Nico De Jongh Email & Phone Number

Paris, Fr

Paris, Île-De-France, France

With expertise in process design, scale-up, and collaborative problem-solving, I drive impactful results in cellular agriculture. My skills span technical innovation, data-driven process development, and cross-disciplinary teamwork.Core Competencies:• Aseptic Technique & Cell Cultivation: Proficient in aseptic handling and cell cultivation in shake flasks and bioreactors from milliliter to 1000+ L scales. Skilled in adapting growth environments and transitioning from lab to industrial-scale.• Process Scale-Up: Experienced in continuous feeding and harvesting strategies, fluid transfer design, and pump specification for scalable solutions.• Downstream Processing: Experience with centrifugation across scales, focusing on productivity and efficiency.• Data Analysis & Modeling: Developed simple metabolic models and predictive black box mass balance models for diverse process conditions.• Continuous Process Development: Designed semi-continuous and continuous systems, sourced equipment, and established operational benchmarks.• Materials & Equipment Acquisition: Secured sterile storage solutions, tube welders, and filtration systems for seamless operations.• Project Management: Managed lab-, pilot-, and industrial-scale projects, aligned objectives with clients, trained teams, created production schedules, and ensured compliance with quality standards.Key Achievements:• Conducted and coordinated various industrial process development experiments.• Implemented large-scale media transfer systems to prevent production delays.• Coordinated alarm and monitoring system deployment for bioreactors, enhancing safety and reliability.• Developed process models and supported reactor sampling for continuous cultivation.• Negotiated with suppliers to reduce costs and improve delivery times.Adaptable and collaborative, I am passionate about driving innovation in cultivated meat production through sustainable bioprocess engineering.

Paris, Île-De-France, France

Specialising in engineering design, data analysis, and rapid prototyping, I developed scalable bioreactor systems for next-generation biotechnologies, advancing efficiency and sustainability in cellular agriculture.Core Competencies:• Bioreactor Design: Created scalable, cost-effective bioreactor prototypes with pH, DO, temperature, and agitation controls. Integrated advanced monitoring systems and validated functionalities, including aseptic connections and gas exchange.• Bioprocess Engineering: Designed scalable nutrient feed, waste removal, and sterility systems. Conducted process modelling and troubleshooting for enhanced cell suspension and oxygenation.• Rapid Prototyping: Delivered custom components using 3D printing (FDM & SLA), CNC machining, and laser cutting for bioreactor development and testing.• Data-Driven Development: Optimized processes with real-time data analysis (Arduino & LabVIEW/NI), leveraging controls for lab, pilot, and industrial scales.• Collaboration: Partnered with biology, analytics, and engineering teams, contributing to workshop establishment and equipment testing setups.Key Achievements:• Reactor Innovation: Delivered iterations of novel bioreactor systems, validated for scalability and cell cultivation.• Technology Integration: Enhanced third-party bioreactor systems with advanced control systems and automation.• Process Validation: Achieved exponential cell growth and improved fluidics and sterility workflows.• Patent Contributions: Collaborated on multiple patents, strengthening intellectual property.• Workshop Collaboration: Established a maker lab-style workshop integral to bioreactor development and testing.By blending technical expertise with innovative solutions, I contributed to advancing the cultivated meat industry and driving sustainability in biotechnology.

Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

After finishing my BEng(Chemical) degree, a valuable opportunity was presented to complete both my BEng(Hons)(Chemical) and MEng(Chemical) in Bioreaction Engineering degrees under Prof. Willie Nicol at the University of Pretoria.As part of the research project a sterile lab scale fungal bioreactor system with sophisticated online measurement and control functionality based on the LabVIEW environment had to be designed, constructed and operated. After this consecutive experiments based on literature and previous experimental results were planned utilising constructed mathematical models in Python to predict and consolidate obtained data in an iterative fashion. In addition to my main project I also assisted in the design, construction and operation of small, low cost non-sterile bioreactor systems utilising Arduino microcontrollers. Personally analysing experimental samples provided valuable operating experience with various analytical instruments and techniques, including: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Total Organic carbon (TOC) analysis, UV-Vis Spectroscopy and some optical microscopy.During the progression of this project, I have also gained valuable computer literacy skills. Implementing the reactor system provided me experience working in the LabVIEW environment and with the NI DAQ system and hardware modules. As my main workhorse for data analysis, model building and general problem solving, I am comfortable programming in Python, especially in the Spyder and Jupyter Notebook IDEs. I am also proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams with limited experience in Access. Many manuscripts were also written, edited and compiled with LaTeX, including an academic article and dissertation.Multiple projects utilised Aspen Plus for process design and analysis during the BEng and BEng(Hons) degrees.Many smaller projects also utilised the Arduino and XOD IDEs for programming Arduino microcontrollers for experimental setups.

Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Along with studying full time, I was also appointed as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for a number of the undergraduate modules in the department, including: Biochemical Engineering (CBI310), Laboratory (CLB321), Chemical Engineering (CIR211), Kinetics (CKN321) and Mass Transfer (CMO310).This position required that I provided assistance regarding concept understanding, calculations and experiments to students during contact and online tutorial sessions. To assist the lecturers, I also created, marked and invigilated a number of the class tests and experiments.

Master Of Engineering - Meng(Chemical)(With Distinction), Biocatalysis And Bioreaction Engineering

Activities and Societies: Organiser of the Bioreaction (BRX) Engineering Research Group Smoothie Club. Weekly attendant and occasional.

Honour'S In Engineering - Beng(Hons)(Chemical)(With Distinction), Biocatalysis And Bioreaction Engineering

Activities and Societies: Weekly attendant and occasional presenter at the Bioreaction Engineering Research Group's Journal Club..

Bachelor Of Engineering - Beng(Chemical), Chemical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Member of Luminous Day House at UP (2013 - 2014). House Committee member of De Goede Hoop private residence.