Current members

Benjamin Planterose Jiménez [post-doc] is modeling cellular fate decision making in the postembryonic M lineage of C. elegans by fitting dynamical system models with experimental omics data. With a wide international academic experience (Spain, UK, Switzerland and Netherlands) and originally trained as an experimental biochemist, he specialized in computational biology, bioinformatics and biostatistics during his PhD (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam), with a focus on human epigenomics. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing a variety of musical instruments and jamming with other musicians. Benjamin is co-supervised by the Tsingos and Ten Tusscher groups.

Saber Shakibi [post-doc] is modelling cellular migration via a hybrid model of cell and extracellular matrix. He uses a combination of cellular Potts and bead-spring models to study cell migration in the presence of the extracellular matrix. Originally trained as a structural engineer, he specializes in multiscale modelling and computational material science in mechanobiology with a specific focus on cancer.

Bidayatul Masulah [Master student] is a student of Applied Mathematics at Leiden University who is doing her Master's internship in the group. She is developing a particle-based model of thymic epithelial cell morphology to study how the structure of the thymus develops.

Nikki Landzaat [Master student] has a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences and also studied at Utrecht University. Previously, she looked into the performance and and potential of foundation models in genomics at the Ridder Lab. For her internship, she'll be developing mathematical models to study how cells in the C. elegans mesoderm transition between different states, using dynamical systems and differential equations to understand the underlying mechanisms of cell cycle regulation. In her spare time she's mostly in the gym doing gymnastics or crossfit. She also likes going to the woods with her care horse.

Heleen van Osch [Bachelor student] is modeling microvillus development in C.elegans as part of her bachelor research project. Her previous education consists mostly of theoretical and developmental biology, she is excited to pursue a project combining those fields. In her personal life, she enjoys playing (board)games, reading and more artistic endeavours like drawing or painting.