Testimonials
One thing that really helped was that the student advisors were always available for any questions I had.
- Previous education
- Bachelor's Life Sciences at HAN in Nijmegen
- Programme
- Neurobiology
- Country of previous education
- Netherlands
- Study start date
Why did you choose Radboud University?
I chose Radboud University because I was already very familiar with the campus and city, prior to starting my Master's. It felt like the natural next step to take after I finished my Bachelor's degree.
How did you experience the transition from a Bachelor’s programme to a Master’s programme?
It was difficult and liberating. Initially, it was difficult because during my Bachelor’s my schedule was much more defined and structured. Typically, there is a more defined structure in place that tells you what to do and when to do it. For the Master's degree you have complete freedom in how you organise your academic schedule/programme, and once I got used to it, I really liked it. One thing that really helped was that the student advisors were always available for any questions I had.
What do you like about the Master's programme and why?
The thing I like most is the freedom you have in 'designing' your own programme. You have a core set of courses you need to complete, but you also have to complete a number of courses of your own choosing. Additionally, you are completely free in where to do your two internships. Currently, I am doing a very fun and interesting internship at the Kolk lab which is part of the Molecular Neurobiology department, here at the Radboud University. Due to these reasons, you have a lot of control in what for topics you want to specialise in. This can be challenging as it is easier to have the university plan out your entire programme, but at the same time if you can handle the responsibility it is very rewarding.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
Generally speaking, the atmosphere in class is really relaxed, teachers are very approachable and they are always very eager to answer questions.
What are your plans once you have received your Master’s degree?
After my Master's degree, I will start a PhD focused on Neurobiological research.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme?
No, I have not been (directly) involved with our study association, although I have attended some events. However, I have been involved with the university sports associations, which has always been a lot of fun.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
Nijmegen is a very diverse city that attracts all kinds of different people. I like meeting new people and I've felt that the diverse background of the many students here have led me to build up a very interesting friend group. Additionally, Nijmegen centrum has everything you need within walking distance, being from a small town I really appreciate that.
Did you visit any information meetings at the campus before you signed up for your studies?
I was living in Canada when I applied for the programme, so I was not able to physically visit Radboud University. So prior to signing up, I read the study guides and watched videos which helped give me a good impression of what the study would be like. Additionally, I also asked friends that were already studying here what their opinion on the programme was.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Make sure that the main focus of the programme is something you are interested in and is something see yourself doing in the future. I am a strong believer that if you like something and are consistently hard working towards your goal, you will succeed.
I find working in such an interdisciplinary environment, with people with completely different perspectives, very rewarding.
- Programme
- Neurobiology
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Fleur Zeldenrust. After a broad propedeuse (bèta-gamma in Amsterdam) and a BSc in physics and astronomy, I started a MSc in theoretical physics. I discovered that I found the brain a very interesting topic to study, but that I liked the tools and methods of physics. At the time, a MSc in the more theoretical aspects of neuroscience did not exist, but I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to more or less make my own program, existing of advanced mathematics (dynamical systems, signal analysis, modelling), but also biophysics and neuroscience. After my MSc, I started a PhD in computational neuroscience, during which I was already teaching neurophysiology and signal analysis. After a postdoc in Paris, I returned to Amsterdam to develop a track 'computational neuroscience' in the BSc program 'Psychobiology'. I started my lab in Nijmegen in 2016, after which I have been teaching and lecturing in Neurobiology, Neurophysics, Cognitive Neuroscience and AI. Next to that, I co-organize the yearly Brain Olympiad, and I started the 'BrainHelpDesk' platform, in which anyone can ask questions about the brain.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
I believe the brain is fascinating: we all have one, but we still don't quite know how it works! Neuroscience brings together people from very different backgrounds, from very exact (physics, biology, computer science) to social (psychology) to arts (linguistics, philosophy). I find working in such an interdisciplinary environment, with people with completely different perspectives, very rewarding. I still learn new things every day!
What do you like best about being a lecturer?
