Erik earned his PhD in Biochemistry from Utrecht University and spent over a decade in U.S. academia researching nutrition, the gut microbiome, and immune health. In 2012, he transitioned to industry, focusing on microbial and nutritional solutions for digestive and immune health in humans and animals. Since 2021, Erik has been Principal Scientist at dsm-firmenich, where he leads the development of postbiotics to support health from the gut and beyond.