BiocatCode Expander Stories:
Beyond the Bench #6
Jan Hendrik
Science, Collaboration and the First Two Years of My PhD Journey
Hi everyone! I am Jan Hendrik, a PhD student in Amsterdam and part of the BiocatCodeExpander Consortium. Nearly two years have passed since I started this journey in July 2023, and it has been a time filled with science, collaboration, and quite a bit of travel.
Early on, I had the chance to contribute to a shared first-author review in Chemical Reviews with my colleague Emilia and a fantastic team from Groningen. Working on this comprehensive article provided a deep dive into the field and laid a solid foundation for my research ahead. More recently, we published an article in ChemBioChem, accepted in June 2025, which is directly connected to my PhD project. My work focuses on the biosynthesis and direct incorporation of non-canonical amino acids—a technically demanding area with exciting potential for real-world applications down the line.
A highlight of the past two years was a four-month research stay in Winnipeg, Canada, in the summer and early autumn of 2024. Together with Diego, I joined Prof. Ned Budisa’s lab, where I worked closely with Huy Luu, a PhD student in the group. Adapting to a new lab setting, exchanging techniques, learning about Genetic Code Expansion techniques, and approaching challenges from different angles was both a learning experience and a refreshing change of pace.
Outside the lab, I have been fortunate to present at several international conferences, including NextGenBioCat 2024 in Crete, the Protein Society’s annual meeting in Vancouver, and NextGenBioCat 2025 in Milan. These meetings have been great for sharing our work and getting feedback from a broader scientific community. I have also really valued the BiocatCodeExpander training weeks in Amsterdam, Graz, and Berlin—intensive but energising weeks of collaborative learning and exchange with other PhD students and PIs from across the consortium.
Living in Amsterdam has added a special dimension to this experience. The Dutch cycling culture makes commuting a pleasure, and being able to escape to the beach after work or on weekends brings a welcome balance. I have also come to enjoy the rhythm of life here—from lively discussions with colleagues over coffee (and the occasional stroopwafel) to the straightforward, open communication style that characterises Dutch research culture.
These past two years have gone by quickly, but they have been full of growth and discovery. I am looking forward to what comes next.
Until next time,
Jan Hendrik