Dutch directness and italian passion: the story of researcher Margaux Frigoli
Margaux Frigoli had long admired the Netherlands and its culture by the time she graduated in Milan. After completing her master’s in industrial chemistry, she chose to pursue her PhD here. Having earned her doctorate in October, she now reflects on her time with the Sensor Engineering group at the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
"People can learn a lot from you Dutch," she says. "You’re easy-going, open-minded, and refreshingly direct. I value that, which is why I sought a job in chemistry and engineering here. After just my first interviews, the sensor engineers, their energy, and their humour won me over. I loved how everyone had a personal mug with a portrait and a funny description of their personality!"
Sensors
Margaux’s research focused on using fast, affordable sensors to detect harmful bacteria and antibiotic residues. "More and more bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics," she explains. "That’s why early detection, whether in healthcare or food production, is crucial. Some bacteria produce specific substances; if you find those, you know the bacteria are present too."
The Sensor Engineering group developed a novel plastic sensor that recognises molecules by their shape, like a puzzle piece clicking into place. When a molecule fits, it forms a layer on the sensor that blocks heat or electricity. The sensor then measures changes in heat or electrical flow, providing a precise reading of the molecule’s concentration in a sample, whether saliva, water, or milk.
Challenges
Margaux began by detecting a toxin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium often resistant to antibiotics and difficult to trace. She succeeded in identifying the toxin even in complex samples like saliva. She attempted the same approach with another molecule that bacteria use to communicate, but it proved tricky. "It worked in water, but not in milk, and milk was exactly what we wanted: rapid bacterial detection in dairy. As a researcher, you start with an idea and expectations, but when results don’t match, it’s tough to go back to square one," she admits.
Undeterred, she adapted an existing commercial sensor system with her own plastic sensors, successfully detecting antibiotic residues in water and dairy products. "By using a robust, established system, I expect we can bring our sensors to market faster," she says. The ultimate goal of the Sensor Engineering team is to develop practical, on-site sensors for detecting bacteria or antibiotics in water for livestock, greenhouse crops, dairy products, or even patient samples.
Grateful
Last summer, Margaux started working at Sappi’s paper mill in Maastricht. "Sappi does more than just make paper; we also develop biobased additives from cellulose or starch for cosmetics, paints, or coatings. If I’d started here straight after my master’s, I wouldn’t have half the knowledge I do now, both in chemistry and in designing and managing research projects. My confidence grew immensely through my PhD experience."
How does she look back on her time at FSE? "As an expat, you see your colleagues more often than your family, they become like family. I miss the fun in the lab, the music, and sometimes even the dancing. You should always enjoy your work; joy is the key to everything. All in all, I’m deeply grateful for how it all turned out."
text: Patrick Marx
Photos & illustration: Margaux Frigoli
