Aldrik Velders

Prof. Aldrik Velders is a full Professor and Chairholder of BioNanoTechnology at Wageningen University. He holds affiliations with the Interventional Molecular Imaging group at Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) and the Microwave and Sustainable Organic Chemistry group at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM, Spain). Previously, he served as an assistant and associate professor at the University of Twente (2004–2012), directing NMR & MS facilities there. He also led the MAGNEFY (MAGNEtic resonance research FacilitY) lab and participated in the Dutch national NMR initiative. His expertise spans analytical chemistry, bionanotechnology, biosensors, and spectroscopic techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and fluorescence emission.

Education: Aldrik Velders earned his master’s in lanthanide chemistry (Utrecht University) and supramolecular chemistry (University of Pavia, Italy). He received his PhD in BioInorganic Chemistry from Leiden University in 2000. His postdoctoral work involved research at the University of Florence’s Centre for Magnetic Resonance and at Molteni Farmaceutici.

Research Interests: He focuses on designing complex nanoparticle systems for biomedical and material applications, advancing microfluidics and nanotechnology, and developing Magnetic Resonance techniques for these fields. His work integrates supramolecular chemistry, diagnostics, and sensor technologies to bridge molecular science with practical applications in health and agriculture. Visual highlights include collaborations in nanomedicine and sustainable organic chemistry.

Advising & Grants: Actively supervises BSc/MSc thesis projects in Biotechnology and Molecular Life Sciences, offering students opportunities in device design, coordination chemistry, and sensor development. His group collaborates across disciplines, evidenced by involvement in cross-institutional initiatives like MAGNEFY and Expeditie NEXT (e.g., 2024 participation).

Labs/Teams: Leads the BioNanoTechnology (BioNT) research group at Wageningen. Runs the MAGNEFY lab and collaborates with teams studying supramolecular interactions, complex coacervates, and micro/Nano-NMR hardware development.