My RTTP Journey: Nele Kindt

With a PhD in Medical Sciences from KU Leuven, Nele Kindt began her career as a scientist in the biotech industry before progressing to become CEO of a start-up. Since 2022, she has worked as Valorisation Manager Life Sciences at the University of Antwerp, supporting researchers in bringing innovative discoveries closer to real-world application.

“After four years at the Valorisation Office (TTO) of the University of Antwerp, applying for RTTP recognition felt like a natural next step. Receiving this recognition is a valuable external validation of my professional growth, and a mark of quality that gives me confidence in the knowledge, skills and judgement I bring to my work as a technology transfer professional.”

Recognition of professional growth

For Nele, the decision to apply for RTTP came from a desire to have her professional experience and expertise independently recognised.

Having worked across different environments, from scientific research to business leadership and university knowledge transfer, she saw the designation as an opportunity to assess her professional development against internationally recognised standards.

“Achieving RTTP recognition is meaningful to me both personally and professionally. It represents a quality label that acknowledges my professional development and the standards I apply in my work.”

Beyond this external validation, RTTP has strengthened her confidence in the professional judgement and competencies she brings to her role, knowing that they are recognised by her peers and the wider knowledge transfer community.

Learning through practical experience and peer exchange

Continuous professional development has been an important part of Nele's journey, with ASTP providing opportunities to strengthen her knowledge and learn from professionals working in other knowledge transfer offices.

Among the ASTP courses she has attended, Nele particularly highlights Negotiation Skills for KTOs and Creating Successful Spin-Outs.

Both courses combined practical learning with opportunities to exchange experiences with colleagues from other organisations, something she considers especially valuable.

The approaches and insights shared during these sessions were directly relevant to her daily responsibilities, allowing her to connect formal learning with the challenges encountered in practice.

For Nele, however, professional development is not limited to individual training courses.

She also values the ASTP Annual Conference for the opportunity to meet peers, exchange perspectives and learn from the experiences of other knowledge transfer professionals. Initiatives such as Tea with ASTP offer a different but complementary format, providing accessible insights into practical topics and challenges.

Together, these opportunities have supported her continued professional growth while reinforcing the value of learning from the wider knowledge transfer community.

Taking a different perspective on professional achievements

One of the most valuable aspects of the RTTP application process was the opportunity to revisit a case she had worked on and assess her contribution from a different perspective.

For Nele, this reflection offered something that can be difficult to achieve during the day-to-day demands of knowledge transfer work.

When managing projects, attention naturally turns towards immediate challenges, outstanding tasks and the next steps required to move an innovation forward. This can make it easy to overlook the progress already achieved.

The RTTP application encouraged her to step back and consider the bigger picture, recognising not only the outcomes of her work but also the value of her own contributions throughout the process.

“Applying for RTTP offered a unique opportunity to take an objective look back at one of my cases and reflect on the contributions I had made throughout the process.”

This experience also shapes the advice she would give to other ASTP members considering RTTP recognition.

Rather than viewing the application solely as a formal assessment, Nele encourages professionals to approach it as an opportunity to recognise their achievements and reflect on their development.

“I would encourage anyone considering RTTP to apply and view their work through a different lens. It is a rewarding exercise that demonstrates how dedication and perseverance can also contribute to your personal and professional development.”

For Nele, RTTP recognition has provided both external validation and a new perspective on her professional journey. It acknowledges the expertise she has developed across scientific research, industry and knowledge transfer, while reinforcing the importance of continued learning, reflection and exchange with peers.