Repetitive on-demand drug release from polymeric matrices containing a macroscopic spherical iron core.

Abstract

During my chemical engineering studies, it was only during my master thesis work that I decided to continue with PhD research as I really enjoyed doing original research. When coming to the end of my PhD research under supervision of Prof. Ulrich S. Schubert, I developed the ambition to pursue an academic career. Fortunately, I got the opportunity to stay with Prof. Schubert as project leader for the Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI). Within this position, I supervised ten researchers and was able to start developing my independent research lines. Despite that I now advise students to not stay in the same laboratory, this first position allowed me to gain some initial independence and to publish a large number of papers that has been a great benefit in my further career. After two and a half years I needed a new challenge that I found by taking up a part-time position at a start-up company in Eindhoven, Dolphys Medical BV, while I also continued as part-time group leader for the DPI. As senior product developer, I was in charge of the research and learned to focus on the application rather than scientific curiosity. This experience made me realize that I prefer the freedom to do academic blue sky research and decided to fully go for an academic position. After personal discussions with some prominent professors in the Netherlands, I applied for a postdoc fellowship in the Netherlands with Prof. Roeland Nolte as well as a Humboldt fellowship in Germany with Prof. Martin Möller, which I both got. As a result, I went one year 'abroad' to Aachen and returned to Nijmegen where I intended to start my independent career. However, another opportunity came along. Via my personal network I was informed that I would make a good chance if I applied for a new professor scheme in Ghent. So I applied and the rest is history. Picture of the Supramolecular Chemistry Group (2017).