MEA-nl’s Team of Professionals
The power of MEA-nl lies in our team. We are passionate and dedicated professionals from both the scientific, NGO, corporate and technical sector. Our knowledge, expertise and skills are available to assist you with research and innovation. Let us introduce ourselves further…
Etienne Brutel de la Rivière MSc
Managing director
Working on solutions on the cutting edge of marine biology and technical innovation. Solutions that help both the shipping sector and governments to protect the marine environment. This requires innovative test methodologies, in which systems are tested under the most challenging circumstances. Developers and manufacturers must be challenged to the upmost to continuously optimize their systems. This embodies the vision of MEA-nl. As managing director, Etienne has the task to keep MEA-nl focused at this point on the horizon, at everything MEA-nl is involved in. After finalizing his study maritime corporate management, Etienne has been active for 20 years in different management jobs at ship-owners and the Royal Association Of Netherlands Ship Owners (KVNR). As one of the founding members of MEA-nl, he is a ‘conductor of a unique ensemble of specialists’ from many different expertise areas. Contributing to the preservation of our planet and its oceans for future generations is his continuous objective. Etienne is also part of Netherlands’ delegation to IMO.
Frank Fuhr Dipl. Biol.
Scientist / Operational director
What is the best way to test the effectiveness of ballast water management systems? To be a pioneer in this ground-breaking area, is what motivates Frank. He has finalized his study in biology and fishing in 2000. After that, he has participated in various scientific research projects all focused at the human role and impact on the marine ecosystem. Frank has been involved in the ballast water issue since 2001. As researcher, he was involved in 14 type approval projects for ballast water management systems. In 2002, he became one of the founding members of MEA-nl. At MEA-nl he carries out research focused at the effectiveness of ballast water installations. As executive director, Frank ensures the technical feasibility of all of our operations and tests.
Aart Wijker
Project manager / Superintendent
Aart has worked his entire life as marine engineer. After following nautical college in Den Helder he started working as mechanical engineer at the Royal Navy. He followed several in-company trainings at the Navy. Subsequently, he worked for several years at the submarines department, followed by providing training and working in inspection teams. In his final years at the Royal Navy he has sailed on several frigates. The sea kept calling, and Aart became head marine engineering on the Three Master ship ‘Clipper Stad Amsterdam’. For a five year period, Aart worked ashore as quality controller at a stairlift manufacturer. He returned to sea by becoming marine engineer at the three master ‘Eendracht’. He finalized his working period at the Eendracht as superintendent. Since 2017, Aart teaches on a part-time basis at the maritime academy of Enkhuizen. Aart fully endorses the on-going emphasis on environmental regulations and MEA-nl’s objectives. With his knowledge and broad working experience, Aart is of great value for MEA-nl’s team.
Lia Visser BSc
Project manager
Lia graduated in Groningen in the field of International Facility Management. Looking back, she has experienced it as a multi-faceted study that has brought her to many places. She has done an internship in Suriname and in Austria and she has deepened her knowledge in the area of business administration. For her final (graduation) internship, Lia has successfully performed an international market research. To conclude: switching between cultures, company personnel and administrative systems is a skill that she learned at a young age. That is why Lia flourishes in an international working environment. Lia is flexible and versatile, and values a transparent and efficient business management.
Astrid Hoogstraten
Scientist / Project Manager
Using science to make a difference and protect the planet, that was always Astrid’s main goal. Duringher marine biology study at the University of Groningen, where she developed a keen interest in phytoplankton and marine chemistry, she joined several scientific cruises and field studies that took place all around the globe. The love for the oceans never went away resulting in researching the effects of increasing carbon dioxide concentrations on marine phytoplankton. After focussing on her family for a couple of years she started looking for a new position in which she was able to contribute to environmental protection. At MEA-nl, she has found her new spot and the opportunity to further develop her knowledge and skills.
Alexander Kesteloo
Lab technician
Alexander has studied chemistry at the MBO Nova College in Beverwijk. After that he spent several years working at different companies in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Alexander has found a variety of new challenges at MEA-nl. Being interested in marine life, every day is a day full of new experiences. Working at one MEA-nl’s fundamental branches, the laboratory, is very full-filling for him. Because of his working experience, he can bring a lot of fresh and new ideas. In his private life, Alexander enjoys playing Judo and Dart and breeding the cat species Main Coon.
Janneke Pietersma
Lab technician
After secondary school, Janneke was occupied in the care for the elderly. Like her professional approach, she did so with all of her heart and soul. During this busy job, she had a lot of focus for ‘the personal touch’. This also illustrates Janneke’s dedication as lab assistant and micro-biological analyst at MEA-nl. Her interest in biology and life forms already started at primary school. After, and during, her lessons in biology she already drew pictures of birds and immersed herself in studies at anatomy and pathology. In MEA-nl’s laboratories, with an emphasis on the micro-biological lab, she fully thrives. To quote Janneke herself: ‘The Laboratory Is My Second Home’.
