Han Wösten

Han Wösten is a Professor of Molecular Microbiology at Utrecht University. He leads the Master program in Bio Inspired Innovation and coordinates the Fungal Biology track in Environmental Biology. His research focuses on fungal growth processes, sustainable material development (e.g., mycelium-based composites), and environmental applications like waste recycling and pollutant degradation. Wösten has supervised 48 PhD students and secured major grants, including EU H2020 projects (e.g., FUNGAR, MY-FI) and Novo Nordisk Foundation funding.

Research interests span microbiology, fungal biology, and sustainable innovation. Wösten pioneers interdisciplinary work in bio-art and mycelium design, creating eco-friendly alternatives to plastics and textiles. His studies explore fungal genetics, stress responses, and applications in circular economies.

Wösten's recent articles emphasize fungal materials, genomics, and sustainability. Trends include mycelium composite mechanics, genetic regulation in Aspergillus, bioremediation, and sustainable protein production. His work bridges fundamental science with industrial applications.

Awards & Honors:

• STW Simon Stevin Meester (2008)
• ZonMW BioArt & Design Awards (2014, 2017)
• Honorary Member, Royal Netherlands Society for Microbiology (2024)
• Certificate of Excellence, European Mycological Association (2023)

He directs labs on fungal biotechnology and sustainable materials, collaborating globally on projects like fungal architecture and textile innovation. Grants include €5.4M for MY-FI (textile industry innovation) and €4M for Fungataria (synthetic fungal-bacterial consortia).