In this series “Meet the people behind Biotech Booster” we introduce you to the passionate people who are involved in our mission.
A big part of our team consists of Biotech Booster business- and impact developers. They operate on a national level within five distinct Thematic Clusters (TC’s) that each represent specific biotech focus areas. Our business- and impact developers collaborate nationally on a daily basis to identify early stage high-potential biotechnology findings. They guide scientists and aspiring entrepreneurs in their journey to transform their ideas into successful biotech businesses so that biotechnology findings have a faster impact on society.
Name
Lieve van Veggel
What is your role within Biotech Booster?
I’m a Business Developer for Biotech Booster at Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus, where I dive into the exciting world of ATMPs & biopharmaceuticals as part of Thematic Cluster 3. Every day, I collaborate with brilliant minds, hear about innovative solutions, and help turn cutting-edge research into real-world impact.
Can you describe your role in a nutshell?
In my role, I support both ongoing projects and scout for new, innovative research initiatives that seek funding through our program. Currently, I’m guiding several exciting projects across the country, each with its unique challenges and potential.
Much of my work involves collaborating with my Biotech Booster colleagues from various knowledge institutes. We meet weekly in TC meetings and working groups, where we brainstorm and strategize on how to enhance the Biotech Booster program and ensure we fund the most promising projects. These discussions are crucial as we focus on understanding researchers’ needs and finding the best ways to support them.
As a business developer, I aim to help researchers with brilliant ideas move forward, improve the success of valorization in the Netherlands, and ultimately create a positive impact for the general public. It’s rewarding to see these projects grow and potentially make a difference in society.
What motivated you to join Biotech Booster’s mission?
During the final months of my research career, I started to broaden my network and speak to people in the industry. One conversation, in particular, was a light bulb moment for me when I realized I fit best in a role where you are not specialized in a specific topic but rather have a broader set of responsibilities. I wanted to be involved in all the cutting-edge science that is being done in the Netherlands and make sure that these ideas have the chance to develop and reach the market. This triggered my interest in business development and Biotech Booster. I strongly believe in the power of science but have seen firsthand that funding opportunities and knowledge on valorization are sometimes lacking. Knowing that I can combine my scientific knowledge with newly acquired business skills to create impact, motivates me to contribute to the Biotech Booster community.
What do you love most about your role? Pick one thing!
I love the fact that I get an insight into the most innovative and ambitious research projects in the field of biopharmaceuticals and ATMPs. During my research career, I have been focused on a very specific topic, namely the role of oxidative stress in progressive multiple sclerosis. It is very nice to now have a broad view of different scientific topics again.
You recently joined the team. What are your ambitions and what do you hope to achieve in the coming years?
I hope to achieve that researchers are excited about their Biotech Booster projects and feel like our help has pushed their research forward. I hope to contribute to lowering the barrier of providing cutting-edge science a place in our society.
If you could have dinner with any scientist, living or dead, who would it be, what would you ask them and why?
If I could have dinner with Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the pioneering physicist and chemist who discovered radium and polonium, it would be an incredible opportunity to learn from one of the greatest scientific minds in history. Last year, I went to Poland on holiday and learned a little more about her life and the start of her scientific career. It was nice to see the Polish people being proud of her amazing accomplishments, including 2 Nobel prizes. I also included a quote of hers on one of the first pages of my thesis: ‘I was taught the way of progress is neither swift nor easy.’
Therefore, during our dinner, I would ask her:
“What motivated you to pursue research in radioactivity, and how did you manage to balance your scientific work with the challenges you faced as a woman in a male-dominated field?”
