infinite Beauty - Faculteit der Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Culinary chemistry with... after the announcement of professor meindert danhof winning the research achievement award in Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics & drug metabolism 2010, we couldn’t let the opportunity pass interviewing the professor. however, we thought, not only is it interesting to talk about his work, but also to get to know him a little bit better. With this in mind, we decided to interview him for our ‘culinary chemistry’ section. and that’s how, on a very warm and beautiful spring day, we went on our way to ‘Koetjes en Kalfjes’ in the Breestraat in leiden, where professor danhof was waiting for origin with a glass of cold beer. origin broke the ice by handing over a bouquet of flowers to our host for the evening. BY: sharina Chander & ValerY tJoenG Photo: shardul PariCharaK & arChiVe ‘KoetJes en KalfJes’ 8 Culinaire Chemie origin - universiteit leiden Professor meindert danhof None of us had actually been to this restaurant, so we were all curious about the menu. As his guests, Origin was given the choice between a two or three-course menu. We all decided upon a two-course meal, with the professor opting for ‘Black angus entrecote’ with a side dish of French fries, while Origin chose the vegetarian ‘Pasta di chef!’ and ‘Salmon in a lemon sauce’. Mouth-watering at the sight of the desert menu, professor Danhof admits he has a sweet tooth. Then we dove into professor Danhof’s life as a student. In high school, professor Danhof had a passion for math, physics and chemistry. His father urged him in combining the three subjects into a study with good job perspectives. His choice fell on Pharmacy at the University of Groningen, from which he graduated cum laude. As a student, he did not have any wild escapades. Instead, he embraced his talent of playing the viola and joined the orchestra, where he met his wife.
Professor Danhof obtained his PhD from Leiden University under the direction of professor D.D. Breimer. After coming back from a trip to USA, professor D.D. Breimer arranged a post-doc position for him. This was done in the old fashion way; by writing a letter and checking it several times before posting it. This is how he started his postdoctoral research with professor G. Levy, in the department of Pharmaceutics, State University of New York in Buffalo. Many years later, he is not only professor but also the director of the LACDR. Therefore we asked him about the expansion of the LACDR. “The LACDR has grown very fast, thanks to the growing number of students. Our goal is to get the whole faculty in the new tower. The ‘UFO part’ will stay, since it’s very nice to see and I think it’s a monument for Leiden.” As we were waiting for the main course, our person of interest received a work-related phone call. He excused himself for a minute. The professor explained that he is on call for a certain project, so for him the workday does not end when he goes home. He enjoys his work so much, that he does not mind this at all. The professor is very enthusiastic about planning a strategy and vision for the LACDR, especially since it has grown so much in a short time. He’s been the director of the LACDR for six years now and there have been so many interesting and exciting things crossing his path, that he doesn’t even miss working in the lab. Of course he is still involved in research, as head of the department of Pharmacology. “Over the years you grow into this work. My attention has shifted from research to more managerial tasks. I enjoy it all.” This becomes evident looking at his working hours: “I start the day at 7.30h, or at least try to, and go home about 18.30h.” However, the LACDR is not the only occupation for the professor; he has also founded LAP&P Consultants. Origin is interested as to why he created this company. “Now that’s a very interesting story. LAP&P Consultants is a company with 15-20 employees and is one of the biggest companies in this specific field. In my research ‘our goal is to get the whole faculty in the new tower, the ufo part will stay’ Koetjes en Kalfjes, photo by Shardul Paricharak time at the Leiden University, we were approached by a lot of companies for certain projects. This did not really fit with the University’s activities and so I founded a company that approaches these projects: “LAP&P Consultants”. Thanks to the diversity of the clients, there’s diversity in projects as well. This makes the company a good learning institute. Some people start here as a junior, after two years of work experience, they have the opportunity to do a promotion here.” The professor is also involved with the TIPharma. We wondered what the difference is between LAP&P Consultants and TIPharma, both situated in the Bio Science Park. “These are both very different institutions. TIPharma is a public private partnership, which promotes and sponsors collaboration between Universities and pharmaceutical companies. The government actually, for a great part, sponsors TIPharma. There are more than 50 running research programs, on which industrial and academic partners work together. I have a seat in the executive board of TIPharma, but I also have a large Culinaire Chemie origin - universiteit leiden 9
Page 1 and 2: Bio-Farmaceutische Wetenschappen |
Page 3 and 4: nieuws antibiotica gezocht! team le
Page 5 and 6: Waar gaat je voorkeur naar uit: in
Page 7: ‘it is the extremist who defines
Page 11 and 12: my thoughts.” He occasionally pla
Page 13 and 14: gulden snede te herkennen. Zij die
Page 15 and 16: van. Menselijke schoonheidskenmerke
Page 17 and 18: Het enige verschil is het niveau va
Page 19 and 20: Figure 1: The Louvre museum houses
Page 21 and 22: BY: roB Van WiJK & raChel elands Mu
Page 23 and 24: entific images with exceptional bea
Page 25 and 26: ’science is a scouting expedition
Page 27 and 28: experiment Luminol is in staat om z
Page 29 and 30: vervuiling en migratiebelemmeringen
Page 31 and 32: agenda maandag 5 september Opening

infinite Beauty - Faculteit der Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?