Having completed a Biology research Master with projects in Chronobiology, Immunology and Behavioral Physiology at the University of Groningen (Netherlands), Josien struck out for warmer climes and exciting new research opportunities in Sydney Australia. She is currently doing a PhD project with Professor G. J. Guillemin and Dr. Edwin Lim at the Australian School for Advanced Medicine (ASAM) on Hormones and Tryptophan metabolism.