Jasper Klasen
PhD candidate Work package 5
About me
I started with my PhD in the beginning of the year, as one of the first researchers for ESCH-R. As a medical doctor, with a background at the faculties of ESHPM and ESL (Erasmus University), I’m very much looking forward to tackle our issues at hand through a multidisciplinary lens.
What do I do?
I’m a PhD candidate for work package 5, where I’m connected to the living labs at the Erasmus MC. Before starting with my Phd, I was a policy advisor in Dutch politics. In my free time, I’m an avid gym goer as I try to hit the gym six times a week. I also love to go out on my racing bike in the sun and enjoy playing boardgames with friends. For all those looking for a nice boardgame connected to our work at ESCH-R, I recommend “Daybreak”, a cooperative boardgame about stopping climate change.
What do I plan to do during ESCH-R?
My research focuses on practical changes hospitals can take to improve their sustainability. Right now I’m doing research on the pharmaceutical waste flow at the ICU of the Erasmus MC. Together with a TU Delft student, we are trying to calculate the total amount of waste (in both mass and materials) from all pharmaceuticals used in our ICU. For that, we are looking into the different types of packaging materials used, as well as contacting pharmaceutical companies about their product characteristics. Secondly, I’m partly supervising a group of Hogeschool Rotterdam students as they are looking into improving the sustainability of the ultrasounds at the obstetrics department.
Silke Rijcks
Master Integrated Product Design
About me
I’m a master’s student in Integrated Product Design at Delft University of Technology. I just started my graduation project here at the Erasmus Medical Centre and I will be looking at the packaging of medication and trying to redesign this to be more sustainable.
As a child, I did not want to get into healthcare because both my parents work in hospitals and I wanted to follow my own path. I grew up in an ecological neighbourhood full of beautiful green nature and with my studies I became aware of the issues surrounding sustainability. This made me want to tackle big issues to make a real impact. Unexpectedly, I still ended up in healthcare with this cool project!
What do I do?
I mainly focus on designing more responsible, sustainable and circular products.
What do I plan to do during ESCH-R?
I came across this project through the chair of my graduation project, Jan Carel Dhiel. He paired me with PHD Jasper Klasen to do research on the packaging of medication in the ICU and find hotspots. I will create a redesign for these hotspots to show manufacturers how their products can cause less impact and waste. This will bring us closer to the Green Deal and a cleaner future.
Sacha Verburg
Master Strategic Product Design
About me
I am Strategic Product Design master student at the faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology. I recently started my graduation project at the Cardiology Department at EMC. In this project, we will try to make some of the products they use more sustainable by engaging stakeholders in co-creation.
I have always been interested in medical topics. In this project I can combine my design skills with this interest to make a positive impact on the industry’s sustainability. In my free time I love to hike with friends and enjoy nature, and play (beach)volleyball and other sports. I also love to be creative and am currently really into crochet and making clothes and accessories.
What do I do?
Next to the small sustainability efforts in my personal life, I now also hope to have a more significant positive impact on sustainability with this project!
What do I plan to do during ESCH-R?
In this project, we will explore different product groups used at the cardiology department. For these products, we will identify the stakeholders and analyse their needs, values, and opportunities and barriers to create a more sustainable product or system. By doing this, we can design a co-creation approach that will facilitate the stakeholders in working together to reach the common goal of a more sustainable product/process, whilst keeping in mind the value for all stakeholders involved.
Eileen Raaijmakers
Researcher circular strategies
About me
Hello! My name is Eileen. I studied Industrial Design Engineering at the Delft University of Technology and recently joined ESCH-R as a researcher. During my studies, I developed a strong interest in design for healthcare, global health, and sustainable development, which is why I love to work on projects related to these topics
Additionally, I have a passion for traveling and outdoor activities, such as sailing, hiking, and (kite)surfing. Motivated by a profound appreciation for our planet and its resources, I am inspired to create a positive impact and contribute to a circular economy.
What do I do?
As a researcher, I am committed to the ESC-R project full-time. Additionally, I work as a volunteer for Global Surgery Amsterdam, a non-profit organization that provides surgical training in low-resource settings. We coordinate partnerships to improve access to suitable medical equipment at the participating hospitals in Sierra Leone and Tanzania. In these areas, resources are precious, and it is interesting to see that the same circular strategies (rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle, etc.) apply here.
What do I plan to do during ESCH-R?
Within ESCH-R, I am part of WP4 ‘How we buy’, and my part of this research takes place at the procurement department of the UMC Utrecht. I collect data related to the current circular strategies of the hospital. Eventually, together with my colleague at Erasmus MC, we aim to identify key opportunities to enable circularity in the value chain. I am looking forward to immersing myself in the hospital, using my own observations alongside system data and scientific literature to find the answers we are looking for. So far, everyone I’ve met at UMC Utrecht has been very open and welcoming, which already makes this job a pleasant experience.
Alice Wu
Researcher ESCH-R Project
About me
I was born in China and then lived in the US for 7 years. Around 2 years ago, I moved to the Netherlands with my partner and our cat. I studied MSc Global Business & Sustainability at RSM and wrote my thesis on sustainable healthcare.
What do I do?
I am now working as a researcher within the ESCH-R project, specifically in Work package 4. I will be conducting research at the Erasmus MC procurement department, exploring more sustainable procurement/tendering process and strategies. I look forward to working with everyone in the project!
