharmacies. A typical day in my week involves morning calls to fill my agenda and driving to doctor meetings. To optimise my day, I'll stop at pharmacies near my meetings to try and negotiate a sale. Connect with Mandana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandanaheron/

Willem Voncken - Willem did his double MSc studies (molecular biology, molecular sciences) at the Wagening University & Reserch center (graduated 1989).  Spent 7 years (0.5 year internship, 5 years PhD track, 1.5 years postdoc) at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles/University of Southern California creating and studying genetically modified mouse models to study gene function in Childhood Leukemia (PhD defense 1995, Wageningen). Next 5 years at Netherlands Cancer Institute as senior postdoc working on molecular epigenetics (1996-2001). Transit to University of Maastricht 2001, assistant professor Molecular Genetics at department; associate professor Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics (2008), head Transgenesis and Targeting Unit Maastricht. Currently father of two, education experience: tutor, teacher, developer, coordinator, counselor, mentor, EPC member, vice chair exam committee ate FHML, FSE, UCM.