Don van Galen

Don van Galen is a chemical analyst in the laboratories of UNESCO-IHE.

In 1998 Don finished his Vocational Training Institute for Laboratory Techniques (MLO), with the main focus on analytical chemistry. In the last year of this 4-year course he was a trainee at the "Hogeschool Delft". Here he worked as an assistant (e.g. assisting and preparing the materials that were used in the laboratory) and conducted research for the "Diergaarde Blijdorp" (Rotterdam Zoo).

After graduation Don worked for several companies during his first year as an analyst. To name a few companies: Heineken brewery in Zoeterwoude (quality control), DSM in Delft (the Yeast factory; quality control) and Unilever in Vlaardingen (research for washing agents). In his second year he got a job at DSM Delft (again) in the environmental and metal analysis department. After 3.5 years he joined UNESCO-IHE in 2001 as a chemical analyst.

At UNESCO-IHE his job consists of preparing the chemistry courses given in UNESCO-IHE and to support the MSc students, which work in the laboratories, with analytical problems that might occur during their research. Occasionally he conducts analytical tests for third parties.

Once a week, together with Frank Wiegman, he is the coach and trainer for the UNESCO-IHE volleyball-team.