Experience

Orbits Oncology
• Belgium
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Chief Executive Officer

  • Aug 2023 - Present


University of Antwerp

• Belgium
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Adjunct Faculty

  • Oct 2023 - Present

  Antwerp, Flemish Region, Belgium Topics of interest and investigation in the field of non-thermal plasma medicine: • Electrical and chemical characterization of plasma treatment regimes for biological applications (e.g. cancer immunotherapy, viral inactivation) • Development of plasma devices and systems for medical applications including robotics and neural network integration • Induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) and anti-cancer immunity • Modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) • Stimulation of… Show more Topics of interest and investigation in the field of non-thermal plasma medicine: • Electrical and chemical characterization of plasma treatment regimes for biological applications (e.g. cancer immunotherapy, viral inactivation) • Development of plasma devices and systems for medical applications including robotics and neural network integration • Induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) and anti-cancer immunity • Modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) • Stimulation of intracellular pathways for plasma sensitivity and acquired resistance • Effects on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer metastasis • Strategic combination of plasma with existing cancer therapies • Plasma-induced cell death mechanisms • Effects on cancer cell metabolism

• FWO Senior Research Fellow

  • Oct 2020 - Sep 2023

  Antwerp, Belgium My research was aimed at uncovering the mechanisms of non-thermal plasma-acquired resistance in cancer cells. During my tenure as a senior postdoctoral researcher, I have: • Supervised and managed projects with 4 PhD students & 5 Master's student • Been invited to talk at 10+ international conferences & seminars • Filed 3 patents • Published 20 scientific manuscripts in high impact journals, including Drug Resistance Updates (IF: 24.3) and Advanced Science (IF: 17.5)

• FWO Junior Postdoctoral Research Fellow

  • Sep 2017 - Sep 2020

  Antwerp Area, Belgium My research aimed to understand plasma-cell interactions and develop non-thermal plasma systems for cancer immunotherapy. During my tenure as a junior postdoc, I have: • Collaborated on projects nationally and internationally, resulting in 10 peer-review publications • Secured over €1 million in research funding as Primary Investigator or Co-Investigator • Accepted 5 invitations to speak at international conferences and workshops • Supervised 3 Master's Thesis and 3 PhD… Show more My research aimed to understand plasma-cell interactions and develop non-thermal plasma systems for cancer immunotherapy. During my tenure as a junior postdoc, I have: • Collaborated on projects nationally and internationally, resulting in 10 peer-review publications • Secured over €1 million in research funding as Primary Investigator or Co-Investigator • Accepted 5 invitations to speak at international conferences and workshops • Supervised 3 Master's Thesis and 3 PhD students • Initiated new research streams and acquired 4 research grants from institutional (University of Antwerp) and national (FWO) funding agencies as principle investigator, co-investigator, and co-supervisor



Drexel University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Sep 2012 - May 2017

  Camden, New Jersey I worked in the C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute where I studied the influence of non-thermal plasma on immune functions in in vitro and in vivo systems for cancer immunotherapy, and designed the dielectric barrier discharge electrodes for research and clinical applications. I also participated in the writing of internal and external grant applications and was the primary investigator for one application. Every 6 months, I mentored and managed a cycle of 3 to 7 undergraduate co-ops in wet lab… Show more I worked in the C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute where I studied the influence of non-thermal plasma on immune functions in in vitro and in vivo systems for cancer immunotherapy, and designed the dielectric barrier discharge electrodes for research and clinical applications. I also participated in the writing of internal and external grant applications and was the primary investigator for one application. Every 6 months, I mentored and managed a cycle of 3 to 7 undergraduate co-ops in wet lab technique and experimental design. Show less



