Beyond the scientist: Ellen van Jaarsveld

21 November 2018

Ellen is assistant Professor at the Department for Health Evidence and at the Department of Primary and Community Care.

Where and when were you born?
I was born in Woerden, a city in the province of Utrecht, in 1970. More specifically, I was born in my parents house above the car shop owned by my father and his brothers.
Where do you live and with whom?
In a beautiful part of Nijmegen (Nijmegen-East), together with Bastiaan, and our two children: Anouk (9) and Hugo (6).
Who was your role model when you were a kid?
My music (flute) teacher.
Why aren’t you doing the same thing now as your role model (or do you?)
No, I did not become a professional flutist because I am better in science than music!
What is the thing in your (work or other) history that you are most proud of?
To have worked and lived in England for almost 10 years.
What is it that you would like to achieve in work in the next 5 to 10 years?
That is a difficult one. The most important thing for me is to keep enjoying work. Not just any work, but work that is meaningful, interesting and makes me happy.
For what can we wake you up?
Please don’t, unless it is a lovely Sunday morning for a run in the woods.
What is your hobby and how good are you at it?
My main hobby is running in the woods. There is no need to be good at it as long as you enjoy it. The longest distance I ran was 18km, because I once got terribly lost in a forest during a holiday.
What is your biggest irritation?
Unleashed dogs that are not controlled by their owner and scare me while I am running in the woods.
Who would you like to invite for dinner, if you had the chance?
Jamie Oliver, a famous chef from the UK. He inspired my husband to start cooking, which is fantastic as he often prepares  delicious family meals. I would love to thank Jamie for that!