Prof. Dr. Arwen Deuss is a full Professor at the Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University , specializing in Seismology . Her research focuses on mapping Earth's deep interior using global seismology, with particular emphasis on mantle discontinuities, core structure, and whole Earth oscillations. She integrates seismological data with mineral physics, geodynamic modeling, and geochemistry to understand planetary evolution. Key research areas: Earth's Deep Interior, Global Seismology, Mantle Discontinuities, Inner Core Anisotropy Teaches courses in Theoretical Seismology, Earth Systems, and Planetary Interior Structure Developed open-source tools like FrosPy for normal mode analysis Her recent work explores 3D mantle attenuation, tilted transverse isotropy in the inner core, and seismic wave coupling. She leads projects connecting seismic tomography with geodynamic processes and maintains active collaborations in international seismological research.
Liesje Mommer is a Professor at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Department of Environmental Sciences and the Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group. She leads the Wageningen Biodiversity Initiative (WBI), focusing on biodiversity's role in food systems and planetary health. Her research investigates how plant-root interactions with soil fungi influence ecosystem functioning, particularly in grassland biodiversity experiments. She is recognized as a Highly Cited Scientist (2021-2022) and has contributed to paradigm shifts in root economics and functional trait ecology. Her work bridges ecology and policy, advising on soil health legislation and public awareness campaigns. Key research themes include belowground disease dynamics, root trait variation, and the application of biodiversity principles to sustainable agriculture. Notable collaborations include leading the international sROOT and RootFun workgroups with Prof. Alex Weigelt (University of Leipzig). Literature highlights include a 2023 New Phytologist study on fungal-root trait relationships and a Nature reflection paper on trait selection methodologies. Awards include the Hugo de Vries Award for her student Eline Ampt's thesis on plant-pathogen interactions.
Dr. Darshan Vigneswaran is a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences , University of Amsterdam, affiliated with the Transnational Configurations, Conflict and Governance programme group. His research focuses on migration studies, international relations, and urban governance in Africa and beyond. Institution: University of Amsterdam Programme: Transnational Configurations, Conflict and Governance Contact: D.V.Vigneswaran@uva.nl Research Interests: Vigneswaran examines migration control, biopolitics, and territoriality through critical lenses, often challenging conventional frameworks in international relations and urban governance. His work spans empirical studies on deportation systems, mobility regimes, and the intersection of technology with migration enforcement. Scientific Trends: His recent publications analyze European migration policies, the terrestrial bias in international relations, and the socio-political dimensions of gentrification and mobilities. Notable subfields include refugee governance, urban violence prevention, and historical migration narratives.
Fabian Ferrari is an Assistant Professor in Cultural AI at Utrecht University, working in the Department of Media and Culture Studies within the Humanities faculty. He is affiliated with the Centre for Digital Humanities and is a member of the focus area Governing the Digital Society . Previously, he served as a Postdoctoral Researcher (2022-2024) in the same focus area and was a Visiting Scholar (2021-2022) at the Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture and Technology in Montréal. Dr. Ferrari's research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and society. His work examines AI governance, algorithmic power, digital labor, and the infrastructural geographies of AI systems. He investigates how public investments in AI infrastructure can reconcile competitiveness with public value creation, particularly through his upcoming NWO-funded Veni project Conditional Computing: Reimagining the Governance of Public AI Infrastructure , which begins in January 2026. His publication record demonstrates significant scholarly impact, with articles in top journals including Nature Machine Intelligence , Cultural Studies , New Media & Society , Big Data & Society , and Competition & Change . He has also co-edited the open-access book Digital Work in the Planetary Market published by MIT Press. Ferrari's work is frequently cited and has influenced policy discussions, as evidenced by multiple policy citations across his publications. NWO Veni grant for research on public AI infrastructure Dr. Ferrari's research collaborations span multiple institutions and international teams. He has frequently co-authored with scholars including Mark Graham, José van Dijck, and Anne Helmond. His work bridges technical, social, and policy dimensions of AI systems, with particular attention to labor implications and governance frameworks. He is actively engaged in both academic and public discourse on AI's societal implications, contributing to progressive policy visions for generative AI.
