Dr. Sabina van der Zanden
I have a background in molecular cell biology and completed my PhD in 2021 in the group of Jacques Neefjes. Following my PhD, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher and later as senior scientist at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), where I focused on the development of anti-cancer drugs, with a particular interest in anthracyclines. During this period, I contributed to both fundamental and clinical research. After several years in research, I developed an interest in project management.
For two and a half years, I worked as Project Manager for the NWO Gravitation Program Institute for Chemical Immunology (ICI). In this role, I coordinated consortium-wide infrastructure, organized conferences and courses, supported the Executive Board, and facilitated collaboration among a diverse range of scientific partners.
Since July 1, 2025, I have been part of iCNS as Senior Project Manager, supporting the coordination and management of the consortium and its multidisciplinary research activities. I aim to create the conditions for successful collaboration and to advance iCNS research at the interface of chemistry and neuroscience. My responsibilities include coordinating communication with stakeholders, maintaining contact with the funder (NWO), overseeing financial and budgetary matters, supporting consortium-wide reporting, and coordinating meetings, events, and other activities. In this role, I work closely with the iCNS Daily Board, Executive Board, Work Package leaders, and researchers across the consortium.