Simone Smink

About me

I completed my bachelor's and master’s degree in biomedical engineering at TU Eindhoven. During and after my studies I had the opportunity to work at Utrecht University on the development of microfluidic organ-on-a-chips in the department of Experimental Pharmacology. At TU Delft, I will be conducting my research under the guidance of Dr. Pouyan Boukany and Prof. Dr. Gijsje Koenderink.

At TU Delft

In this project, I aim to unravel the intricate process of cancer cell migration, specifically focusing on metastasis, and particularly intravasation. By utilizing a microfluidics platform to recreate the tumour microenvironment (TME), I can observe firsthand how cancer cells interact within their surroundings. Through the investigation of factors such as matrix porosity and interstitial fluid flow, I am to  uncover the fundamental mechanisms underlying intravasation and subsequent metastatic events. Ultimately, we hope this approach will deepen our understanding of cancer progression and pave the way for more targeted therapeutic interventions.