Dr. Guillermo Amador is an Assistant Professor in the Experimental Zoology department at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on understanding how animals interact with complex environments through locomotion, adhesion, and fluid dynamics. He investigates biological systems like insects, plants, and marine organisms to inspire bio-engineered solutions for robotics, microfluidics, and material science. Amador received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (USA), followed by postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (Germany) and a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship at TU Delft (Netherlands). His expertise spans biophysics, biomaterials, and biomechanics, with a focus on self-cleaning mechanisms and bioadhesion. He collaborates with the 4TU consortium on Dutch Soft Robotics to develop bio-inspired designs. His work bridges fundamental biology with engineering applications, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to solve challenges in robotics and environmental science. Amador teaches courses including Biomimetics and Functional Zoology , integrating his research into education. His research highlights include studies on cuttlefish suction cups, stick insect adhesion, and pollen transport mechanisms in pollinators.
Hauke Smidt is a Personal Professor at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Molecular Ecology group within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. His research focuses on microbial ecology, particularly gut microbiota dynamics, antibiotic resistance, environmental microbiology, and the One Health framework. Smidt has supervised over 50 PhD students and contributed to 519 publications, including studies on microbiome resilience, fermented food impacts, and bioremediation strategies. Education and affiliations include leadership roles in projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, pig health, and drinking water microbiology. His work spans collaborations across Europe and Asia, with notable contributions to understanding microbial community responses to environmental stressors and dietary interventions. Smidt is actively involved in public outreach, as seen in media contributions discussing microbiome research and health benefits. Key projects include aquifer treatment for drinking water, microbiome simulation models, and combating plant pathogens. His awards and recognition are not explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record and project leadership highlight significant academic impact.
Dr. Ting-Feng Lin is an Assistant Professor at the Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics department within the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University, Netherlands. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of learning and memory formation in the cerebellum, particularly how synaptic and intrinsic plasticity mechanisms coordinate to regulate neuronal signaling and behavior. He employs advanced microscopy, optogenetic, and chemogenetic techniques in transparent zebrafish models to study these processes in vivo, with implications for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. 2025: Assistant Professor, Utrecht University 2019-2025: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Chicago 2015-2019: PhD in Neuroscience, Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ) 2010-2014: MS in Physiology, National Taiwan University 2006-2010: BS in Sports Medicine, China Medical University His work investigates how sensory experiences shape cerebellar processing during development, focusing on climbing fiber pathways and their role in sensory prediction errors. His group also studies the interaction between synaptic, intrinsic, and structural plasticity mechanisms in neural circuits, using zebrafish models with genetic modifications (e.g., Grid2 knockout) to model human neurological conditions. Dr. Lin has received scientific recognition including the SfN Trainee Professional Development Award for his work on Purkinje cell plasticity and the JNS Meeting Award for research on parallel fiber ramping activity and LTD. His publications span topics from cerebellar plasticity to voltage-gated K+ channel dynamics, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to neurobiology.
Hyosang Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Robotics Section of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He holds a PhD from KAIST and has held research positions at the Max Planck Institute and University of Stuttgart. His work focuses on tactile sensing technologies, including artificial skin development, soft robotics, and integration of sensory systems with AI. Bachelor's: Mechanical Engineering, Korea University Master's: Robotics and Mechanical Engineering (double major) PhD: Mechanical Engineering, KAIST (2017) Research interests span tactile sensor design, electrical impedance tomography (EIT), and human-robot interaction. His group emphasizes creating scalable, flexible tactile systems for robots. Recent work includes air pressure sensing for force estimation and biomimetic skin materials. Publications highlight innovations in multi-directional force sensing, soft component technologies, and haptic interfaces for autism therapy. He teaches 'Dynamics and Control of Robotic Systems' and serves on the editorial board of npj Robotics . No formal student advisees are listed, though his lab, the Tactile Sensing and Robotic Skin Group , likely involves graduate researchers. His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and technology.
