Utrecht, The Netherlands 🇳🇱 (Dutch Nationality)
Age: 28
PhD Candidate @ Utrecht University
Research Data Scientist @ ASReview
Detailed online CV
Contact Information
Summary
PhD candidate in applied data science, (explainable) machine learning, natural language processing, and AI-driven support systems. My research focuses on optimizing decision-making tasks using data-driven simulation studies and active learning techniques. I'm motivated to use my academic knowledge for meaningful purposes, working on societal challenges and contributing to solutions that positively impact society. I believe the primary task of a data scientist is to understand real-world problems and formulate these into data-driven problems, and subsequently provide practical, understandable solutions.
Current PhD Research
My PhD research is part of the ASReview project, a machine learning tool that accelerates systematic literature reviews, cutting months off research time. My role involves managing research data, developing and testing machine learning models, and building the simulation platform for evaluation. My research directly led to significant performance improvements in a tool with 580K+ downloads worldwide. I also focus on explainable AI methods to translate complex model outcomes into transparent, understandable insights.
Tech Stack
- Machine Learning: TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch, Polars, NLP, Active Learning, Explainable AI
- Data Science & Simulations: Python based large-scale simulation studies (actively developing and maintaining simulation tools for asreview)
- Software & Cloud Infrastructure: Docker (extensive experience hosting Docker environments), Kubernetes, Exoscale Cloud (open-source AWS alternative), S3
- Programming: Python, Git, R, comfortable working in Linux-based environments and CLI workflows
Experience
- Research Data Scientist, ASReview (2021 – Present)
- PhD Candidate, Utrecht University (January 2022 – December 2025)
- Guest Lecturer, De Nederlandsche Bank, European Central Bank, University of Oxford, North-West University
- AI Workshop Host, Kickstart AI
- Teaching Assistant, "Data Wrangling" Master's course, Applied Data Science
- Mentor, Supervised 10+ Master's students on Data Science thesis projects
Education
- PhD in Applied Data Science, Utrecht University (Ongoing)
- Master’s Degree in Applied Data Science, Utrecht University (Cum Laude, 2020 - 2021)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Information Science, Utrecht University (2016 - 2020)
- Rowing - High Level Sports Sabbatical Year (2017), Men's Eight team @ A.U.S.R. ORCA
Publications
- Accepted Research Paper, 2025, Large-Scale Simulation Study of Active Learning Models for Systematic Reviews, International Journal of Data Science and Analytics
- Under Review, minor revision 2024, Simulation-based Active Learning for Systematic Reviews: A Scoping Review of the Literature, Journal of Information Science
- Software Research Paper 2024, ASReview Makita, Software Impacts
- Research Paper 2023, Active learning-based systematic reviewing using switching classification models, Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics
Work Projects
- ASReview Makita: A tool with over 30k downloads, designed to streamline large-scale simulation studies for systematic reviews. Used by, among others, the RIVM.
- Synergy Simulations: Platform developed for analyzing and visualizing simulation results from active learning experiments.
Hobbies & Free Time Projects
- Stable Diffusion & AI: Personal project using SDXL and FLUX, leveraging ComfyUI for advanced diffusion image generation, and hosting / finetuning LLM's.
- Self-Hosted Server Cluster: Distributed Docker Compose infrastructure for self-hosted LLM platforms, enterprise-level monitoring, security, and domotica.
- Electronics & 3D Printing: Passionate hobbyist in electronics, microcontrollers, and proficient with 3D printing and design.
- Reading: I like to read, especially science fiction, from authors such as Kurt Vonnegut, Isaac Asimov, Dan Simmons.
Awards and Grants
- Hofvijverkring Fellowship Grant, awarded to support international collaboration and conference visits during my PhD.
- OCRE Grant, for cloud-based simulation studies using Exoscale.
- AIVD Kerstpuzzel 2020, Algemene Inlichtingen- en Veiligheidsdienst (AIVD) & Nationaal Bureau voor Verbindingsbeveiliging (NBV): achieved shared 32nd place (team effort with Charles Meijer).
Invited Talks & Workshops
- De Nederlandsche Bank & European Central Bank on safe experimentation with large language models
- University of Oxford on AI and systematic reviews
- North-West University on the impact of AI and GPT models
- Kickstart AI Data Science workshop on large-scale simulation studies
- ValueBlue on the implementation of (generative) AI solutions.