Nancy Kirolos

Scientist, lecturer, writer, singer and science entertainer

About

Hi! I am Nancy Kirolos, an award-winning scientist trained in the life sciences (biochemistry) based in the Netherlands. Currently I work as a lecturer at the Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. To increase interest for the natural sciences in children, I also teach science workshops. Besides writing scientific reports about experiments, I like to write short stories and poems for fun. My other creative pursuits include singing, painting, and photography.

Science

I studied Life Science & Technology (biochemistry) at Delft University of Technology & Leiden University. My expertise pertains to academic research in genetics and pathogenesis. The reason I chose to study this is because I wanted to learn more about how life works at a cellular and molecular level.I have a passion to learn and continually increase my competencies. I like to use my analytical skills to research, develop and innovate processes such as experiments and protocols. Using my creativity in research to generate new insights gives me great pleasure. I am motivated to achieve and I work with purpose and precision.Currently I am working as a lecturer at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam teaching different bachelor and master level courses within the Faculty of Science programs.Besides doing research myself, I also like to teach students and entertain children in science workshops. Sparking children's interest in the natural sciences in a fun way, increases the likelihood that they will continue to go on to studying something in our field.Below you can find a selection of my scientific projects and achievements. There is also a list of courses I taught.Honors and Awards
2019 Cleveringa speech 2.0 contest winner, Cleveringa committee, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
2015 Merit Award Winner The Singapore Challenge: The Science of Future Cities, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
2006 Honours Class: Biosecurity and International Environmental Treaties, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands

Photo by Marc de Haan

Scientific Publications
Erkelens, A. M.; Henneman, B.; van der Valk, R. A.; Kirolos, N. C. S.; Dame, R.T. (2023)
Specific DNA binding of archaeal histones HMfA and HMfB.
Frontiers in Microbiology 14:1166608Erkelens, M.; Henneman, B.; Brouwer, T. B.; Kuijntjes, G.; van Emmerik, C.; van der Valk, R. A.; Timmer, M.; Kirolos, N. C . S.; van Ingen, H.; van Noort, J.; Dame, R. T. (2021), (A)Specific DNA Binding of Archaeal Histones, the Formation and Positioning of Hypernucleosomes
Biophysical Journal 120(3)1:317ABram Henneman, Thomas B Brouwer, Amanda M Erkelens, Gert-Jan Kuijntjes, Clara van Emmerik, Ramon A van der Valk, Monika Timmer, Nancy C S Kirolos, Hugo van Ingen, John van Noort, Remus T Dame, Mechanical and structural properties of archaeal hypernucleosomes, Nucleic Acids Research, Volume 49, Issue 8, 7 May 2021, Pages 4338–4349, https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkaa1196Henneman, B.; Van Emmerik, C.; Brouwer, T.; Van der Valk, R. A.; Kirolos, N.; Van Ingen, H.; Van Noort, J.; Dame, R. T. (2018); Structure And Function Of Archaeal Histones; Biophysical Journal 114(3)1:446aOther Publications
Various articles between 2005 and 2010 in the Vision of Life Magazine, Study Association LIFE, Life Science and Technology, Delft University of Technology & Leiden UniversityCourses Taught
2024-2025
Research Methods for Analyzing Complex Problems (MSc.)
Analysis of Governmental Policy (MSc.)2023-2024
Research Methods for Analyzing Complex Problems (MSc.)
Analysis of Governmental Policy (MSc.)
Essentials of Science, Business & Innovation (BSc.)
Governance for Global Health (MSc.)
Maatschappelijke Aspecten van de Natuurwetenschappen (BSc.)
Microbiologie (BSc.)
Management van Innovaties (BSc.)2022-2023
Research Methods for Analyzing Complex Problems (MSc.)
Analysis of Governmental Policy (MSc.)
Essentials of Science, Business & Innovation (MSc.)
Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg (BSc.)
Ethics in Life Sciences (MSc.)
Maatschappelijke Aspecten van de Natuurwetenschappen (BSc.)
Science Communication for Researchers (BSc.)
Management van Innovaties (BSc.)Other Science and Teaching Projects
2022 Science workshop separating pigments for children
2022 Science workshop creating magical potions for children
2020-2022 Teaching and supervising practical laboratory classes for master students at IHE Delft
2007-2010 Various different science workshops such as programming robots and making planes from balsa wood for students at TU Delft
2005-2010 Various different science workshops such as isolating DNA from fruits, making slime, making hair gel, and separating pigments for children at Leiden University

Words

I write poetry and short stories in Dutch and English to stimulate people emotionally and intellectually. In my work, I hold a mirror up to society to inspire individuals to reflect on their own behavior and bias. My aim is to be thought-provoking and cause introspection in the reader. Besides writing, I also teach creative writing in workshops for elementary and high school students.Below you can find a selection of my work.Honors
2021 Longlist finalist prose Dutch El Hizjra Literature Prize
2021 Voice of Peace Distinction Europe
2020 Longlist finalist prose Dutch El Hizjra Literature Prize
2019 Winner Cleveringa 2.0 Speech Contest