Prof. Han Olff is a Professor of Community and Conservation Ecology at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, within the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences. He leads research on ecosystem structure, species interactions, and theoretical ecology, with fieldwork in savannas, salt marshes, and coastal systems. His work bridges theory and conservation, advising organizations like WWF and ARK Nature. Education: PhD (Cum Laude) in Biology from the University of Groningen (1992), MSc in Biology (1988). Research Interests: Focuses on plant-herbivore-predator interactions, ecosystem engineering, and the impact of human activities on biodiversity. Key themes include savanna ecology, food web dynamics, and restoration ecology. Awards: Gold Medal from Teyler Museum (2006) and PIONIER Award (2002). Active in grants like the EU Horizon 2020 AfricanBioServices project. Teaching: Coordinates courses in Conservation Biology, Ecological Research Skills, and Advanced Population Ecology. Leadership: Directed the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies (2011–2015) and chairs the National Research Agenda's 'Green Route'. Fieldwork: Organizes expeditions to the Serengeti-Mara, Banc d'Arguin, and Bijagos Archipelago to study human-wildlife interactions and ecosystem dynamics.
Hannah van Zanten is a Full Professor in Earth Systems and Global Change at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in sustainable food systems, regenerative agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. Her work emphasizes circular food systems, livestock production optimization, and environmental impact mitigation. She has received multiple awards, including the Storm-van der Chijs award (2015) and several Best Oral Presentation accolades at academic conferences. Her research spans topics like protein upcycling, soil biodiversity, and the environmental implications of livestock feed. She supervises PhD projects on regenerative agriculture, circular food transitions, and ecosystem services in South American grasslands. Recent projects include redesigning European food systems to enhance food security under climate change and modeling circularity impacts. Key research interests include: sustainable diets, land-use efficiency, and the integration of biodiversity conservation with agricultural practices. She has published extensively on topics like earthworm farming, circular protein systems, and the compatibility of animal-sourced foods with circular principles. Awards: 5 major prizes for academic contributions, including innovation in animal sciences and sustainability. Grants/Projects: Leading 19 active projects, including EU-funded initiatives on sustainable livestock and circular food system modeling. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like SUSFANS (Sustainable Food Systems) and Re-Livestock (resilient livestock systems).
Prof. Hannah Dugdale is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , University of Groningen, leading the Dugdale group - Evolutionary Medicine . Her research bridges evolutionary genetics, animal behavior, and microbiome ecology, focusing on wild vertebrate populations. University: University of Groningen School: Faculty of Science and Engineering Academic Rank: Associate Professor Research Interests: Telomere dynamics and aging Gut microbiome evolution Cooperative breeding mechanisms Environmental stress impacts Population genetics Behavioral ecology Article Trends: Her recent work examines telomere length as a biomarker for survival, gut microbiome effects on fitness, and climate/predation impacts on avian populations. Studies often employ long-term ecological datasets and genomic analyses. Grants & Projects: Involved in 14 funded projects, including environmental buffering hypotheses and microbiome research. Collaborates extensively with Prof. Terry Burke (University of Sheffield) and Prof. Jan Komdeur (University of Groningen). Labs & Teams: Leads the Dugdale group in Evolutionary Medicine, collaborating with international teams on vertebrate population studies. Research spans fieldwork, genetic analysis, and ecological modeling.
Prof. Miranda Meuwissen is a Professor of Risk Management and Resilience in Agri-Food Systems at Wageningen University, Netherlands. She specializes in financial management, agricultural insurance, and resilience frameworks for farming systems. Her work focuses on sustainable transitions, climate resilience, and policy design for agricultural systems across Europe and beyond. Education: PhD in 'Insurance as a risk management tool for European Agriculture' (1995-2000). Previous roles include Associate/Assistant Professor positions at Wageningen (2005-2017), and senior researcher roles in agricultural risk management. She coordinates major initiatives such as the EU-funded SURE-Farm project (2017-2021), exploring sustainable and resilient farming systems, and the 4TU-Redesign initiative designing future food systems. Research Interests: Development of resilience assessment frameworks, risk management strategies in agriculture, financing sustainable transitions, and exploring synergies between production efficiency, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic resilience. Notable contributions include frameworks for resilience measurement in farming systems and analysis of pandemic impacts on agricultural resilience. Grants & Leadership: Coordinator of H2020 SURE-Farm (€6.5M+), 4TU-Redesign (2023-2028), and WUR-SSG system transition team (2022-2024). Organizes international seminars on sustainable transitions and annually coordinates the PhD Summer School on Risk Management in Agriculture. Key Projects: Participatory impact assessments of farming systems resilience, analysis of soil quality economic value, and innovative financing models for aquaculture. Her work bridges academic research with policy through collaborations with institutions like IAMO and 4TU Alliance.