Prof. Ajay Bailey is a Professor of Human Geography and Spatial Planning at Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences, serving as Head of the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning. His research focuses on planetary health, ageing, and inclusive urban development in the Global South. Specializing in anthropology and demography, he examines challenges faced by rapidly urbanizing communities in India, Bangladesh, Curaçao, and the Netherlands. His work emphasizes integrating human-centered approaches to health systems, urban infrastructure, and social equity. Bailey leads international research teams and has driven initiatives like the MIGFOODCITY project addressing migration and urban planning. He actively organizes academic conferences, such as the 2023 panel on 'Mundane Geographies of Food'. His teaching and mentorship aim to build capacity for young researchers in qualitative methods and transnational studies. Research interests include (planetary) health equity, intergenerational relations, and infrastructure accessibility for marginalized groups. His recent publications highlight barriers to urban mobility for older adults, safety in public transport for women, and long-term impacts of diseases like chikungunya. Bailey’s work bridges demographic analyses with environmental challenges, advocating for resilient, inclusive cities.
Marten Scheffer is a Full Professor at Wageningen University & Research , specializing in Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management . His work bridges ecology, climate science, and mental health, focusing on tipping points in ecosystems and social systems. He has received the prestigious Spinoza Prize 2009 , Netherlands' highest scientific honor. Research Interests: His research explores Anthropocene dynamics , ecological resilience , climate change impacts , and psychiatric disorders through dynamical systems theory . Notable projects include studying boreal forest collapse and trust dynamics in economies. His work also addresses global sustainability and early warning signals for critical transitions in social-ecological systems. Recent Articles: His 2025 publications highlight trust erosion in weak governance , ecological tipping points , and revolutionizing psychiatric diagnosis . 2024 work includes computational models of panic disorders and resilience indicators for disease outbreaks. Advising & Grants: He supervises PhD students including Agrawal (river commons), Capriati (marine protected areas), and Delecroix (infection warnings). Active in projects funded across ecosystem resilience , AI applications , and climate policy . Labs & Collaborations: Collaborates globally on tipping points research and mental health systems. Datasets include boreal forest dynamics and human climate niche models.
Frans van Lunteren is a Professor of History of Natural Sciences at Leiden University, specializing in the Dutch natural sciences between 1815 and 1940, particularly physics. His research examines science-society interactions, institutional roles of universities and research institutes, and the cultural dimensions of scientific progress. He holds a PhD awarded at Teylers Museum at age 68, demonstrating late-career academic achievement. His work bridges historical analysis with modern scientific communication, emphasizing the role of instruments and internationalization in scientific development. Education: PhD in History of Science (Teylers Museum, 2017) Affiliations: Leiden Observatory, Navegar Foundation (Portugal), European planetary science networks Research focuses on determinism debates in early 20th-century science, KNMI and KNAW institutional roles, and the material culture of scientific instruments. He has advised five PhD students and pioneered fulldome planetarium shows like Camping with the Stars , blending education and entertainment. His publications span peer-reviewed journals, popular science articles, and international astronomy outreach programs like IYA2009. Key contributions include the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Final Report and Venus Express mission analysis. His work highlights interdisciplinary approaches to science history, combining archival research with public engagement initiatives.
Prajal Pradhan is an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, affiliated with the Integrated Research on Energy, Environment & Society (IREES). He holds a Visiting Scientist position at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). His research focuses on climate change mitigation, sustainable development goals (SDGs), food systems, and urban resilience. He earned a PhD in Geoecology from the University of Potsdam and holds degrees in Environmental Management (University of Kiel) and Agricultural Engineering (Tribhuvan University). Education: PhD in Geoecology, University of Potsdam (2015) MSc in Environmental Management, University of Kiel (2008) BEng in Agricultural Engineering, Tribhuvan University (2006) Research Interests: Pradhan’s work addresses systemic sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. Key themes include SDG interactions, climate-resilient food systems, urban transformations, and policy frameworks for long-term sustainability. He emphasizes synergies between environmental protection, social equity, and economic development. Grants & Projects: ERC Starting Grant (€1.5M, 2023–2028): Transformation towards long-term sustainability beyond SDGs DAAD-ForHimSDG (€325k, 2022–2025): Himalayan sustainable development education BIOCLIMAPATHS (€400k, 2019–2021): EU bioeconomy resilience Awards: ERC Starting Grant 2022 Best Sustainable Development Article (1st, 2022; 2nd, 2021) Mondialogo Engineering Award 2007 Labs & Teams: Leads IREES research group on climate policy and SDG integration. Collaborates with PIK’s Urban Transformations group and international networks like the Global Land Programme.
