We Hosted Students and Professors from the Netherlands at Our Faculty!

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming students from the Life Science and Technology program, offered by Leiden University and Delft University of Technology, alongside their professors: Dr Reuben Leveson-Gower and Dr Shitha Korachamkandy.
It was an inspiring visit filled with enthusiasm and valuable insights! The event provided an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange, and we were thrilled to engage in meaningful discussions with the professors and students about the exciting world of biotechnology and applied science.
Below, you’ll find a photo gallery from the event!

Study:

Life Science and Technology (LST), is a unique program that combines cell biology with applied biotechnology. The study is offered by Leiden University and Delft University of Technology, giving students the best of both worlds: Leiden’s focus on fundamental science and Delft’s emphasis on practical technology. LST prepares students to work at the crossroads of biology, technology, and medicine, shaping the future of biotech and healthcare.

Study association:

S.V. LIFE is the student’s association for LST students. We organize care events such as company visits, job fairs, and study trips abroad, along with social activities such as weekly drinks, parties, and sports events.

First professor: PI Dr. Reuben Leveson-Gowe

The research group of PI Dr. Reuben Leveson-Gower aims to create enzymes for tackling new chemical challenges, taking inspiration from both synthetic chemistry and nature. By drawing parallels between chemical catalysts and biocatalysts, we unlock for the full potential that enzymes have to offer. Through protein engineering, we evolve enzymes for reactions that are essential for modern society yet are not found in nature, exploring sequence-function space into previously unexplored relms. In doing so, we contribute both to a greener future for the chemical industry and a deeper understanding of enzyme catalysis. In our research we rely on many experimental techniques including: analytical and synthetic chemistry; protein engineering and directed evolution; (computational) mechanistic enzymology and bioinformatics.

Second professors: Dr. S.V. Korachamkandy Ph.D.

Works in the catalysis and surface chemistry group to work with heterogenous catalysis using a reactorSTM. I mainly study Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on model catalysts using operando STM at industrially relevant conditions, in Prof. Irene M.N. Groot’s group. With the operando STM, we can observe the reaction mechanisms under realistic conditions on a catalyst. I am also using additional techniques under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy or Auger electron spectroscopy, and low energy electron diffraction. Our group mainly focuses on industrial processes related to sustainable energy and materials production.