Niek
Welkenhuysen
Technical wizard and long distance running extraordinaire.
I am a Technical Project Development Lead at Fluicell, which means that my responsibilities range from planning to executing and monitoring our ongoing project development activities. You could say that I am a bit of a hub in our development lab, ensuring that all the projects run smoothly and efficiently. Before joining Fluicell, I did a cell biology phd and postdoc at the University of Gothenburg. During this time, my interest shifted from pure biology more towards technology. Which brings me into the role that I have today, where I get to combine these two areas together.
A natural science Swiss army knife
In my role, I have the possibility to interact with a diverse range of people both within and outside our organization, representing a great diversity in terms of backgrounds and cultures. Because of this, I need to approach my job with a multidisciplinary approach. One day I am looking into how to redesign a piece in our equipment and the other day I am working with a new software implementation. Having to work multidisciplinary requires continuous learning, something that I also recognize from my time as a university researcher. There, my role was something of a natural science Swiss army knife, dipping a toe in everything from mathematics and physics to microfluidics and cell biology. I find this way of working, where I get to collaborate with many different people across multiple projects, to be very stimulating and motivating.
The BIRDIE project lets me interact with scientists and help advance their research by developing new technologies based on their needs.
User-centered development
The BIRDIE project offers me a platform to interact with other researchers. My aim is to understand their needs so that we can develop new technologies that let them advance their research. At Fluicell, I have worked hard to create structured and efficient product development methods, which has resulted in shorter product development cycles and increased output. One thing I am particularly pleased about is that we are involving key users more in our product development, delivering systems with greater value for the end-users. The BIRDIE project is a good example of this approach.
In the BIRDIE project I have helped design, construct, and implement changes to our bioprinter Biopixlar, based on the needs of the other partners in the project and our common development goals. Additionally, I have had the pleasure to visit all BIRDIE sites equipped with a Biopixlar to ensure seamless integration of our technology and to assist with their projects. It has been rewarding to visit all these sites and expand my horizons a bit. Seeing all the different kinds of research that is ongoing in the project is very stimulating.
Managing projects, on and off work
Undertaking multiple projects simultaneously is not only something I do at work, but also an appropriate way to describe what I do in my spare time. My most recent endeavor has been to construct a fully bioactive rainforest terrarium for poison dart frogs that combines automation with biology. On top of that, I am also an ardent endurance athlete, steadily approaching a sub-3-hour marathon. My current PR is 3:08, so I feel that this goal is not too far out of reach. I am also considering signing up for my first full triathlon after having completed many half-distance triathlons. My interest in endurance training started around when I was 17 and is something that has been a part of my life since then. More than anything, training gives me the energy to tackle every challenge I face in life.
BIRDIE Project Website 