Publications
2022 Me, myself and AI v1.1
2021 Unfulfilled Dream
2021 Fairku/600nm
2021 Long Hair
2020 415 kilobyte
2019 Summary of Cleveringa Speech (PDF version page 5 and 10)
2019 Summary of Cleveringa Speech (web version)Media
2021 Dutch El Hizjra longlist finalist prose
2020 Dutch El Hizjra longlist finalist proseProjects
2022 Teacher Workshops Productiehuis Nowhere for Het Parool ColumnfestivalSocial Media
2022 Me, myself and AI v1.1
2021 Voice of Peace Distinction Europe

Music

I studied pop and classical singing as part of my musical training. As a soprano, I have performed in solo recitals and as part of a choir. Besides singing Western music, I also engaged with classical Indian music with the first and only Dutch/Indian/Hindustani choir, Zangam/Sharad.Below you can find a list of my performances and some recordings from Sharad/Zangam shows by audience members. There are also links to my performances singing classical pieces.

Performances
March 2025 Verdi Requiem, LSKO Collegium Musicum Choir, Amare, The Hague, the Netherlands
February 2025 Gluren Bij De Buren Festival, Alphen aan de Rijn, the Netherlands
January 2025 Poetrism, Make It Art Worthy, The Hague, the Netherlands
December 2024 Jamnesty Write for Rights Concert, Amnesty International, The Hague, the Netherlands
November 2024 Haags Open Podium, Pie Jesu - A.L. Webber, Het Koorenhuis, The Hague, the Netherlands
November 2024 Haags Open Podium, Lascia Ch'io Pianga - Händel, Het Koorenhuis, The Hague, the Netherlands
June 2024 Opera Studio MusicalMente, Pie Jesu - A.L. Webber, PopRadar, The Hague, the Netherlands
June 2024 Opera Studio MusicalMente duet with Lisette, Belle Nuit, Ô Nuit D'Amour - J. Offenbach, PopRadar, The Hague, the Netherlands
June 2023 Opera Studio MusicalMente, Ombra Mai Fu - G. F. Händel (Xerxes), PopRadar, The Hague, the Netherlands
Dec 2016 Sacred Songs: Haagse stemmen, Nieuwe Kerk, The Hague, the Netherlands
Oct 2016 Philip Glass’ Satyagraha Act II (3 shows part of the India Dance Festival), Korzo Theater, The Hague, the Netherlands
Sep 2016 Openingsgala Holland India Festivals The Hague, Zuiderstrandtheater, The Hague, the Netherlands
Sep 2016 Sacred Songs: Haagse stemmen, Nieuwe Kerk, The Hague, the Netherlands
July 2016 Zeeheldenfestival 2016, The Hague, the Netherlands
May 2016 Koninklijk Korenfestival, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Feb 2016 Zilte zoenen, een Valentijnsconcert, Zuiderstrandtheater, The Hague, the Netherlands
Nov 2015 Devotie, Theater De Nieuwe Regentes, The Hague, the Netherlands
Oct 2015 Philip Glass’ Satyagraha Act I (2 shows part of the India Dance Festival), Korzo Theater, The Hague, the Netherlands
July 2015 Buurtfeest Oranjeplein, The Hague, the Netherlands
June 2015 Devotie, Doelenzaal, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Dec 2014 Christmas Show, The Hague, the Netherlands
Oct 2014 Ragas in Symphony, Dr Anton Philipszaal, The Hague, the Netherlands
June 2014 Masouk Festival, Rietveld Theater, Delft, the Netherlands
April 2014 Sharad: Celebrating India, Gandhi Centre, The Hague, the Netherlands
Dec 2012 Christmas Show, Marekerk, Leiden, the Netherlands
April 2012 TU Delft Cultureel Centrum, Delft, the Netherlands
June 2011 TU Delft Cultureel Centrum, Delft, the NetherlandsMedia
2024 Hoftheater Studios
link2024 Studio MusicalMente
link2023 Studio MusicalMente
link2016 Sacred Songs: Haagse Stemmen
link 1
link 2
link 32016 Satyagraha Act II
link 12014 Ragas in Symphony
link 1
link 2
link 3
link 4
link 5
link 6
link 7

Fine Art

I use various media and materials to create art and express myself.Photography
2013 Nature Photography Exhibition, BovenIJ Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2009 Urban Photography Exhibition, TU Delft Cultureel Centrum, Delft, the Netherlands
To see some of my pictures, please click here to go to my photography website.

Contact

If you'd like to contact me to talk about ideas or possible projects, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you. I am based in the Netherlands. You can contact me through e-mail.