Inge Zomerdijk
Lab Technician
Inge grew up on a farm very close to the MEA-nl premises. As a child, the day-to-day practice of the agricultural existance coloured her daily life. Her real interest for a profession, however, focused on micro-biology. Logically, an education in Life Sciences in Leeuwarden, Friesland followed. Inge’s interest, education and skills are a ‘perfect fit’ for the laboratories of MEA-nl. Analysis of plankton in sea, marine and brackish water and – the much smaller – bacteria and viruses are all part of her important tasks at MEA-nl.
Thomas Oudeboon
Data Controller
Thomas followed and completed his teacher training geography in Amsterdam. Biology also drew his attention but geography appealed to him as a smarter option. During teaching, Thomas discovered that the subject matter he taught motivated him more than the profession of teaching itself. During his job as facility employee at the energy center ECN in Petten his attention shifted towards other fields of natural science. Energy generation and, later on, geology captured his attention. At the engineering company Terrascan he carried out soil and water surveys and designed 2D geographical maps and images. During this job, he obtained several certificates for these work areas. Finally, his attention was drawn towards biology. He is very content to work on one of the key products and processes of MEA-NL: reliable measurements and data streams.
Nicole Rienstra-Smit
Office Manager
Nicole has studied at the Fashion Business School in Heemstede and has followed general business studies. Before that, she has worked many years in the fashion industry, at local press organization and a printing office. Nicole excels when the pressure rises, like she states herself. Together with Erzsebet, she holds the ‘administrative steering wheel’ of MEA-nl. Arranging and organizing the many aspects of her daily work, fits her like a glove. Outside of working hours at MEA-nl, Nicole is active in a variety of activities for kids and youngsters. She is a handball coach and accompanies various activities at school.
Erzsébet Visser
QA Officer
Erzsébet loves variation and challenges. Erzsébet has gathered administrative experience at a law firm. At MEA-nl, she started in 2013 as office manager. She fully enjoys this dynamic task. She is eager to learn, effective and flexible. She likes to leave work only when the job is done and is happy to pick up new tasks. Consequently, there is ‘never a dull moment’ for Erzsébet at MEA-nl. At the end of 2016, she accepted a new challenge within MEA-nl as quality officer. Further development in this job is her main priority. Erzsébet does this in close co-operation with Etienne and Rob, and assists Nicole when necessary. Also, she takes care of editing and graphic completion of MEA-nl’s reports. With three children still living at home, Erzsébet is alsohappily occupied outside of her working hours at MEA-nl.
Dr. Cato ten Hallers-Tjabbes FRIN
Advisory board
For many experts in the field, marine biologist Cato ten Hallers does not need any further introduction. Her scientific research is primarily aimed at the effects of humans on the marine environment. But, Cato’s work stretches much further. She uses her knowledge to put the threads to the marine environment high on the international political agenda. This is her main occupation in the IMO, where she represents the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). By bridging the gaps between science, industries and politics, Cato is able to activate and alter policy making processes. She does this with the overall objective to protect the marine environment against hazards and harmful effects. Over the years, Cato was responsible for a significant part of the groundwork that eventually led to IMO’s Ballast Water Convention and, some years earlier, the IMO Anti Fouling Convention. Cato sympathizes with MEA-nl, mainly because of its challenging approach and the high level of expertise of its team. With her knowledge of marine biology, her political experience and network, Cato is a valuable senior-advisor for MEA-nl.
Rob P. van Weeghel PhD
QA Manager
Before becoming a Quality Assurance specialist, Rob was involved in the development of a disinfection system for the control of Legionella in drinking water and the development of innovative molecular DNA test methods. Focus areas were the identification of pathogenic bacteria in ballast water and other samples in relation to environmental protection purposes. As consultant and as director of an RvA accredited laboratory, Rob has gained extensive experience in the implementation and maintenance of Quality Management Systems (QMS). Within these work processes, he has co-operated intensively with the US FDA and other notified bodies and national authorities.
Rob is responsible to ensure that the Quality Systems of the Test Facility and Test Laboratory of MEA-nl are properly implemented and maintained. Key point is to assure that methods, validations and results are highly reliable and compliant with all internationally applicable standards such as ISO 17025 (General requirements for the competence of Testing Laboratoria). Rob is excited about being able to combine his ‘land-side’ experience with the widening scope of MEA-nl’s activities.