Elise Pelgrim is a first-year PhD candidate at the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), and Wageningen University (WUR). After obtaining a degree in both Sensory Science (WUR) and Health Food Innovation Management (Maastricht University), she gained brief experience in consumer and sensory research in the food industry by working for consumer research agency Essensor B.V. and the coffee company JDE Peet’s.
In her current role, Elise has the ambition to contribute to the reduction of tobacco and nicotine related harm. She investigates the role of sensory properties and marketing on the attractiveness of heat sticks. The results can be used to advise policy makers on heat stick regulations to discourage use.