D.W.M. Hofman (Diana) MSc

Since February 2024, I have been a Ph.D. candidate at the Animal Physiology Group of Radboud University, focusing on the effects of endocrine disruptive compounds (EDCs) on zebrafish bone development. EDCs, found in the environment due to pollution and sewage waste, can alter hormone function. Given the significance of the skeleton for fish, my research investigates the impact of these compounds on fish skeletal development, aiming to provide insights into the effects of human waste on aquatic organisms in nature.

Prior to my Ph.D., I earned my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biology at Wageningen University, specializing in developmental (neuro)biology, animal behavior, and functional morphology. My background includes three research projects, with the first involving the creation of a behavioral assay for planaria at the Experimental Zoology Group in Wageningen. The second project focused on developing an RNA interference protocol to silence a memory-related gene in crickets at the Entomology Group in Wageningen. The third project, conducted at the Alemany Group in Leiden, explored the function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in gastruloids (organoids that mimic gastrulation).

These diverse projects serve as a foundation for my Ph.D. work, where I will integrate behavioral analysis and molecular techniques to unravel the function of EDCs on fish skeletal development.