Lieke van Gijzel

Since my bachelor studies, I have been deeply passionate about drug development and the chemical synthesis of small molecules and peptide moieties. With a particular fascination for the potential of peptide-based therapies in drug discovery, I pursued two master's degrees—Drug Design and Synthesis at VU and Pharmaceutical Sciences at KU—before embarking on my PhD. My research focuses on the Magic Bullet Reloaded project, exploring the design of antibody-drug conjugates using dextran, peptides, and small molecules for the development of novel cancer treatments. I am driven by the desire to contribute to the advancement of cancer medicines and to learn from a wide range of experts in chemistry, biochemistry, and immunology.

In addition to my career in the lab, I have also taken on a leadership role within the European Young Chemists' Network (EYCN). My goal is to connect young chemists across Europe, facilitating collaboration, knowledge exchange, and fostering innovation within the scientific community. As part of my efforts to increase the visibility of young chemists, I contributed to organizing articles in ChemViews on the importance of youth engagement and the value of experience in the chemistry field.

Now, I am applying all of these experiences to the development of novel hydrogel drug release systems in a unique collaboration between the startup Upyther and the academic group of Patricia Dankers at TU/e. This project focuses on creating targeted, localized therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer, utilizing immune-activating agents and cutting-edge drug delivery techniques to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects.

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence." – Albert Einstein

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" – Albert Einstein

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." – Thomas Edison

Currently, Lieke is a postdoctoral researcher in the DankersLab and collaborates with the biotech company UPyTher. Her work centers on the development of UPy-based drug delivery systems for local, sustained release of immune-modulating therapies in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Through this multidisciplinary project, she aims to contribute to a new generation of drug delivery systems which are selective, potent, released in a controlled manner, aiding the development of novel cancer therapeutics.