Niek Stassen (N.)

Niek earned his Bachelor's in Biomedical Sciences in 2022 and a Master’s in 2024, both from Maastricht University. During his master’s internship at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine  and the Department of Toxicogenomics, he studied mesoporous silica nanoparticles to block mutant mitochondrial DNA replication in myogenic stem cells. This work inspired his passion for nano-biomaterials and stem cells in treating genetic diseases. In September 2024, Niek began a PhD, focusing on genetic correction of mutant stem cells, exploring silica nanoparticles for biomolecule delivery, aiming to  advance therapies for mitochondrial diseases and osteosarcoma.