Florian Muijres is an Associate Professor and Chairholder at the Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University & Research, where he leads the Animal Flight Lab. His research focuses on the biomechanics, aerodynamics, and flight control of natural flyers such as insects, birds, and bats, with applications in bio-inspired robotics and ecological solutions like mosquito traps and flapping-wing drones. He holds a PhD from Lund University (Sweden) and conducted postdoctoral research at the Dickinson Lab, University of Washington (USA). Research Interests: Merging experimental and computational methods, his work explores primary research on flight mechanics (e.g., mosquito evasion, butterfly gliding) and applied studies (e.g., drone design, pollinator behavior in greenhouses). His lab uses advanced videography and robotic models to study flight dynamics under real-world conditions. Labs & Teams: The Animal Flight Lab collaborates with biologists, physicists, and engineers to investigate flight adaptations in mosquitoes, bumblebees, and pied flycatchers. Projects include developing high-efficiency traps and analyzing flight performance in complex environments.
Prof. Bettina van Hoven holds the Aletta Jacobs Chair in 'Place, Social Change and Collaborative Research for Wellbeing and Justice' at University College Groningen (University of Groningen). She earned her PhD in 1999 from the University of Plymouth with research on post-socialist rural societies in Germany. Her work focuses on participatory methodologies addressing marginalized groups' spatial experiences, including disability, aging, migration, and environmental challenges. She advocates 'slow science' emphasizing ethical collaboration and community co-creation. Education: PhD (University of Plymouth, 1999), studies in Biology and Physical Geography (University of Osnabrück and Plymouth). Research: Integrates visual methods, community partnerships, and arts-based dissemination to produce inclusive knowledge. Key themes include urban wellbeing, disability inclusion, and participatory resilience-building. Teaching: Project-based learning focused on bridging theory and real-world challenges. Advising: Supervised 9 PhD students since 2013, including works on climate action, Syrian refugee masculinities, and aging-in-place. Labs/Teams: Leads the Aletta Jacobs Chair research group, collaborating with organizations like 'This Abled City' to improve urban accessibility. Serves on editorial boards for Emotion, Space and Society and Journal for Undergraduate Ethnography .
Dr. Ben Harvey is an Associate Professor (with Ius Promovendi) in the Perception Group of the Department of Experimental Psychology at Utrecht University, Netherlands, within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. He is based at the Helmholtz Institute and can be contacted at b.m.harvey@uu.nl. Harvey completed his DPhil at Oxford University with Professor Oliver Braddick in 2009, followed by postdoctoral work with Professor Serge Dumoulin at Utrecht. In 2015, he moved to Coimbra on a starter grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology before returning to Utrecht in 2016 as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2019 and has led his own research group since 2015. Harvey's research focuses on characterizing sensory and cognitive systems in the human brain, particularly neural responses and computations within these systems. His work combines cutting-edge neuroimaging approaches with computational modeling and behavioral experiments. Initially studying the early visual system as a model of neural processing, he extended invasive animal neurophysiological approaches to non-invasive human neuroimaging. His recent work investigates neural responses underlying cognition in the human association cortex, examining how visual space and number processing differs between cultures and in clinical disorders. His fingerprint reveals expertise in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Numerosity, Receptive Field, Visual Cortex, Population Receptive Field, Nerve Potential, Early Visual Cortex, and Topographic Maps. His publication record demonstrates significant impact, with works like 'Topographic representation of numerosity in the human parietal cortex' (2013) receiving over 360 citations. His research spans visual neuroscience, with emphasis on how the brain processes visual information, attention mechanisms, and numerical cognition, revealing generalized quantity processing systems in the human brain. Award for highest-rated abstract (2013) Brain Centre Rudolph Magnus Research Award (Best Paper of the Year) (2014) Causal link between cortical organization and conscious perception: human fMRI and electrophysiology (2009, 2010) Harvey has been actively engaged in knowledge dissemination, with multiple invited talks at institutions including INSERM in Paris (2016) and the University of Parma (2015). His research has received significant media attention, with interviews on National Public Radio (NPR) USA, Livescience.com, and Science Magazine in 2013. Beyond academic publications, he writes popular science articles exploring the relationship between visual neuroscience and visual arts. As part of the Helmholtz Institute Experimental Psychology research program, Harvey collaborates widely to investigate visual space and number processing across different populations, contributing to our understanding of how these cognitive functions vary between cultures and in clinical disorders.
