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Kelly Thys

Research technician

+31 43 38 71272

Laboratory of Cellular Genomic Medicine
Department of Clinical Genetics
Maastricht UMC+
P. Debyelaan 25
6229 HX Maastricht
The Netherlands

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About me

My interest in genetics grew from curiosity into a real drive to understand how biology works at its core, and how that knowledge can be translated into real-world applications. I enjoy the fact that science never stands still: every experiment, protocol, or dataset brings a new question and a chance to improve. I like troubleshooting and refining workflows, and I’m happiest when I can break something complex down until it truly makes sense.

As a research technician in the CGM group, I work across wet-to-dry lab workflows and contribute to method development and quality-focused lab practice. I value structured documentation and practical support behind the scenes, whether that’s helping a project move forward, making a protocol easier to follow, or ensuring consistent results. I also enjoy supporting colleagues, sharing skills, explaining methods, and helping others feel confident with new techniques.

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Timeline

2026 –

2021 – 2026

2019 – 2021

2016 – 2019

Research technician, Cellular Genomic Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht UMC, NL

PhD candidate in Biology, Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, BE

MSc in Marine  and Lacustrine Sciences and Management, Free University of Brussels, Ghent University & University of Antwerp, Brussels, BE

BSc in Biology, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, BE

Personal touch

When I am not in the lab, I like to reset by cooking or baking, sometimes following a recipe in a very structured, step-by-step way, but I also enjoy freestyling and experimenting. I also like spending time with family and friends, going for walks at home or at the seaside. On holidays, I like to try new outdoor activities, such as diving or surfing. I am curious by nature, so I am always learning something new, especially when it comes to technology. Fun fact: while I love baking, I’m not actually that fond of eating the sweets I make myself.

KT_Baking.jpeg

Honors & Awards

2025    Tier-1 Data project allocation of HPC storage for genomic datasets, Flemish Supercomputer Center (VSC)

 

2024    Travel grant for a research stay travel in Austria, The Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO)

 

2023    Research grant for Whole-Genome Sequencing, Brilliant Marine Research Idea (BMRI) from Flanders Marine                         Institute (VLIZ)

 

2022    Travel grant for the PAFFA Conference in Congo-Brazzaville, Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI)

 

2021    Research Grant for my PhD, Special Research Fund (BOF) of Hasselt University

 

2021    Oceans & Lakes Best Student Award, Free University of Brussels (VUB)

 

2021    VLIZ Marine Science Day Poster prize on MSc thesis, VLIZ

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