National Science Foundation

• United States

• GK-12 Fellow

  • Aug 2014 - Jul 2015

  Philadelphia, PA As a NSF GK-12 Fellow, I worked with sophomores and seniors in Honors Chemistry and Materials Science classes at Central High School in the Philadelphia School District. I focused on taking the concepts they learned in class and applying them to an engineering context, particularly those associated with the 14 NAE Grand Challenges. I designed and executed a 10 week syllabus culminating in a year long project with the students. This project required them to combine and apply all the concepts… Show more As a NSF GK-12 Fellow, I worked with sophomores and seniors in Honors Chemistry and Materials Science classes at Central High School in the Philadelphia School District. I focused on taking the concepts they learned in class and applying them to an engineering context, particularly those associated with the 14 NAE Grand Challenges. I designed and executed a 10 week syllabus culminating in a year long project with the students. This project required them to combine and apply all the concepts they learned in order to successfully build a solar powered water distillation system. Show less



NASA Glenn Research Center

• United States
• Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Intern

  • Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area I wrote a program that determined the optimal ion engine dimensions to assess new design concepts. In addition, the program analyzes and draws 2D ion engines based off input dimensions; calculations of surface area-to-volume ratios are made and related to discharge loss. I also assembled a variety of ion engines, including the interstellar engine and the annular geometry ion engine (AGI-E), and ran diagnostics prior to the experiments. Lastly, I ensured the proper running of the engines in the… Show more I wrote a program that determined the optimal ion engine dimensions to assess new design concepts. In addition, the program analyzes and draws 2D ion engines based off input dimensions; calculations of surface area-to-volume ratios are made and related to discharge loss. I also assembled a variety of ion engines, including the interstellar engine and the annular geometry ion engine (AGI-E), and ran diagnostics prior to the experiments. Lastly, I ensured the proper running of the engines in the vacuum facilities by calculating the back sputtering effects. Show less



University of Michigan

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Oct 2010 - May 2012

  Ann Arbor, MI I designed and assembled a variety of different devices for the Plasma Sciences and Technology Lab (PSTL). I built an atmospheric plasma jet, from my drawings in SolidWorks, that is currently being used for biomedical research. From drawings and simulations made in Ansoft Maxwell, I designed and built an electron gun to be used for hall thruster studies; these designs are still being referred to in building electrons guns for different applications. Aside from my lab duties, I organised… Show more I designed and assembled a variety of different devices for the Plasma Sciences and Technology Lab (PSTL). I built an atmospheric plasma jet, from my drawings in SolidWorks, that is currently being used for biomedical research. From drawings and simulations made in Ansoft Maxwell, I designed and built an electron gun to be used for hall thruster studies; these designs are still being referred to in building electrons guns for different applications. Aside from my lab duties, I organised demonstrations and volunteered in plasma science outreach to middle school students in Detroit. Show less



Institute of Nuclear Energy Research

• Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Intern

  • Jun 2010 - Aug 2010

  Taoyuan, Taiwan I researched the efficacy of active targeting radiopharmaceutical drugs on cancer-bearing mice and was involved with the whole research process, from the design of the experiment to the collection and analysis of data. I grew, harvested, and injected cancer cells into the mice for the drug study and also learned to safely prepare and administer radioactive drugs for the cancer treatment. The culmination of my project was a presentation of my results at an academic conference hosted by Taiwan's… Show more I researched the efficacy of active targeting radiopharmaceutical drugs on cancer-bearing mice and was involved with the whole research process, from the design of the experiment to the collection and analysis of data. I grew, harvested, and injected cancer cells into the mice for the drug study and also learned to safely prepare and administer radioactive drugs for the cancer treatment. The culmination of my project was a presentation of my results at an academic conference hosted by Taiwan's National Science Council. Show less



University of Michigan Health System

• United States
• Restaurants
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Sep 2008 - May 2010

  Ann Arbor,MI In working for the Pediatrics Department, I was involved in assisting with the transgenic animal research; my duties included the breeding setup and ear tagging of mice and the execution of blood sampling and glucose tolerance tests. In addition, I performed DNA isolation from tissue samples, and determined their genotypes through polymerase chain reactions (PCR).