We are excited to announce the expansion of our team with a new wonderful colleague: Carl Hansen.

We recently welcomed Carl Hansen to the DENSsolutions family, whose addition underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. Stepping into the role of Senior Operations Manager, Carl brings a wealth of experience and expertise to oversee and optimize various operational facets at DENSsolutions. With a comprehensive background in supply chain management, Carl’s responsibilities encompass leading our Operations team, refining logistics processes and ensuring operational efficiency to support our strategic objectives. By leveraging new technologies and fostering strong collaborations with key stakeholders, Carl’s overarching goal is to establish a world-class operational framework aimed at maximizing efficiency and transforming our supply chain into a strategic asset, driving DENSsolutions’ growth and competitiveness in the market. In this article, we invite you to learn more about Carl’s background, education, experience and pivotal role at DENSsolutions.

Get to know Carl: Personally

“My name is Carl Hansen, and I was born in 1986 in Minnesota, the United States,  but I grew up in Marietta, Georgia just outside of Atlanta. In 2010, I moved to Quito, Ecuador to finalize my MBA and later moved to Bogota, Colombia on 2012 where I met my lovely wife Lina. Together we moved to the Netherlands in 2014. In August 2023 I was naturalized as a Dutch citizen, making me a dual national of the United States and the Netherlands. I speak fluent Spanish and am on a continuous journey to improve my Dutch. I have a 3 ½ year old French Bulldog named Bruna Fiona de l’Avesnois (aka “Goomba”) who I’m absolutely obsessed with. My hobbies are cooking, baking & hosting, collecting and caring for houseplants and playing poker and board games. I love to travel and always look for an excuse to visit new places and eat local cuisine. I believe in giving back to the community and strive to always be either donating to or volunteering for something. A few weeks ago I made my 10th blood donation in the Netherlands at Sanquin, which I’m very proud of.”

“I decided that I wanted my next job to be back in operations, but this time at a smaller company with a strong sense of community, a big growth potential in future-looking technologies, and a product that is not environmentally harmful: Hello DENSsolutions!” – Carl Hansen

Get to know Carl: Professionally

“I did my undergrad at Georgia State University in Spanish Language & Culture minoring in Business Administration. This program was a prerequisite for the International MBA Program where some courses and the professional internship must be done in a Spanish-speaking country. I also hold several professional certifications: CSCP & CPIM from the Association for Supply Chain Management; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from SABIC; Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Georgia, EHBO First Responder from the Dutch Red Cross, among others.

I started working at 14 at McDonald’s where I learned the importance of Spanish in communicating with customers and colleagues. I also was introduced to McDonald’s world-class operational procedures and quality control mechanisms. From the age of 14 to 21 I was continuously employed part-time at restaurants while I studied. Those experiences ultimately inspired me to choose the aforementioned university path. In my late teens and early twenties I backpacked extensively through Latin America which opened my eyes to the lack of resources and education many communities struggle with. That led me to an interest in non-profit work in microfinance and community business development, and ultimately to my MBA internship in Quito, Ecuador at CARE, where I worked on micro-tourism development and AIDS awareness programs in rural indigenous communities. 

After CARE I wanted to stay in South America but couldn’t find full time work in non-profit so I moved to Bogota, Colombia to teach at EAN University, in hopes that academia could also be a meaningful way to serve the community. The university environment very fortunately brought me in contact with many high-profile Colombian business leaders and politicians which ‘re-inspired’ me to get back into corporate life, moving away from non-profit and academia. One of these contacts was a recruiter for SABIC based in the Netherlands who offered me a supply chain position in Bergen op Zoom. So together with Lina we packed our bags and set out on the Dutch adventure. I worked at SABIC for just over 2 years as a Demand Planner where I earned my APICS and Six Sigma credentials. I left SABIC to join HYVA as its Global Sales & Operations Planning Manager where I worked for 3.5 years improving supply chain operations and cross-functional collaboration. I sidestepped from that role into a junior financial controller position to strengthen my financial acumen. After 3.5 years in finance (and 7 years at Hyva) I felt I had learned what I needed about finance and contributed as much as I could to the supply chain function. I decided that I wanted my next job to be back in operations, but this time at a smaller company with a strong sense of community, a big growth potential in future-looking technologies, and a product that is not environmentally harmful: Hello DENSsolutions! I feel thankful and blessed to be here and look forward to growing together with this great group of people and products.”

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We are excited to announce the expansion of our team with two new wonderful colleagues: Andrés, our System Architect (Precision Engineer), and Zhichao, our Field Service Engineer.

We are thrilled to introduce two of our newest colleagues who, just like the rest of our team, exemplify our commitment to innovation and excellence: Dr. Andrés Alvarez and Zhichao Liu. Dr. Andrés Alvarez takes the helm as our System Architect (Precision Engineer), who will play a key role in designing the architecture that underpins our cutting-edge solutions, from design all the way to implementation. With an extensive background in mechanical engineering, Andrés brings a unique blend of technical expertise and a creative touch to his projects. His role is instrumental in ensuring and boosting the reliability, robustness and ease-of-use of our solutions by incorporating top-notch precision engineering practices.

