WHO AM I?🌱 Currently, I am a Pre-Breeder at the Lettuce Department of Rijk Zwaan. What do I do as Pre-Breeder? Prioritize, coordinate, manage and guide research projects in order to help the breeders speeding up their programs. Looks like a lot of work behind a computer but that is not completely true. I also go very often to a field or a greenhouse to see the plants first hand and score their phenotype. Next to this, I like to be well informed about the public developments in research so that, together with my team and colleagues from other research departments, I translate them into breeding solutions. In this position I am mainly acquiring:❇️ Strong project management skills❇️ Excellent communication skills❇️ Team building skills (e.g. active listening, conflict management, diplomacy, delegation, motivating people…)❇️ Analysis of biological data❇️Lots of knowledge of different traits, beyond my specialization on plant immunity🌿 I have a background in Plant Science. When I went to Davis for my MSc thesis, I decided that I wanted to pursue a PhD. I ended up completing two (!). What makes me mostly proud is the fact that I was able to transfer some of my passion for research to 10 students who did their MSc thesis with me in Wageningen. Six of these students also decided to start a PhD, either in the Netherlands or in other countries. Three of these six PhDs started even under my daily supervision. 📚 I published 14 peer-reviewed articles. My name is listed as first author in five of these. On the others I am co-author because I managed to build nice relationships with other PhD students and researchers. 🎤 Since I strongly believe that scientific research needs to be better communicated to society, I am committed to be very clear when I explain my data. This has led in time to be appreciated when I give presentations because it is easy to follow my line of thoughts. 🤝‍ Since June 2021, I have a blog called Plantine (https://www.plantine-blog.eu) where I write for PhD students who are struggling with uncertainties and problems arising during the different phases of their doctoral track. I offer inspiration through the stories of other PhD students, tips to thrive during PhD life and alternative solutions to academic life. Be sure to check it out! 🕹️ In my personal and professional life, I am guided by these seven values: collaboration, creativity, integrity, flexibility, harmony, courage and personal growth.✍️ And last but not least, talking about personal growth I am getting a certification to become a coach! Pretty excited!