Every path is unique.

Francesca Diaz Cabal

Gray whale researcher · Ecuador / Mexico

Hello everyone! My name is Francesca, and I'm from Ecuador. Ever since I was five years old, I knew I wanted to become a marine biologist and study whales. I remember when I was applying for different universities, and MSP immediately stood out because of the BTR programme it offered. The fact that it allowed students to do their bachelor thesis research anywhere in the world was truly the tip of the iceberg for me, and the final push that brought me to Maastricht.

My university years in the Netherlands were amazing. Living in such an international environment, choosing my own courses, biking everywhere, and meeting people from all over the world became some of the highlights of my studies. MSP gave me the freedom to shape my academic path around my passions, and that made all the difference. As my Bachelor Thesis Research (BTR) approached, I decided to dream big and that took me to Baja California Sur, Mexico, to work with photo identification with gray whales.

For my thesis, I joined PRIMMA (Programa de Investigación de Mamíferos Marinos), and what started as a research project quickly became so much more. I was invited to be part of the gray whale research team, and to this day, I'm still working with them. Since my thesis, I've been invited back to Mexico for the gray whale season from January to April — twice already, and I'll be returning again for the 2026 season, which will be my third.

Thanks to my BTR on gray whales the doors in the marine mammal community opened for me, and I've been able to explore other opportunities. I recently finished my first humpback whale season (June–December) as a volunteer with the Pacific Whale Foundation in Ecuador, where I spent six months as part of the research team. I joined expeditions, worked on photo-ID, and learned new research techniques that I'm excited to apply in my future projects. Now, as I finish the year in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador, I'll be heading back to Mexico to work with gray whales once again.

Looking ahead, my goal is to pursue a master's degree using data from Ecuador's marine mammal team, where there is still so much to be discovered about these migrating species. I'm hoping to find a programme that, just like MSP, allows me to do my thesis abroad and continue combining research, travel, and real-world experience.

Vitesh

Nuclear researcher · Singapore

The mysteries of the universe — from planets and stars to black holes and galaxies — have always fascinated me. My name is Vitesh, though many know me as Vitz, and I have long held a deep passion for physics.

My time at the Maastricht Science Programme stands out as one of the most meaningful and enriching educational experiences of my life. I am truly honoured to have been part of the programme. While the courses themselves were intellectually rigorous and engaging, it was the educational approach and the dedication of the lecturers that made MSP truly exceptional.

It nurtured curiosity, encouraged independent thinking, and most importantly, reignited my genuine enjoyment of learning. Following my studies at MSP, I was awarded a scholarship in Singapore to further my education, where I pursued Nuclear Engineering.

Today, I work as a Nuclear Researcher in Singapore, assessing the safety systems of various reactor technologies, conducting severe accident and neutronic simulations, and performing radiological environmental impact assessments.

I can say with confidence that the curriculum at MSP, together with the guidance and inspiration provided by my lecturers — particularly Dr. Chris Pawley, Dr. Sarah Williams, Dr. Ronald Westra, and Dr. Donna Carroll, among many others — and the support of my course mates, shaped my academic journey in profound ways. The experience was not only unforgettable, but also instrumental in moulding me into the passionate and inquisitive researcher I am today.

Daria Legostaeva

Environmental engineer at SBM Offshore · Netherlands

If you had asked me back then, I wouldn't have predicted that I would end up at MSP for my bachelor's. At the time, I had never been to Maastricht or toured the university and the FSE faculty. In high school, I knew I wanted to pursue natural sciences, but I couldn't commit to just one subject. The diversity and flexibility of the MSP programme were what truly drew me to apply.

Looking back at my journey, I didn't expect my studies to lead me to where I am today, and I mean that in the best way possible. Early on, I realized that a purely academic or research path was not entirely for me. I was much more drawn to the application of knowledge in industry and scientific business practices.

After completing my BTR at the Brightlands campus with an innovative startup, I became deeply interested in sustainability and environmental topics. That experience helped me realize this was the market I wanted to pursue.

Being an international student in Europe comes with its own pressures: meeting grade requirements to retain residency, and after graduation, facing the ticking clock of finding a master's programme or a job with visa sponsorship. I found myself in a position where no particular master's programme sparked strong interest, and I felt ready to give working life a chance — almost as a trial to confirm whether sustainability and environmental science were truly the fields I wanted to grow in.

The journey to finding my first job was definitely not easy. At times it was disappointing, lonely, and frustrating. What kept me going was my desire to stay in the Netherlands, which had become a new home with its routines, friendships, and sense of familiarity.

After countless applications, interviews, rejections, and unanswered emails, I connected with a recruiter from my current company. That opportunity led to an offer for a position as an Environmental Engineer. Coming from a non-traditional engineering background, the first year came with a steep learning curve. However, I kept reminding myself that throughout my education, it was precisely the skills of research, self-study, and proactivity that allowed me to grow.

This February, I completed my first year working in a large corporate environment and living in a new city. It has been a year of incredible highs, but also moments of doubt and uncertainty.

Yannick

Wildlife crime consultant · Fauna Flux

After completing my bachelor's at MSP, I went to do a master's at the University of Copenhagen. The programme offered much flexibility and I exploited this.

I conducted a research project in the Llanganates-Sangay ecological corridor in Ecuador where I worked on some conservation genetics specifically tailored to herpetofauna, and a year and a half later, I went to Belize to do my master's thesis on the American Crocodile together with the Crocodile Research Coalition funded by the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group and the Hendrik Muller Fonds.

After my studies, I decided to change direction and pursue something else to research. I wanted to do something that would help create change now. This led me to the field of wildlife crime.

Currently, I work as a consultant at Langland Conservation through my own company Fauna Flux. It is an exciting company that leverages the power of technology and military experience to combat the illegal trade of wildlife. We help local partners optimise their conservation efforts to achieve actionable results by supporting them with analytics and intelligence.