Jane Pauline Ramirez is a PhD candidate at Delft University of Technology. Jane specialises in bionics/biology-inspired engineering, robotics and artificial intelligence, with applications in environmental management, social services and international development. Jane possesses highly specialised and valuable expertise in the field of bio-inspired robotics. She is keen to apply this to develop innovative solutions for environmental management and societal challenges. Her work at Delft University of Technology, alongside 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 of natural disasters and her determination to bring about positive change. She is looking forward to working with inspiring people and making a long-term impact.
Researcher Daniela Garcia-Caro Briceno feels completely at home in the world of agroecology, EU food legislation and sustainability transitions. Daniela joined us after taking part in Thrive’s PhD Career Swifters Programme at Erasmus University Rotterdam. This programme helped her discover the kind of social impact she wants to make after completing her PhD. Her passion for bridging the gap between sustainable food systems, science and policy made her decision to join the Purpose Accelerator Programme a no-brainer. With an MSc in Sustainable Development from Uppsala University and a specialised master’s degree in Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, Urban Ecology and Rural Development from the University of La Laguna, Daniela has an impressive academic background. She is currently working as a PhD researcher at the Initiative on the Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity at Erasmus University Rotterdam, where she is investigating the role of legislation in agroecological transitions.
Daniela brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to interdisciplinary work, acting as a bridge between different stakeholders and fields. Her expertise encompasses systems theory, transition studies and sustainability discourse. She is also actively involved in local community projects, such as the Biobulkbende food co-operative, where she works as a working group coordinator. She is very much looking forward to taking part in the programme. She hopes to learn how to share her ideas and knowledge effectively with other change agents and wider society. Her aim? To contribute to positive social change through effective communication and collaboration.
Ugochukwu Orji uses AI and data science to tackle climate change. He discovered our programme through Tilburg University’s TSHD. His PhD research focuses on AI and data science for energy forecasting and renewable energy. Collaboration with the Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN) offers him the opportunity to further deepen his knowledge. With a background in computer science and data science, and experience as an energy analyst at an energy distribution company, Ugochukwu brings valuable expertise in the fields of energy forecasting and renewable energy.
He expects the programme to strengthen his skills as a knowledge broker—translating complex scientific insights into actionable information for policymakers and the community. He also wants to learn how to better influence the public debate on climate change, particularly within the energy sector. Ugochukwu is looking forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals and experts. He hopes to improve his communication skills and policy insight so that he can contribute more effectively to climate initiatives.
Maksim Sitniko is a passionate researcher who applies his knowledge of organisational and management studies to tackle climate change. Maksim joined our programme because of its focus on the impact of research in his field. His PhD research examines the dynamics of time within inter-organisational relationships, with a particular focus on the trading behaviour of companies in the EU Emissions Trading System. Although his work has great practical potential, he found it difficult to translate empirical findings into practical applications. That is why he joined the Thrive Institute and the Purpose Accelerator Programme, where he can tackle this challenge and be actively involved in social issues, particularly climate change. Maksim’s academic journey began at Tilburg University, where he obtained a BSc in Global Management of Social Issues. He then completed a Research Master’s in Social and Behavioural Sciences, specialising in Organisation Studies. He is now a PhD candidate and junior lecturer.
He expects the programme to offer him a holistic growth experience, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, policy-making and improving his skills as a knowledge broker. Maksim is looking forward to translating his research findings into actionable insights for policymakers and society, and to expanding his network beyond the academic world. He aims to collaborate with like-minded individuals and step outside his comfort zone. He strives for impactful results 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 came to us thanks to an email from the Utrecht PhD Network (PrOUt), where she herself sits on the board. Despite the tight deadline, she was so enthusiastic about the programme that she wrote a cover letter within a few hours. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Earth Sciences (Utrecht University), a minor in Science Communication (VU Amsterdam), and experience in sustainability consultancy and as co-founder of Fungi Factory, Martha has an impressive background. Her PhD research focuses on developing a new method for palaeomagnetism, which requires a great deal of pioneering work, experimentation and collaboration. Thanks to her knowledge of geosciences, Martha is able to assess whether international initiatives are suitable for the Netherlands. Furthermore, through her upbringing and her own projects, she has learnt a great deal about sustainable living. Her concerns about the future of our planet drive her to continually seek out information on climate change and its impact on the Netherlands.
Martha hopes to learn a great deal about the complexities of implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. She aims to emerge from the programme with a more optimistic outlook on a climate-resilient future for the Netherlands and a better understanding of the long-term political and practical challenges. What Martha is most looking forward to is collaborating with people from different disciplines on complex problems. She is keen to learn from others and work 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 the Utrecht PhD Network (PROUT) and quickly wrote a letter of motivation on the very day the deadline fell. Since graduating as a vet in 2021, Rianna has worked as a clinical vet for pets in Rotterdam. After just six months, she began her PhD research into reducing antimicrobial use and resistance on poultry farms in Indonesia. Her Indonesian background and interest in the ‘One Health’ concept made this a logical choice. During her PhD, Rianna also completed a Master’s in epidemiology and a course in qualitative mixed-methods studies.
Through her work as a vet, Rianna has learnt to explain complex medical information in simple terms to pet owners. During her PhD, she learnt to look at problems from multiple angles and to be mindful of biases. Her experience with various stakeholders, such as government officials, NGOs, pharmaceutical companies and farmers, has made her aware of cultural differences and how to navigate them. Rianna hopes the programme will challenge her and that she can learn a great deal from her fellow participants. She aims to contribute to a climate-neutral society through her work for the Netherlands Climate Institute over the next five months. What is Rianna most looking forward to? Meeting inspiring people and exchanging ideas!
Finally: Ravi Ramesh, an enthusiastic researcher with a passion for mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering. Ravi discovered our programme via LinkedIn and was immediately sold on the idea. THRIVE’s mission fits seamlessly with his dream of contributing to the fight against global warming. Ravi is currently working on his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Delft University of Technology. His academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in India, followed by a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. He aims to tackle climate issues using his extensive knowledge. In the Netherlands, Ravi has gained considerable experience as a knowledge broker, sharing information on accommodation, university regulations and government guidelines with his fellow students. This experience, combined with his scientific background, makes him a valuable asset to the THRIVE programme.
Through the programme, Ravi hopes to work on real-world climate issues and policy-making. He sees THRIVE as the ideal platform to channel his enthusiasm for weather patterns and fluid dynamics. He can’t wait to put his knowledge into practice and further develop his expertise in policy-making. What is Ravi most looking forward to? Collaborating with people from diverse disciplines. He has already met participants from the fields of economics, law and healthcare, and is looking forward to working together on solutions to complex climate problems.
The launch of the THRIVE Purpose Accelerator programme marks the start of an inspiring journey for these seven PhD candidates, who aim to translate their scientific knowledge into tangible social impact. With their diverse expertise – ranging from robotics to agroecology – and their shared determination to tackle climate challenges, they form a powerful network. Driven by their shared goal, these ‘knowledge brokers’ are working towards a more sustainable society for the long term.
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