I find lecturing very inspiring. Often I get questions that show me a new perspective. I also like to convey the enthusiasm and curiosity that I feel myself as a scientist.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
The brain continuously processes information. The physical structure of the brain (its ‘hardware’) shapes this information processing and vice versa: the computations needed for information processing (the ‘software’) are adapted to the physical structure of the hardware. In my ‘Biophysics of Neural Computation’ group, we study the relationship between the physical properties of the brain and its information processing: how are neurons and networks formed so that they can perform functions such as perception? Which characteristics of neurons and networks enhance or limit information transfer? We as humans still strongly outperform machines and computers in tasks such as facial recognition or adaptation to changes in illumination. Understanding how the brain does this can help us improve the performance of such devices.
My group studies these questions using a variety of theoretical methods, from (biophysical) neural network modelling to abstract coding models and advanced data analysis of experimental data. We collaborate closely with experimental neuroscientists, studying neurons, networks, and behaviour, unraveling together the fundamental functions of the brain.
What advice do you have for students making their study choice?
Working on or studying a topic you are not interested in is very difficult, so choose initially something that you care about. However, sometimes what you care about can be the methods rather than the topic. I found out myself that I liked the methods of physics, but the topic of neuroscience. Finally, of course you don't have to like each and every subject: some courses you just need to get you where you want to go. Just do these the best you can, and they might grow on you!
Students come from diverse backgrounds, making the group compositions unique. The lectures by professors are very inspiring.
- Previous education
- MBO Laboratoriumonderzoek (Summa College Laboratorium Eindhoven), HBO Biologie en Medisch Laboratoriumonderzoek (Avans Hogeschool Breda), Pre-Master Medical Biology (Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen)
- Programme
- Neurobiology
- Study start date
- Study end date
What appeals to you about the Master's programme and why?
This Master's programme helps me fulfill my dream of conducting research as a neuroscientist. The academic skills provided by this programme are a valuable addition to the practical and theoretical knowledge I have gained during my vocational and higher education.
How do you experience the atmosphere within the programme?
It is great to interact with people who share the same passion for neuroscience! Students come from diverse backgrounds, making the group compositions unique. The lectures by professors are very inspiring. Additionally, researchers are easily approachable as Radboud University is connected to various institutes, such as the Donders Institute.
What do you find most challenging about the Master's (specialisation)? Are there any obstacles you encounter?
Each course has its own components, such as (writing) assignments, presentations, and exams. It may happen that deadlines for different courses coincide. Therefore, good organisational skills are crucial, not only to complete everything on time but also to maintain enough personal time. Personally, I often find it difficult to 'switch off' from my studies and should allocate more time for myself.
Why is it important to have individuals with this master's (specialisation) degree? What do you plan to do with it after completing your Master's?
There are numerous specialisations, such as cognitive, computational, molecular, or clinical neuroscience. A professor once told me: "It is impossible to become an expert in everything. Therefore, it is essential to specialise and share your expertise with other neuroscientists." Hence, after obtaining my master's degree, I am determined to make a valuable contribution to the world as a neuroscientist.
In our society, there is a significant shortage of labor in healthcare and agriculture. With our products, we try to find solutions for this.
- Programme
- Neurobiology
Developing new digital technology for a healthy and sustainable world is the aim of OnePlanet, the multidisciplinary collaboration between Wageningen University & Research, Radboud University and Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc), and Imec, a leading Belgian research center.
Sensor technology is one of the focal points. Since 1 January 2024, Richard van Wezel has been the Director of Health at the OnePlanet Research Center. He also works as a professor of Neuroscience at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, part of Radboud University Nijmegen.
Stimulating business activity
"OnePlanet was established five years ago with support from the Province of Gelderland to stimulate business activity and innovation. The beauty of this collaboration is that we develop things that we actually bring to market. With every idea we want to develop, we ask ourselves if there is a market for it: are people or companies willing to pay for it?" says Van Wezel.
"This is a very different starting point for university researchers compared to the research academics usually engage in."
Gut flora
A pill equipped with an ingestible sensor that measures and records the temperature in your stomach and intestines, among other things, and tracks how long food stays in your intestines, has already been tested on healthy volunteers. Work is still ongoing on a pill that can take a sample from your stomach or intestines for analysis, with the first human studies expected in 2025.
