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Experience

EXPERIENCE

2022 - Now
SPOT Innovation

SPOT Innovation helps businesses in Agrifood and Life Sciences create sustainable products and processes with a focus on Alternative Proteins.

2021 - 2022
Innovation & Technology Director of the Business Unit POFU (Proteins of the Future) at DSM Food Specialties

​Lead the development and execution of the Protein innovation strategy, including research & technology for DSM and the Joint Venture.

  • Management of the integral innovation portfolio of POFU. Steering and reporting of the underlying R&D

  • Lead and execute the development of CanolaPRO® based intermediate products and leverage solutions in the overall DSM approach

  • Support building a portfolio of alternative proteins for POFU, having synergies with CanolaPRO™ through alliances, partnering or venturing, considering also modification through bioconversion and fermentation

  • Lead Intermediate product & process development (TVP  & HME)

2016 - 2021
RD&T Director Canola/Rapeseed Protein at DSM Innovation Center

​Development of a novel proprietary technology to produce a unique specialty protein from Canola/Rapeseed.

Purpose:

  • Define RD&T strategy for the Canola Protein Venture.

  • Lead the execution of this strategy, drive innovation and direct the development of processes, products and applications in alignment with marketing, manufacturing and technological opportunities.

  • Support international collaborations towards R&D and large scale manufacturing.

  • Align the key stakeholders i.e. DSM science, Biotech Center, External partners, on the RT&D strategy, progress and needs.

Content:

  • Continuous process development and optimization, incl. scouting of novel emerging technologies

  • Co-develop IP strategy, secure development of novel IP and filing

  • Manage/coordinate application work and new products development, internally & externally, fully aligned with commercial strategy & focus areas

  • Collaborate with foreign external partners to develop a large scale manufacturing strategy

2009 - 2015
R&D Program Manager at DSM Food Specialties

R&D Program Manager at DSM Food Specialties

  • Set up of the program ‘Proteins of the Future’ turning agricultural by-products and by-products from the new bio-based economies into high quality nutritional/functional proteins.

  • Development of novel technology to produce Protein Hydrolysate from rice bran.

2005 - 2009
Senior Project Manager at DSM Food Specialties

Development of new ingredients, processes and products in food: functional foods, hydrolysates, enzymes.

Involved in the due diligence and acquisition of a company active in weight management & integration of the R&D part in DSM

Business team member responsible for R&D in the weight management business unit. Managed the global launch and growth of a new satiety ingredient (Fabuless™) for food and supplement applications.

R&D director for the groups located in Sweden and Delft.

2000 - 2005
Senior Innovation team leader at DSM Anti Infectives

​Startup of the new Cephalosporine plant with revolutionary “green technology” (ZOR-f) in Delft, it was the first example of White Biotech implemented on full scale in Europe.

  • Business team member 7-ADCA/cephalosporins, responsible for technology.

  • Leading the R&D/production team, with disciplines in genetics, microbiology, fermentation, downstream processing, analytics, team size up to 15 people.

  • Definition of the patent strategy and management of the portfolio

1998 - 2000
Project Manager Technology, Gist-Brocades, Project management

​Technological innovation of the Penicillin process

  • Define projects, monitor progress and budget, follow relevant technological developments.

  • Business team member, leading the multi-disciplinary R&D team.

1996 - 1998
Scientist fermentation, Gist-Brocades, Process development,

​Department of Process development, Fermentation and Genetics.

Education

EDUCATION

1990 - 1995
Delft University of Technology

PhD Biochemical Engineering

Grade: Cum Laude

1983 - 1989
Wageningen University & Research

Master Degree, Environmental Biotechnology

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