Alana graduated from Radboud University Nijmegen with a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Life Sciences and a Master’s degree in Medical Biology. In her academic coursework, she focused on cellular and molecular biology. She developed an interest in the interplay between cells and their environment. Her research projects involved the activation of T cells by functionalized poly(isocyanide) brushes, the investigation of mitochondrial RNA processing after transcription, and the establishment of CRISPaint cell lines for the investigation of intestinal mucins in relation to the microbiome. In September 2023, she joined the BioInterface Science Group of Prof. Jan de Boer as a PhD student. Her research will focus on the reciprocal interaction between cells and synthetic extracellular matrix materials, with an emphasis on the effect of ageing of the extracellular matrix. The work will be done in close collaboration with scientist from the Dankers group and is part of the Zwaartekracht project “Interactive Polymer Materials”.