#ResearcherSanne
Sanne takes you through her week as a Research Assistant at Iribov!
Hi! I'm Sanne, a Research Assistant at Iribov. Welcome to my lab! From pipetting to analysing plants, no two days are ever the same. And that's exactly what makes my job so much fun.
From internship to dream job
During my studies in Biology & Medical Laboratory Research in Groningen, I completed my internship at Iribov. It didn't take long before I realised: this is where I want to stay. And guess what? I did!
Today, I work full-time in the lab, contributing to innovative plant research. Every day, I help develop stronger, healthier plants. What do I enjoy most about it?
"I love that my work in the lab requires precision, but that the results literally grow. You can actually see the impact of what you do."
Lab work with impact
What I do may sound technical—and it is—but the best part is that you're genuinely contributing to something meaningful. Through my work, I help develop plants that are more resistant to diseases and better prepared for climate change.
I play a role in developing embryo rescue methods—a technique that allows us to grow the very first tiny plant, the embryo inside the seed, into a fully healthy plant in the lab.
Sometimes, a plant embryo is unable to develop into a healthy plant on its own, especially after difficult crosses between two different species. With embryo rescue, we give that tiny embryo a helping hand in the lab—much like an incubator—so it can still develop into a strong and healthy plant.
Work is also being carried out in the climate chamber to develop the best method for producing doubled haploid peppers 🌶️.
Innovation at every stage of a plant's life!
Working in a close-knit team
What makes my job even more enjoyable? My colleagues. At Iribov, there's a great atmosphere. We laugh a lot, support one another and end the week with a cosy Friday lunch together. It may sound simple, but it's these moments that make work even more rewarding.
I've really grown here—from being an intern to becoming a valued member of the team. And I'm still learning something new every single day.