Team | WageningenUR

Johannes Heisterberg

Team Captain

I am Johannes, a 23-year-old biotech student from Germany. As team captain, I try to organize and help my teammates as much as possible. I consider myself a perfectionist – nothing scares me more than insufficiently labeled eppies and tubes. I love SynBio and think that it has some impactful tools to change the world for the better. When I am off duty, you can find me either baking or already consuming my creations!

Simon Hendriks

Human Outreach Manager

Hi, my name is Simon, I am 24 and I come from the Netherlands. I am pursuing a dual Master's degree in Cellular & Molecular Biotechnology and Environmental & Biobased Biotechnology. I like to put the human and realistic perspective into SynBio, as it has great potential in many fields. I believe that clear communication is vital, therefore, getting in touch with our stakeholders and managing the human outreach part of our project was right up my alley. That is why I chose to become Head of Human Practices. Apart from iGEM, I spend most of my time (kick-)boxing, reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends.

Nico van Donk

Treasurer

Hi, I am Nico, a 22-year-old from Spain, currently pursuing a master's degree in Medical Biotechnology. My knack for numbers comes in handy as I serve as the treasurer, meticulously tracking all expenses and sponsorships for our team. I have always been passionate about human practices and eagerly looked forward to joining iGEM since my first year of undergraduate studies. Beyond the lab, you will often find me biking and running, or simply hanging out with friends and enjoying good music.

Agata Wieremiejczuk

Secretary

Hey, my name is Agata, I am 24, and I come from Poland. Currently, I'm pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental & Biobased Biotechnology. Within our team, I handle the email correspondence from our numerous stakeholders as the secretary. While iGEM can be challenging, the motivation to solve real-life problems with synthetic biology keeps me going. I balance the iGEM workload by doing various sports, from biking and yoga to tennis, and occasionally enjoying a series marathon for some relaxation.

Lorenzo Saraiva

Lab Safety Manager

Hi, I'm Enzo :). I'm 22 years-old and represent Portugal in our international iGEM team! My roles as Lab Safety Manager and a member of the design team have been a constant blend between creative structure and creative chaos - I will let you guess which one’s which. I have always been fascinated by SynBio. I like to describe it as being a world full of mix-and-match possibilities, that is just waiting for our “not so crazy” idea.

Zhongyuan Lu

Design Manager

I am Zhongyuan, aged 23, originating from China, and currently enrolled in the MSc Cellular & Molecular Biotechnology program. I serve as the head of the design team, responsible for orchestrating the design aspects of our wiki and visual materials. My fascination with synthetic biology is driven by its immense potential to address complex real-world challenges. In my free time, I enjoy drinking Chinese tea, playing badminton, and listening to music.

Bas Lipsch

Wiki Manager

Hi, my name is Bas. I am a 25 year old Dutch Master's student in Biotechnology specializing in Bioprocess Engineering. As part of the design team, I am the person responsible for wiki development. iGEM is challenging but I like challenges – so that’s fine by me.

Bartlomiej Szeptycki

Social Media

I am Bartek, I am 23, and I come from Poland. Currently, I am on the verge of completing my Master's program in Cellular & Molecular Biotechnology. I wear the hat of the Social Media Manager, ensuring that we keep the world updated on our exciting iGEM journey and maintain our visibility. I think SynBio is truly amazing and offers a fresh perspective on my long-standing passion for biology. However, since you cannot do SynBio all the time, I also find joy in playinh the guitar, saxophone, ukulele, and occasionally, the drums.