Mariken is a health scientist by training who specialized in healthy human behavior. She started her professional career at NOC*NSF promoting health enhancing physical activity for all ages. Since then she worked in regional public health developing whole school health strategies and coordinated research programs into youth care. In 2013 she joined the ministry of health as deputy director of sports. Since 2017 she is with RIVM where she directed the center for Health & Society and started the Corona Behavior Unit. Starting this autumn Mariken is supporting the BeweegAlliantie (HEPA-alliance) with a broad focus on science, innovation & monitoring