Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which infect numerous animal species. Their potential to crossover from animal hosts to humans poses a threat to global health and economy as most recently demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As a PhD candidate in the group of Berend-Jan Bosch at the section of virology, Jelle studies how we may improve pandemic preparedness to respond to the future outbreak of zoonotic coronaviruses. His research focuses on the design of improved coronavirus vaccines which contain the viral spike protein as an antigen. By increased understanding of the mechanism by which coronavirus spike proteins engage host receptors and drive fusion of the viral and host membranes, we hope to develop effective countermeasures to combat coronavirus infections.