Nikki Van Bel Email & Phone Number

Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

Nikki van Bel is a medior scientific researcher in the field of microbiological water quality and health with almost 10 years of experience in microbiology. Nikki did her PhD research in virology in the field of HIV/AIDS. Within KWR, Nikki still works with viruses but she also specializes in various aspects of the microbiological safety of drinking water, including microbiological stability and safety of drinking water and fast microbiological measuring methods. For example, she has quantified the effectiveness of cleaning measures to remove pathogens from the drinking water distribution network in a test set-up in collaboration with the microbiological laboratory. Another example is the validation of rapid online microbiological sensors. In addition, Nikki is working on projects in which the properties of bacteria are used, for example for the biodegradation of organic micropollutants during drinking water production. Nikki regularly presents her research at international conferences and at the client's premises. She works with partners within and outside KWR and at home and abroad to find the answers to research questions and problems. Project management is part of the task package together with carrying out the research activities.

Amsterdam Area, Netherlands

During my PhD project I studied the role of the RNA sequence and secondary structure on different stages of viral replication, with a special interest in RNA-related processes. In addition, I studied the working mechanism of new HIV-1 inhibitors. Obtained skills: project management, analytical, logical thinking, communication, working in a team, guiding bachelor students.Laboratory techniques: working at a BSL-3 facility; qPCR; virological, molecular biological and biochemical techniques; radioactivity techniques; cell culture; Northern blot; RNA structure probing; RNA isolation and RNA synthesis

To practice for their CITO-test (at the end of primary school), I made questions for primary school children about their text books of many different subjects. Squla hosts a website where the children can use these questions to practice the subjects they learn about at school in a fun way.

Subject: Specific Protein Epitope Mimetic compounds antagonize the natural transmembrane receptor ligand in a binding assay• Development of a radiolabeled ligand binding assay, used for the secondary screening of the activity and selectivity of a potential transmembrane receptor inhibiting peptide.• Applied techniques: cell culture; working with radioactive materials in a ligand binding assay; phage display panning procedures including phage DNA purification; FACS procedures.

Title: Application of viral peptides as inhibitors of the transporter TAP• Development of a tool to deliver long peptides to the ER of dendritic cells, thereby enabling the cells to display the corresponding epitopes at the cell surface.• Applied techniques: cell culture; DC isolation from human buffy coats; fluorescent microscopy; usage and preparation of liposomes for peptide delivery to human DCs; FACS procedures and transfection and transduction.

Advising and informing high school students in the choices of schools and directions of study and university. Showing students around at the university and also attending a few lectures and one practical to assist the student and simplify the difficult decision of study choices.

Development of isolation techniques for murine endothelial cells and alignment in the flow direction.Applied techniques: cell culture, (RT-)PCR, cell isolation procedures, antibody staining, usage of parallel flow chamber system.

Msc, Life Science & Technology, Profile Cell Diagnostics

Combined with training young children in handball

Bachelor, Biomedical Sciences, Graduated With Distinction (Cum Laude)

Activities and Societies: Combined with: honours programme of Biomedical Sciences student tutor top-class handball

Honours Programme, Certificate Obtained

Followed extracurricular courses in the direction of philosophy, natural sciences and life sciences.

Atheneum, Natural Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths