Your First Point of Contact at CometLab: Meet Carmen Voeten and Aleksandra Szumiec

Whether you’re looking to develop a prototype, organise a workshop or event, or explore what CometLab has to offer, Carmen Voeten and Aleksandra Szumiec from the CometLab Operations Team are among the first people you’ll meet. Together, they help keep the makerspace running day to day while making it easier for users to access its facilities, equipment and expertise.

Carmen has been involved with CometLab since before the building opened. What started as a student job while the makerspace was still under construction grew into a full-time role supporting its users and daily activities. Her interest in makerspaces goes back to her studies in Industrial Product Design, where she discovered the value of having a place where people can prototype, experiment and learn from one another. 

“Everybody was willing to help each other. If you had a question, there was always someone available,” she says. “That environment really inspired me and helped me throughout my own projects.” 

Today, Carmen works closely with the people using CometLab. She helps users learn to operate equipment safely, supports workshops and events, and assists anyone looking to turn an idea into a prototype. “It’s mostly about being here, and making sure there’s somebody people can turn to if they have a problem,” she says. “Whether it’s with 3D printing or if they want to organise an event but don’t know how.” 

Aleksandra joined CometLab with a background in human-centred technology, UX design and project management. Although new to the space sector, she was drawn to the opportunity to apply her experience to improve how people interact with CometLab. “I don’t have a space background myself, but I’m always curious about learning new contexts,” she says. “The role matched CometLab’s current focus on digitalising internal and external processes and making them more user-friendly.” 

One of her priorities is improving how people discover and access CometLab, from finding information online to booking facilities and becoming active users of the makerspace. “When someone wants to know about this place, they’ll most likely visit the website first,” she explains. “I want to help improve that journey, from discovering CometLab to becoming an active user.” 

As she gets to know the community, Aleksandra has been struck by the variety of people using CometLab and the wider NL Space Campus ecosystem. “Some have worked in engineering or research, others have built startups or come from larger organisations. Everyone brings different knowledge and experience, creating opportunities to learn from one another.” 

Together, Carmen and Aleksandra help make CometLab an accessible place for experimentation and collaboration. Whether someone needs advice on using equipment, wants to organise a workshop, is looking for the right expertise or simply wants to explore what the makerspace can offer, they are there to guide them. 

For Carmen, CometLab’s accessibility is one of its greatest strengths within the wider NL Space Campus ecosystem. “People know they can come here,” she says. She hopes to see even more makers, entrepreneurs, researchers and experts working alongside one another. “If we can facilitate this, then I’m happy.” 

Whether you’re planning your first visit, looking for support with a project, or interested in organising an activity, Carmen and Aleksandra are here to help. 

Visit CometLab website

Contact CometLab via email info@cometlab.nl