My name is Claire Fransman, and I come from tropical Suriname. At the moment, I am completing my Master’s degree at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. During my studies, I had the amazing opportunity to do an internship in Aruba. Besides enjoying the island, I conducted research there on viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. I also helped implement guidelines for general practitioners and laboratories, ensuring that doctors and labs know exactly what to do when someone becomes ill, so patients can be better protected. In the Netherlands, I contributed to setting up a surveillance study, which involves monitoring how often these diseases occur and whether outbreaks take place, so that doctors and public health authorities can respond more effectively.
After my studies, I will start a PhD project at Streeklab Haarlem, and hopefully I’ll be able to return to the Caribbean for my research (because who could say no to sun, sea, and science?).
Outside of my studies, I enjoy reading, sports, traveling, and of course spending time with my family and friends.