Building the future of regenerative medicine together: “We want to help students find their own path”

A new chapter for RMT: with the first students having just started, new coordinators Merle Krebber and Jaqueline Rios share how they’ve experienced it so far and what they hope to achieve for the program and its students. One thing is clear: they’re making it personal. 

When Merle Krebber and Jaqueline Rios welcomed the first students of the Regenerative Medicine and Technology (RMT) master’s program this September, it was a special moment. As the new coordinators, they are setting the tone for a new generation of scientists.

We want to make RMT personalized and interdisciplinary

Merle and Jaqueline are following in the footsteps of Debby Gawlitta, who is now director of the PhD program. “Debby built a strong foundation for the RMT master’s program. We’re happy to take over the role as coordinators together”, say Merle and Jaqueline with a smile. “The students are super motivated, and we worked on being visible during their first period in Utrecht. They now know where and how to finds us, that feels very fulfilling.”

Both Jaqueline and Merle took on the position earlier this year, but only under the condition that they could do it together. “From day one, we emphasized the advantages of having two coordinators”, said Jaqueline. “We both have different expertise and experience, and we really complement each other. As collaboration is the hallmark of regenerative medicine research, it was a logical step.” 

We cover a broader field and that makes us stronger

Two perspectives, one vision

The RMT master’s program combines biomedical science, engineering, and clinical applications focused on developing new therapies that help the body repair itself. Jaqueline’s background in orthopedics and Merle’s in nephrology research bring two different angles to the field. “Even in research, we come from very different worlds”, says Jaqueline. “And in education too. Merle was trained in the Netherlands, and I wasn’t. So she has experience everything Dutch-wise, and I have experience international-wise. Together, we cover a broader field and that makes us stronger.”

Their shared vision is clear: a personal, connected, and supportive program. “We want to make RMT even more personalized and interdisciplinary”, Merle explains. “Many students feel overwhelmed by all the choices: which courses to take, which internships to choose. We want to help them find their own path and make sure they are supported through mentoring, offering access to group leaders, and more interdisciplinary collaborations.”

A program that grows with its students

A big part of that vision is mentorship. From November onwards, the coordinators are introducing open office hours twice a month, giving students a place to talk about studies or anything else. “And not here”, says Merle. “Somewhere neutral, with coffee or tea. A place where students can just walk in.” Jaqueline adds, “That’s what’s most important. If students have a problem they can come to either one of us. It keeps things open and objective.” Merle: “We want students to feel supported in their choices throughout the program.”

They also want to ensure internships are meaningful for both students and supervisors. “We helped facilitate a pilot workshop from the GSLS before the research internships started”, Jaqueline explains. “It helps students and supervisors talk about expectations early on. These are things like feedback, communication, and what kind of guidance they need.”

Beyond the workshop, Merle and Jaqueline also have a broader vision for the program: “We want to tailor the program not only for the students but also for the teachers and supervisors, because they are the ones educating. We want to include their needs as well.”
 

We want students to come out of the master confident in what they want to do

Connecting Utrecht and Eindhoven

The duo also aims to strengthen collaboration between Utrecht and Eindhoven, which together form the RMT program. “Right now, students meet each other mainly during the first ten-week introduction course”, Merle explains. “After that, it becomes more separate. We want to make that connection more meaningful and lasting, not just ‘you go there, learn something, and leave.’”

They hope to see more joint projects that benefit both universities and even international partners. “We want to make it easier for students to do research abroad and feel supported when they do”, says Jaqueline.

Guiding students beyond the lab

For both coordinators, the most exciting part of this year was seeing students choose their first research projects. “That moment when they pick their direction after so many options, find their supervisor, and start in the lab – that’s when everything becomes real”, Merle says.

But their guidance goes beyond research. “We want students to come out of the master confident in what they want to do”, Merle explains. “Whether that’s a PhD, working in industry, or something completely different, as long as they feel prepared.”

Jaqueline nods. “We want them to become independent researchers, to be ready to go to the job market, independent of the profile they choose. And we will guide them in that.”

It gives us energy to see students doing well and finding their spark

Shaping the future

“We want to help shape the future”, says Jaqueline. Merle adds, “We try to see the students as often as we can, because we want to be actively involved. It gives us energy to see students doing well and finding their spark”

Together, they embody what they hope to teach. “We communicate well, share tasks, and resolve disagreements together. It feels very natural to us”, Jaqueline says. Merle adds: “we should not forget that as coordinators and researchers, we also serve as role models. We embody international collaboration. If we speak each other’s languages and show that we can align, students will see that it’s possible.”

Though the work can be demanding, both agree the rewards outweigh the effort. “We’re really happy in this role. It’s not the honeymoon phase anymore”, Merle says with a grin. “We see the struggles, in the system and with the students, but the reward is so much bigger. There’s still so much we can do.”

Welcoming the first cohort

The first group of 25 students recently began their journey in Utrecht. Merle: “It’s a nice mix of people, from the Netherlands and abroad, and small enough to form a real community. I’m really excited for this year.”