Merve Atasoy is an External Researcher at Wageningen University & Research, holding a PhD from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), awarded in September 2020. Her research focuses on microbial-driven solutions for sustainable resource recovery, wastewater treatment, and circular economy transitions. She specializes in optimizing bioreactors for volatile fatty acid production and studying microbial responses to extreme conditions like low pH environments. Education: PhD in Environmental Biotechnology from Royal Institute of Technology (2017–2021). Awarded on 10 September 2020. Research Interests: Her work integrates microbial community dynamics, bioprocess engineering, and eco-friendly waste valorization strategies. Key areas include enhancing wastewater treatment efficiency, developing nature-based solutions for cities, and leveraging microbial consortia for targeted biochemical production. She explores both fundamental mechanisms (e.g., acid stress responses) and applied technologies (e.g., reactor design). Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes low-pH microbial systems, circular economy frameworks, and SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance. She has contributed to understanding microbial acid tolerance, optimizing anaerobic bioreactors, and designing sustainable wastewater resource recovery facilities. Collaborations: Active in international networks like the COST Action on acid-impacted microbiology and interdisciplinary teams addressing planetary health through microbial innovation.
Dr. Eline Smit is a researcher affiliated with the Department of Persuasive Communication at the University of Amsterdam within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Her work focuses on health communication, digital health interventions, public health policy, and behavioral psychology. She has extensively studied the impact of social media on health behaviors, including mental health support, food norms, and environmental decision-making. Her research interests include tailoring health messages to individual preferences, analyzing digital health disparities, and evaluating the effectiveness of health communication strategies. Notable projects involve investigating pandemic-era public health communication, the carbon footprint of healthcare systems, and the role of autonomy-supportive language in health messages. Eline has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects addressing smoking cessation, weight management, and sustainable food choices. Her work often combines quantitative methods with qualitative insights, emphasizing evidence-based interventions and policy recommendations. She has contributed to global health initiatives, such as a worldwide experiment on social distancing messaging during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eline’s publications consistently highlight the intersection of technology, behavior, and health equity. She advocates for inclusive digital health solutions that bridge access gaps and empower diverse populations through persuasive communication strategies.
Michelle van Vliet is a Full Professor of Water Quality and Sustainable Water Systems at Utrecht University's Department of Physical Geography within the College of Geosciences. Her research addresses global water scarcity, integrating water quality, climate change, and sectoral water use. She leads the ERC Starting Grant B-WEX project and the NWO-VIDI initiative, focusing on balancing clean water and energy provision under climate extremes. She holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences from Wageningen University (2012, Cum Laude) and an MSc in Physical Geography from Utrecht University (2006, Cum Laude). Her work includes developing the DynQual global water quality model and advocating for policy-relevant solutions through collaborations with the World Bank, European Commission, and IPCC. She has supervised 11 PhD students, 4 postdocs, and over 50 MSc students. Michelle chairs Environmental Research: Water and participates in advisory roles for Dutch water policy. She is a member of the Utrecht Young Academy since 2021. Awards include the ERC Starting Grant, NWO-VIDI/VENI Grants, and recognition for her PhD and academic excellence. Her research spans energy-water interdependencies, river salinity, and global wastewater management, emphasizing data-driven approaches and sustainable systems.