"These are important developments for better treating patients with chronic diseases such as Crohn's disease. But for other diseases, like Parkinson's, the gut flora plays an important role that affects your health. A sensor helps in diagnosing and in the optimisation and further development of medication."
Nitrogen sensor
Van Wezel also talks about the intensive work on new sensors for the food industry and agriculture.
"In our society, there is a significant shortage of labor in healthcare and agriculture. With our products, we try to find solutions for this. For example, we have developed a nitrogen sensor to perform measurements around a farm, and a laser technique to measure the ripeness of fruits in the orchard so you know when they can be picked. Another example is mapping an orchard in 3D, so you can indicate in advance to workers or a robot which branches need to be pruned. This saves time and labor and increases production."
One project
Not only is a lot of time and energy spent on developing the sensor, but careful handling of all collected data and ensuring privacy also require attention.
"Within OnePlanet, we work together with about a hundred employees. There are colleagues who deal with market research and business development, but also those who work on legislation, safety, and electronics. This means that together, we can conceive a product within a few years and actually bring it to market. That really is unique."
This testimonial previously appeared on TechGelderland.nl
Photo: Raphael Drent
I investigate how nerve cells stay healthy and communicate effectively with each other, focusing on processes that can go wrong in diseases such as Parkinson's.
- Nationality
- Dutch
- Programme
- Neurobiology
Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Marijn Kuijpers. I studied Biology and after completing the Master's programme in Neuroscience and Cognition, I obtained my PhD in Utrecht. Subsequently, I worked as a postdoc in Berlin for eight years. My interest lies in the field of molecular neuroscience. During my PhD and postdoc, I learned a great deal and studied various cellular processes, from protein transport and degradation to synaptic communication and molecular mechanisms of brain diseases. In 2022, I established my own laboratory in Nijmegen.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
The continuous development of techniques, such as microscopy, makes it possible to study the interior of cells, like nerve cells (neurons), with increasing precision. We can observe how specific proteins are produced, move within a cell and are broken down, and how these processes ensure that a nerve cell functions properly (or not!). I find it fascinating to watch these processes 'live' under a microscope. As a student, I loved that feeling of 'I'm the first person to see this'.
What is your current research focus?
I investigate how nerve cells stay healthy and communicate effectively with each other, focusing on processes that can go wrong in diseases such as Parkinson's. I particularly look at how proteins in nerve cells are broken down and recycled, a process that is crucial for neural connections to work smoothly. Additionally, I study a special part of the cell, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which plays an important role in protein production and transport. We try to understand how this system contributes to communication between nerve cells and what happens when this process is disrupted. The aim of my research is to gain more insight into how neurodegenerative diseases develop, so that we might be able to develop better treatments in the future.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Studying isn't just about acquiring knowledge, but also about growing as a person. You learn to handle freedom and responsibility. Don't be afraid to make choices. It's perfectly fine to change direction if you discover something that suits you better along the way.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
What I enjoy most about working with students is involving them in my research, both in my lectures and in practice. I like showing them how scientists work and actively involving them in the actual process. What I hope for and find wonderful is that they become passionate about research and develop the curiosity to ask questions and make discoveries themselves.
Understanding the interaction of sleep and our memory systems is what I find so fascinating.
- Nationality
- German/US
- Programme
- Neurobiology
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Lisa Genzel and I originally studied Medicine but now work in basic Neuroscience Research. I teach in the Biology Bachelor's and Master's (e.g. Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience Course) and supervise interns from a range of study backgrounds. I have been active for 20 years in my research field and 9 years here at Radboud University.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
I am trying to understand how we go from individual experiences to knowledge networks, especially the role sleep has to play in the process. Haven't you ever wondered why we spend 30% of our lives sleeping? Understanding the interaction of sleep and our memory systems is what I find so fascinating.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
We train rodents (and sometimes humans) to learn large environments and regularities therein. We combine this with molecular and electrophysiological methods (sometimes fMRI) to see how the brain learns and updates information.
What advice do you have for students making their study choice? And what is the best part of working with students?
Choose what makes you passionate and excited, then work and study can be a joy! To see students grow and gain resilience, confidence and skills is the best part of working with students for me.