We are also thrilled to welcome Zhichao Liu, our new Field Service Engineer, who will play a crucial role in the installation, service and repair of our in situ electron microscopy solutions, both globally and remotely. With a background in electrochemistry and micro- and nano-engineering/science, and experience in providing high-level training for microscopy techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman microscopy, Zhichao is well-equipped as our new Field Service Engineer to ensure that our valued customers have all the support they need. In this article, we invite you to get to know Andrés and Zhichao better, delving into their background, education and experience as well as their role at DENSsolutions.

Meet Dr. Andrés Alvarez

“My name is Andrés Alvarez, and I come from Bogotá, Colombia. I was born in 1981, the youngest of three siblings. From an early age, I was fascinated with household devices, often taking them apart and putting them right back together. This early curiosity, coupled with the unwavering support of my parents, sparked my lifelong passion for science and engineering. I studied Mechanical Engineering at Universidad Nacional de Colombia, broadening my technical perspective with courses in product design, automation and electrical engineering. As I neared the end of my undergraduate studies, I contemplated a career in academia and dreamed of pursuing further studies abroad. However, a unique opportunity arose when I started working for Alfagres, a notable manufacturer of ceramic tile products and paints. At Alfagres, I was focused on developing production equipment. But my academic dreams were not entirely sidelined as I received a scholarship to pursue my master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering through the Erasmus Mundus program. This led me to study at the renowned universities of Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and Ecole Nationale de Sciences Appliquées de Lyon.

“Outside of my professional journey, I have many interests – I grew up liking the television, music and videogames of the eighties and nineties, with a lot of influence from my older brother. I’ve also always enjoyed fantasy and science fiction novels. Nowadays. I have a wide-ranging taste in music and enjoy playing video games, musical instruments and board games.” – Dr. Andrés Alvarez

My pursuit of knowledge then led me to a PhD in the Netherlands at Delft University of Technology, where I was part of the Intelligent Mechanical Systems group, focusing on the ‘automatic generation of control software for mechatronic systems.’ This project allowed me to collaborate with high-tech companies, expanding my knowledge of system architecting and model-based design. In 2011, I successfully defended my PhD thesis, titled ‘Architecture-centric design: Modeling and applications to control architecture generation.’ Stepping away from academia and transitioning to industry instead, I first worked at Sonion, developing miniature devices integrating electro-acoustical sensors and actuators for the hearing-aid industry. Then I joined the Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center as a Systems Architect, where I contributed to the development of the EVA platform for ophthalmic surgery systems. This product interfaces with a wide range of surgical instruments, providing approximately 10 different surgical functions. It also features a graphical user interface for real-time adjustments, ensuring a seamless match with the surgery plan and addressing any unexpected situations in the operating room. Now, at DENSsolutions, I’m excited to embrace new challenges in the complex and dynamic field of in situ microscopy. This role involves seeking innovative solutions to product architecture, and I believe that my diverse background in academia and industry has equipped me with a unique set of skills to tackle the cutting-edge challenges of this industry.”

Meet Zhichao Liu

“My name is Zhichao Liu, and I was born and raised in China. My scientific journey began at Ocean University of China, where I pursued a degree in polymer materials and engineering. My inspiration to undergo this degree came from understanding the endless potential of polymers in reshaping the future. My studies covered diverse subjects, ranging from the intricacies of mathematics and physics to the fascinating world of polymer materials and electrochemistry. After finishing my bachelor’s degree, I moved to the Netherlands to pursue a master’s degree in Electrochemistry and Nanoscience at Leiden University. It was specifically during this time that I uncovered my passion for electrochemistry and micro- and nano-engineering, setting the course for many of my future endeavors. This passion led me to pursue a PhD in electrochemical sensor fabrication with micro and nano techniques at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). During my doctoral journey, I successfully fabricated electrochemical sensor chips using inkjet printing methods. These cutting-edge chips are adept at monitoring a wide array of molecular levels within the human body, such as dopamine, glucose and tyrosine. Beyond research, I actively participated in various roles. One notable role I undertook was a Lab Instructor at the PME department’s chemistry lab at TU Delft, where I was responsible for providing comprehensive training to all masters, doctoral and post-doctoral students before they used the chemistry lab. I also needed to understand their research objectives, assisting them in devising experimental schemes and alerting them to potential risks and hazards.

“Aside from my professional life, one of my greatest hobbies is swimming, especially in the sea. Beyond my love for swimming, I’ve always had an appreciation for nature, immersing myself in it through hiking expeditions when I can. I also enjoy keeping myself busy with projects where I’m able to exercise my love for invention, so I’m often crafting various gadgets and devices at home. In fact, my latest project to date is designing and developing an electric-foil surfboard.” – Zhichao Liu

Additionally, at TU Delft I served as the instructor for equipment like the electrochemical workstation, and techniques like AFM and Raman microscopy. Moreover, my duties in this capacity included not only training users but also daily maintenance of the instruments, troubleshooting and coordinating repairs with the manufacturers. Importantly, it was during my tenure as a Raman instructor that I became familiar with DENSsolutions. I was particularly impressed to learn of the company’s dedication to technological innovation, successfully developing cutting-edge in situ solutions that hold a significant position in the market. As a Field Service Engineer at DENSsolutions, my primary objective is to ensure optimal performance and longevity of our in situ electron microscopy solutions. I’m committed to providing efficient installations, timely services and prompt repairs to maintain and enhance customer trust and satisfaction. Additionally, I aim to continually learn and gather feedback to appropriately address evolving customer needs, furthering the company’s reputation for excellence.“

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