Helix Lab Fellows, Class of Spring 2023
Abongnwi Millah Manka´a
Job: Seeking job in Kalundborg
Background: MSc in Bioengineering from Aalborg University (AAU)
Helix Lab Fellow Project, Spring 2023: "Investigation of sustainable water effluent re-use from purified water production" in collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S
Alex Pokhrel
Job: Associate Process Engineer at Novo Nordisk (Kalundborg)
Motivation: The aspiration to work in an industrial environment motivated me to pursue my master's thesis in collaboration with the biotech industry. Conducting my project within a biotech company allowed me to comprehend and implement various solutions for the challenges encountered in daily operations. To further my enthusiasm for comprehending and resolving diverse process-related issues faced by the industry, I am thrilled and motivated to embark on the next phase of my journey as a process engineer.
Background: MSc in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "Data-driven control strategy for dewatering of inactivated biosolids in centrifugal decanters" in collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S
Ana Dugopoljac
Job: Associate Process Engineer in API Process Recovery at Novo Nordisk (Kalundborg)
Motivation: I wanted to start my career in project planning while diving into the process optimization, something that I’ve been learning through my thesis work so it seemed natural that I continue developing the acquired knowledge.
Background: MSc in Chemical Engineering from Aalborg University (AAU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "Deep dive into selected downstream unit operations for identifying design/improvement opportunities" in collaboration with Chr. Hansen A/S
Fernanda Boss-Ramos
Job: Associate Process Engineer at Novo Nordisk A/S (Kalundborg)
Motivation: I wanted to start in a position in which I could learn everything about the process. In addition, I really like the idea of work investigating the process problems and have a dynamic work daily life.
Background: MSc Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "Experimental exploration of an industrial pharmaceutical crystallization process facility 1" in collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S
Grzegorz Zaba
Job: Process Data Analyst at Novo Nordisk A/S (Kalundborg)
Motivation: The job I applied for appeared to be a natural continuation of my master's thesis project. After experience with the biotech industry, I realized the immense potential of data-driven approaches in optimizing its business and operations. I am sure that joining the Future Operations team at the dynamically growing Kalundborg facility will provide me with numerous opportunities to further develop my skill set by facing challenging projects that contribute to the industry's improvement
Background: MSc in Mathematical Modelling and Computation from Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "AI & Modelling bioprocess in a multi-product plant" in collaboration with Novozymes A/S
Henan Zhao
Job: Seeking job in Kalundborg and rest of Zealand
Background: MSc in Business Analytics from Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "Application of Motion Amplification in Predictive Maintenance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing" in collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S
Ida Krogh Hjortdal
Job: Chemical Engineer at C. C. Jensen
Motivation: What really caught my attention about this position was that there are both experimental, literary, and theoretical aspects to it. My thesis work taught me that I thrive when I get to put theory to practice, and this is exactly what was in the job description. Other than that, the company also has a good reputation when it comes to the working environment.
Background: MSc Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "Experimental exploration of an industrial pharmaceutical crystallization process facility 2" in collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S
Jesper Moeskjær Fanefjord Laursen
Job: Environmental worker in Technology and the Environment at Tønder Municipality
Motivation: I applied since the job description seemed similar to what I have been doing for my master's thesis, and I would also be able to use my experience from my internship at Planetary Guardians which meant a lot to me.
Background: MSc in Techsoc Environmental planning from Roskilde University (RUC)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "New ways of performing water retention/delay near Højbyen in Kalundborg" in collaboration with Kalundborg Utility
Katrine Lund Andersen
Job: Engineer at Chr. Hansen A/S (Kalundborg)
Motivation: Being part of building up the new factory in Kalundborg from the begining.
Background: MSc in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "At-line/on-line measurement of sugars in HMO fermentation" in collaboration with Chr. Hansen A/S
Mahmoud Samir Beyragdar
Job: Associate Process Engineer at Novo Nordisk (Kalundborg)
Motivation: The PPIII Support Team at Novo Nordisk immediately caught my eye. It’s a young, diverse group working on downstream processes like acylation and chromatography — areas I’ve always been passionate about and eager to gain more experience in. The best part is that the feeling was mutual, and I was fortunate enough to receive an offer quickly. Now, one month into the job, I can genuinely say that I feel like I belong here, and I’m excited to continue learning and growing in this role.
Background: MSc in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "Exchange of ceramic membrane in filter unit" in collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S
Maria A. Piza Bermudez
Job: Manufacturing Process Engineer at Novo Nordisk A/S (Kalundborg)
Motivation: I applied to the manufacturing talent program from NN because it allows me to work in a big industrial site as Kalundborg and it will also bring new and different experiences for my professional life. I will be rotating throughout 3 departments during 2 years. This rotations are a great opportunity to learn from different fields and better understand the dynamics of a big pharmaceutical company.
Background: MSc in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "At-line enzyme concentration measurements" in collaboration with Novozymes A/S
María Monserrat Díaz Hernández
Job: Professor and future Ph.D. student at Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico
Motivation: The pleasure of knowing more and teaching others motivated me to continue working at my university and, simultaneously, continue studying to increase my knowledge and allow me to provide new technologies, methodologies, or solutions to current problems.
Background: MSc in Engineering from Technical University of Denmark (DTU) & Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "Sustainable production of microalgae using side streams from enzyme production" in collaboration with Novozymes A/S
Søren Storck Hansen
Job: Downstream Process Engineer at Unibio A/S (Kalundborg)
Motivation: The position offers an opportunity to have a high diversity in tasks and responsibilities which suits me. I think it is a great place for me to further develop my engineering skills. Also, Unibio is an exciting company with a lot of great people. I felt welcome and part of the team from day 1 when I was doing my master thesis there.
Background: MSc in Biotechnology Engineering from Aalborg University (AAU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "Valorization of microbial protein fermentation through proteomics, bioinformatics, and integrated, data-driven membrane process design for isolation of bioactive proteins/enzymes" in collaboration with Unibio A/S
Yujing Zhao
Job: Engineer at NNE A/S (Virum)
Motivation: I've always loved both the engineering work and the pharma industry, and NNE is a perfect combination of both. I also like the dynamic project-based work environment. This allows me to collaborate closely with different disciplines, and work with the design of various systems.
Background: MSc in Biotechnology from Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Helix Lab Fellowship Project, Spring 2023: "Feasibility and viability of regeneration and re-use of CIP chemicals" in collaboration with NNE A/S
