OUR TEAM
LENNART SCHADA VON BORZYSKOWSKI
Assistant Professor
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Dr. Lennart Schada von Borzyskowski is an Assistant Professor in the Microbial Sciences Cluster at the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL). He obtained his PhD in the lab of Julia Vorholt at ETH Zürich (Switzerland) and subsequently worked as a postdoc with Tobias Erb at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg (Germany). His research combines the investigation of natural bacterial metabolism and the biological engineering of synthetic metabolism in order to understand the diversity of microbial biochemistry and apply it towards sustainable biotechnological approaches.
For more information, see his CV.
CAMILLO IACOMETTI
PhD student
Camillo Iacometti is a PhD student in the SvB lab since September 2021. His concern towards the environmental implications of human activity goes back to his BSc studies on the effect of organophosphate pollutants on coastal marine ecosystems. After learning the principles of metabolic engineering in the Bar-Even lab at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam (Germany), he decided to deepen his understanding of microbial metabolism and adaptation. In the SvB lab, Camillo is studying how to domesticate the metabolism of marine Alphaproteobacteria to harness their potential for future bio-geoengineering applications. For further information, see his CV.
MINRUI REN
PhD student
Minrui Ren is a PhD student in the SvB lab since September 2022. She has always been fascinated by the natural world. She is interested in enzyme engineering and in the combination of engineered enzymes with natural metabolism. Her BSc research topic was the production of 3-hydroxypropionate by engineering Klebsiella pneumoniae. After obtaining an MSc degree in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology from Leiden University, her PhD research focuses on the modification of enzymes and metabolic pathways in Alphaproteobacteria. For details, please see her CV.
BAS VAN WOUDENBERG
PhD student
Bas van Woudenberg joined the lab in March 2022 as a research technician after graduating from the MSc course Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology at Leiden University. In May 2023, he started his PhD project, focusing on the development of methylotrophic cell factories for the production of value-added chemicals from the C1 carbon source methanol.
He is mainly interested in how synthetic biology and metabolic engineering could contribute to tackling sustainability issues that society is facing today. Outside of the lab, Bas is supervising the Leiden iGEM team. In his free time he likes to travel, cook, and play board games with friends.
FLEUR ENGELTJES
MSc student
Fleur Engeltjes is a MSc student at Leiden University, specializing in molecular, cellular and organismal biology. Before going to Leiden she obtained a BSc degree in Biology at Utrecht University. She is currently working on biosensor development for the detection of phloroglucinol. Outside of working in the lab, Fleur likes to travel, bake and read.
WESSEL GILBERS
MSc student
Wessel Gilbers is a MSc student in Biology and Business studies at Leiden University. He graduated with a BSc in Biology in 2024, also from Leiden University. His key interests lie in the fields of biotechnology and microbiology, and he is currently working on investigating enzymes for the 6-aminohexanoate metabolism in Paracoccus denitrificans. His research aims to find innovative and sustainable solutions to combat plastic pollution. Outside the lab, Wessel likes spending time with friends, working out, watching football, and walking or biking through nature.
DANNY LY
MSc student
Danny Ly is a Biology student at Leiden University following the MSc specialization of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology. He is working on expanding the modular cloning kit for Alphaproteobacteria. Danny is motivated by the great potential that the field of microbial biotechnology can provide for a more sustainable society. Outside the lab, he likes to hang out with friends, watch movies, and play videogames.
RUIQI LI
MSc student
Ruiqi Li is a MSc student in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology at Leiden University. Since November 2024, he has been working on a project to enhance the catalytic activity of alcohol dehydrogenase. During his undergraduate studies in China, Ruiqi Li gained significant research experience in various scientific projects. Here, he developed a keen interest in bacterial studies, particularly in molecular and synthetic biology, enzyme engineering, and biotechnology. Outside of academic life, he enjoys playing badminton, working out at the gym, and exploring different cuisines by cooking a variety of dishes.
