Meet the team

Our research group is embedded within the Utrecht University Virology Section at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Together, we aim to understand viruses in detail, from their molecular biology to their ability to cross species barriers, and to translate that knowledge into vaccines, antiviral therapies, and diagnostic tools.

Within this environment, my team focuses on advancing the molecular understanding of viral diseases. We use cryo-electron microscopy (single-particle analysis and in situ cryo-electron tomography) combined with computational, biochemical and virological techniques to uncover how viruses function at the molecular level.

Below, you can meet our current team members, as well as the talented researchers, students, and technicians who have contributed to the team over the years.

Utrecht Virology Lab Away Day 2024

Current members

Post-Doctoral Researchers 

Dr. Robin Veenstra (2024-present)

PhD Candidates

Primary Supervisor

Meryl Haas (2022-present)

Tino Hoeksma (2025-present)

Secondary Supervisor

Bob Coelingh (2023-present)

Victor Pissabarro (2023-present)

Harry Libbey (2024-present)

Jelle Melchers (2024-present)

MSc Students

Simon Alkema (2025-present)

Eric Sala Solé (2025-present)

Lab Alumni

Post-Doctoral Researchers 

Dr. Oliver Debski-Antoniak (2021-2025)

Dr. Preeti Hooda (2023-2025)

Research Technicians

Hatice Ozhan (2023-2025)

Marianthi Hadjiandreou (2021-2023)

Tim Donselaar (2021-2023)

MSc Students

Judith Ahr (2024-2025)

Sam Peppard (2023-2025)

Stefan Kopecky (2023-2024)

Henrietta Hóf (2023)

Sypke van Terwisga (2022)

Victor Pisabarro (2022)

BSc Students

Anouk Maas (2025)

Tessa Brafine (2025)

Anne-Sophie Ewijk (2024-2025)

Andressa Pelster José (2024)

Bram Timmermans (2024)

Coco Niemel (2023-2024)

Rieneke Wonink (2022)