On May 8, the THRIVE Purpose Accelerator programme launched—an initiative specifically designed to support PhD candidates in applying their expertise to the mission of the KIN. This research is being conducted by seven talented PhD candidates, referred to as “knowledge brokers,” in partnership with THRIVE Institute. This summer, we introduced each of them individually on our LinkedIn channel, and now we gather all these introductions into one blog.
Jane Pauline Ramirez is a PhD candidate at TU Delft, specialising in bionics/biology-inspired engineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence, with applications in environmental management, social services, and international development. Jane has valuable knowledge in biologically inspired robotics, which she is eager to apply in developing innovative solutions for environmental management and societal challenges. Her work at TU Delft and her previous studies and research in Italy, Switzerland, and Japan make her a valuable addition to the THRIVE programme.
Jane’s motivation for joining the programme stems from her personal experiences with natural disasters and her determination to bring about positive change. She looks forward to collaborating with inspiring people and making a long-term impact.
Daniela Garcia-Caro Briceno is specialised in agroecology, EU food legislation, and sustainability transitions. She joined us after participating in the PhD Career Swifters Programme at Erasmus University Rotterdam. This programme helped her discover what social impact she wants to make after her PhD. Her passion for bridging sustainable food systems, science, and policy made the Purpose Accelerator Programme an obvious choice. With an MSc in Sustainable Development from Uppsala University and a specialised master’s in Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, Urban Ecology, and Rural Development from Universidad de La Laguna, Daniela has an impressive academic background. She currently works as a PhD researcher at Erasmus University’s Initiative on the Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity, focusing on the role of legislation in agroecological transitions.
Daniela brings a wealth of interdisciplinary knowledge, translating information across various fields and stakeholders. Her expertise covers systems theories, transition sciences, and sustainability discourse. Next to this, she is actively involved in local community projects, like the Biobulkbende food cooperative, where she serves as a working group coordinator. Daniela is eager to learn how to effectively share her insights with other change agents and society at large, with the goal of contributing to positive societal transformations through effective communication and collaboration.
Ugochukwu Orji leverages AI and data science to tackle climate change. He discovered our programme through Tilburg University TSHD. His doctoral research focuses on AI and data science for energy forecasting and renewable energy. Collaboration with the Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN) provides him the opportunity to deepen his expertise. With a background in computer science and data science and experience as an energy analyst at a power distribution company, Ugochukwu brings valuable knowledge in energy forecasting and renewable energy.
He expects the programme to enhance his skills as a knowledge broker—translating complex scientific insights into actionable information for policymakers and the community. He also aims to learn how to influence public discussions on climate change, especially within the energy sector. Ugochukwu looks forward to working with like-minded individuals and experts, hoping to refine his communication skills and policy knowledge in order to more effectively contribute to climate initiatives.
Maksim Sitniko is a passionate researcher applying his expertise in organisational and management studies to address climate change. Maksim joined our programme for its focus on impact-driven research in his field. His PhD research examines the dynamics of time within interorganisational relations, particularly in the trading behaviour of companies within the EU Emission Trading System. While his work holds significant practical potential, he found it challenging to translate empirical findings into practical applications. He joined the Thrive Institute and the Purpose Accelerator Programme to tackle this challenge and engage actively in societal issues, especially climate change. Maksim’s academic journey began at Tilburg University, where he earned a BSc in Global Management of Social Issues, followed by a Research Master in Social and Behavioural Sciences, specialising in Organisation Studies. He is now a PhD candidate and junior lecturer.
He expects the programme to provide a holistic growth experience focused on interdisciplinary collaboration, policy development, and enhancing his skills as a knowledge broker. Maksim is excited to transform his research findings into usable insights for policymakers and society and to broaden his network beyond academia. He seeks impactful outcomes that contribute to KIN’s mission and the transition to a climate-neutral world.
Martha Kosters is an enthusiastic researcher with a passion for geosciences and sustainability. Martha found out about us through an email from Utrecht’s PhD network (PrOUt), where she’s on the board. Despite the tight deadline, she was so excited about the programme that she wrote a motivation letter within a few hours. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Earth Sciences (UU), a minor in Science Communication (VU Amsterdam), and experience in sustainable consulting and as a co-founder of Fungi Factory, Martha has an impressive background. Her PhD research focuses on developing a new paleomagnetism method, requiring pioneering work, experimentation, and collaboration. With her geoscience expertise, Martha can assess the suitability of international initiatives for the Netherlands. Her upbringing and personal projects have taught her much about sustainable living. Her concerns about the planet’s future drive her to constantly seek information on climate change and its impact on the Netherlands.
Martha hopes to gain insight into the complexities of implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. She wants to leave the programme with a more optimistic outlook on a climate-resilient future for the Netherlands and a better understanding of the political and practical challenges involved. What Martha anticipates most is collaborating with people from various disciplines on complex issues. She looks forward to learning from others and working together on solutions for a sustainable future.
Rianna Anwar Sani is a researcher with a background in veterinary medicine and antimicrobial resistance. Rianna discovered the programme through Utrecht’s PhD network (PROUT) and quickly submitted a motivation letter on the deadline day. Since graduating as a veterinarian in 2021, Rianna has worked as a clinical veterinarian in Rotterdam. Within six months, she began PhD research on reducing antimicrobial use and resistance on poultry farms in Indonesia. Her Indonesian heritage and interest in the “One Health” concept made this a natural choice. During her PhD, Rianna also completed a master’s in epidemiology and a course in qualitative mixed-method studies.
Her work as a veterinarian taught her to explain complex medical information to pet owners in simple terms. During her PhD, she learned to view problems from multiple perspectives and consider biases. Her experience with various stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, pharmaceutical companies, and farmers, made her aware of cultural differences and how to navigate them. Rianna hopes the programme will challenge her and that she can learn a lot from her fellow participants. She aims to contribute to a climate-neutral society through her work for the Climate Institute Netherlands (KIN) over the next five months. What Rianna most looks forward to is meeting inspiring people and exchanging ideas!
Finally, Ravi Ramesh, a passionate researcher in mechanical and aerospace engineering, learned about our programme via LinkedIn and was immediately drawn to it. THRIVE’s mission aligns perfectly with his dream of contributing to the fight against global warming. Ravi is currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft. His academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in India, followed by a master’s in Aerospace Engineering. He wants to tackle climate issues with his broad expertise. In the Netherlands, Ravi has gained experience as a knowledge broker, sharing information about housing, university regulations, and government policies with his fellow students. This experience, along with his scientific background, makes him a valuable asset to the THRIVE programme.
Ravi hopes to engage with real climate issues and policy development through the programme. He sees THRIVE as the ideal platform to apply his enthusiasm for weather patterns and fluid dynamics. He can’t wait to put his knowledge into practice and expand his expertise in policy-making. Ravi can’t wait to collaborate with people from diverse fields. He has already met participants from economics, law, and healthcare and looks forward to working together on solutions to complex climate problems.
The start of the THRIVE Purpose Accelerator programme marks the beginning of an inspiring journey for these seven PhD candidates as they seek to translate their scientific knowledge into tangible societal impact. With their diverse expertise—from robotics to agroecology—and a shared determination to address climate challenges, they form a powerful network. Driven by a common goal, these “knowledge brokers” are working towards a more sustainable society for the long term.
Want to learn more about the THRIVE programme? Visit our website:
