"Emma van der Leest is a Dutch designer and pioneer in biodesign. She combines design, science and sustainability to create innovative solutions. After graduating from the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, she discovered her passion for biotechnology and biobased materials. Her work revolves around the use, application and research of biological systems, such as mycelium and bacteria, as sustainable alternatives to traditional materials.

With her designs, Emma strives for a circular production chain in which waste is minimized and natural processes are utilized. In 2015, she founded BlueCity Lab, an experimental incubator in Rotterdam where makers and thinkers collaborate on sustainable innovations. In addition to her design practice, she is active as a speaker, curator and teacher, raising awareness of biodesign.

Emma's work has been exhibited internationally and she is recognized as an influential voice in the transition to more sustainable design. By combining creativity with science, she inspires a new generation of designers to see nature as an ally."

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