Mirjam Kabel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Chemistry at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Wageningen Institute for Food and Biobased Research (VLAG). Her research is highly interdisciplinary, focusing on the structural and functional properties of plant polysaccharides, lignin, and dietary fibers. Her research interests lie at the intersection of food chemistry, biochemistry, and animal nutrition. She investigates the molecular structure of plant cell wall components such as arabinoxylan, cellulose, and pectin, and their behavior during digestion, particularly in pigs. Her work also explores the enzymatic modification of these polymers using fungal enzymes like lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases and cellobiose dehydrogenases. The recent trend in her publications shows a strong emphasis on advanced analytical techniques—including NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chromatography—to characterize complex biopolymers. Her studies often involve collaboration across disciplines, including microbiology, materials science, and agricultural sciences, reflecting the broad applicability of her research in food, feed, and biobased products. She actively supervises multiple PhD candidates, indicating her role in training the next generation of scientists. Her current projects include the use of fungal enzymes to modify pectin, the role of seaweed cell walls in vegetative propagation, and the application of lignin as a tracer in animal digestion. She has presented at conferences and delivered lectures, including on the separation and identification of pectin oligosaccharides. Her work has been supported through various funded research projects, demonstrating sustained academic and institutional engagement.
Ine van der Fels-Klerx is an Associate Professor in Business Economics at Wageningen University & Research, with a focus on food safety and risk management. She is also a Programme and Account Management lead, overseeing interdisciplinary projects. Her work integrates economic analysis with food safety challenges, particularly addressing mycotoxin contamination, climate change impacts, and circular economy solutions. Key collaborations include projects on early warning systems for mycotoxins and cost-effective monitoring strategies for contaminants in food supply chains. Her research spans topics such as alternative protein sources, insect-based feed production, and resilient supply chain designs. Notable projects include developing decision support tools for risk-based monitoring and assessing the economic feasibility of food safety interventions. She has advised multiple PhD candidates, including those studying mycotoxin management in maize and climate change effects on aflatoxins. Media contributions highlight her expertise in food safety, including interviews on predicting grain contamination and smart monitoring techniques. She actively participates in workshops and conferences, discussing digitalization in food systems and the role of artificial intelligence in food safety prevention.
Dr. Floris van den Berg is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University's Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development within the Department of Environmental Sciences. He specializes in environmental ethics, applied ethics, and philosophy of science, focusing on topics like sustainability, democracy, animal rights, and freedom of speech. His research explores societal challenges through interdisciplinary lenses, including the 'Institutions for Open Societies' initiative and 'Sustainability Education and Engagement.' Van den Berg's media presence reflects his engagement with contentious issues: he critiques woke culture's rigidity, defends academic freedom regarding controversial topics, and debates veganism's ethical foundations. Notable works include his manifesto 'Green Liberalism' advocating market-driven environmental solutions and critiques of corporate sustainability practices. Though currently holds no listed awards, his media contributions emphasize public philosophy's role in societal discourse. His teaching involves courses like 'Environmental Ethics and Sustainable Development' and 'Philosophy of Science and Ethics.' No student advisees or grants are explicitly mentioned, but his research teams engage with themes like bottom-up societal initiatives and future food systems. He advocates for open academic debate while addressing modern ethical dilemmas in education, environment, and culture.
Joana Falcao Salles is a Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen, leading the Salles Lab focused on Microbial Community Ecology. Her research integrates ecological and evolutionary theories to understand microbial community formation and their environmental impacts. She holds a PhD from Leiden University (2005) and has held academic positions since 2008. She serves as Treasurer on the Executive Board of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME). Her expertise spans microbial ecology in soils, plants, and animals, with a focus on microbial diversity, invasion dynamics, and symbiotic relationships. Key projects include studying salt marsh microbiomes, plant-microbe interactions in agriculture, and the role of microbiomes in host immunity. She has secured grants for initiatives like PotatoMETAbiome and INSECTFEED, advancing sustainable agriculture and circular economy solutions. Salles has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work on microbial solutions to climate change, antibiotic resistance, and gut-brain axis interactions. Her lab collaborates globally, addressing challenges in environmental sustainability and public health.