Dr. Oliver Plümper is an active researcher at Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences, specifically within the Earth Sciences department and the Structural Geology & Electron Microscopy group. His work spans multiple disciplines at the intersection of geology, chemistry, physics, and materials science, with a particular focus on understanding processes occurring at the nanoscale that influence large-scale geological phenomena. Plümper's research interests center around fluid-rock/mineral interaction, nano(geo)sciences, mineral physics, and rock deformation. He employs a multi-faceted approach that combines natural observations, experimental techniques, micro and nano-analytics, and numerical modeling to address fundamental questions in Earth sciences. His work particularly emphasizes how nanoscale processes in the Earth's interior can influence large-scale geological structures and phenomena, including mountain building, earthquake generation, and the carbon cycle. His current research portfolio includes several major projects: the ERC Starting grant 'nanoEARTH' investigating mineral-water interactions deep within the Earth; the Dutch Research Council Vidi project 'RELEASE' studying carbon cycling in subduction zones; the EU INFRAIA project 'EXCITE NETWORK' as co-Principal Investigator supporting access to advanced imaging facilities; the UIO-UU project 'serpAI' using artificial intelligence to study mantle rock alteration; and the UU-NIOZ project 'I-NANO' examining iron nanoparticles' effects on ocean biogeochemistry. These projects collectively demonstrate his focus on understanding how nanoscale processes influence planetary-scale phenomena. Plümper is a strong advocate for open science and transdisciplinary research, leading a diverse team of scientists from earth sciences, chemical engineering, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. He actively contributes to the Utrecht University Electron Microscopy Center and is involved in multiple initiatives promoting open access to analytical facilities. His collaborative approach is evident in his extensive publication record across high-impact journals including Nature Geoscience, PNAS, and Geology, with research spanning from fundamental mineral physics to applications in geothermal energy, raw material extraction, and carbon storage.
Dr. Yanhao Lin is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Department of Geology and Geochemistry, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His research focuses on experimental geochemistry and mineral physics, particularly magma dynamics, oxygen fugacity effects, and hydrogen transport in Earth's interior. He collaborates with institutions globally, contributing to understanding planetary evolution and mantle processes. Research Interests: Magma ocean dynamics and early Earth differentiation Hydrogen partitioning in magmatic systems Oxygen fugacity control mechanisms Subduction zone water transport Lunar basalt formation processes Recent work highlights experimental studies on lunar mare basalts (2025), magma ocean melting (2024), and core-mantle boundary hydration (2022). His studies integrate high-pressure experiments with computational modeling to address fundamental geodynamic questions. No scientific awards explicitly listed. Supervised 1 PhD thesis but no student names provided. Collaborations include researchers from institutions like Carnegie Institution (Mao), University of Tokyo (Katsura), and ETH Zurich (Walter).
Dr. Andrew L. Miller is a postdoctoral researcher at Utrecht University and the National Institute for Subatomic Physics (Nikhef), focusing on gravitational wave detection and dark matter studies. His work bridges theoretical physics and computational methods within the LIGO/Virgo collaborations. PhD from Sapienza University of Rome and University of Florida MS in Physics from University of Florida BS in Physics from The College of New Jersey Andrew's research centers on gravitational waves from neutron stars , primordial black holes , and dark matter interactions . His methodological innovations include: Machine learning algorithms for detector noise classification Pattern-recognition techniques for continuous wave detection Semicoherent analysis for ultralight boson clouds Frequency-Hough transforms for binary inspirals His publications cover LIGO/Virgo data analysis, Einstein Telescope design, and LISA Pathfinder applications for dark matter detection. He has delivered tutorials on: Machine learning classification Parameter estimation in gravitational waves Frequency-Hough transforms Generalized search frameworks
Hendrik Boogaard is a Researcher at Wageningen University & Research in the Department of Earth Observation and Environmental Informatics. His work focuses on agricultural productivity, remote sensing, and data management, with significant contributions to global crop monitoring systems like WorldCereal and WOFOST. Research Interests : Crop yield modeling, irrigation systems, cropland mapping, data harmonization, and machine learning applications in agriculture. Recent Projects : WorldCereal Reference Data Module, FAIR data guidelines for pig research, and agrometeorological indicator datasets. His publications emphasize improving agricultural forecasting and data infrastructure. He actively participates in workshops and webinars to advance global agriculture monitoring initiatives.
