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Lieke MelsenView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Hydrological Modeling
• Sociology of Science
• Uncertainty Analysis
• +3 more

Lieke Melsen is a Senior Lecturer and researcher at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in hydrological modeling and the sociology of science within the Department of Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management. She focuses on understanding the social and technical dimensions of hydrological modeling practices, including model selection, uncertainty beyond technical factors, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her research employs methods like large ensemble modeling, interviews with modelers, and bibliometric analyses. She teaches courses such as 'Water and Air Flow: Numerical Techniques', 'Catchment Hydrology', and 'Advanced Hydrological System Analysis' in the MSc program 'Earth and Environment'. Her work includes projects like developing drought indicators in Brazil and socio-hydrological simulations to analyze drought impacts. Melsen holds a PhD and MSc, and recently secured a €1.5M ERC grant for research on modeling practices. Her scientific contributions span drought impact analysis, model uncertainty, and interdisciplinary methodologies. She advises on MSc theses and internships related to hydrology and environmental hydraulics. Key awards include the European Research Council grant, recognizing her innovative contributions to hydrological science and socio-technical research.

Akaj KlippelView profile

Professor

• Virtual Reality
• Spatial Cognition
• Geovisualization
• +4 more

Prof. Akaj Klippel is a Personal Professor at Wageningen University & Research's Department of Cultural Geography. He holds a master's degree in physical geography from the University of Trier and a Ph.D. in Informatics and Mathematics from the University of Bremen. Previously, he was a professor at Penn State University and directed the Center for Immersive Experiences. His research focuses on immersive technologies (XR, VR), spatial cognition, and geovisualization applications in fields like environmental science, public health, and education. Education: Master's (University of Trier), Ph.D. (University of Bremen), postdoctoral roles at the University of Melbourne and UC Santa Barbara. Research Interests: Virtual reality for behavioral studies, geomatics, embodiment in digital environments, and participatory design of healthy urban spaces. His work bridges geospatial data, cognitive science, and immersive technology to address challenges like food environment transitions and wildfire management. Key Projects: Leverages VR to study food consumption patterns and designs collaborative digital twins for environmental monitoring. Active in developing serious games for sustainability education and virtual field experiences for STEM learning. Lab/Tech Affiliations: Former director of Penn State's Center for Immersive Experiences; currently integrates VR into Wageningen's cultural geography research.

Jantsje van Loon-SteensmaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Climate Adaptation
• Nature-Based Flood Protection
• Water Management
• +3 more

Dr. Jantsje van Loon-Steensma is an Assistant Professor in Earth Systems and Global Change at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in nature-based climate adaptation and sustainable flood defence systems. She holds a parallel role as Lector (equivalent to Assistant Professor) in Nature Based River Management at Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences. Her research focuses on integrating ecological processes into flood protection infrastructure, particularly in coastal and riverine zones, emphasizing co-benefits for nature, recreation, and socio-economic sectors. Education: Coordinates the BSc minor 'Disaster Risk Management and Nature Based Solutions' and supervises MSc thesis research. Teaches advanced courses on water stress modeling and environmental systems analysis across multiple graduate programs. Research Projects: Leads subproject 'Shared use of flood defences' within the All-Risk Program, exploring multi-functional dike design. Active in Wadden Coast sustainability initiatives (Weerbare Waddenkust) and the EU-funded WaterLANDS project for wetland restoration. Oversees the Living Lab Hedwige-Prosper Polder experiment in managed realignment strategies. Expertise spans eco-engineering, delta management, and policy integration for climate-resilient infrastructure. Collaborates with Rijkswaterstaat (Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure) as a member of the Water Safety Expert Network.

• Landscape Ecology
• Statistics
• Plant Ecology
• +3 more

Sophie Rickebusch is a Lecturer at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Earth Systems and Global Change department. She coordinates courses such as the European Workshop (ESA60312), Introduction to Environmental Systems Analysis (ESA20506), and Sustainable Solutions. Additionally, she serves as secretary of the Examining Board Environment & Landscape (EBEL). Her expertise spans Landscape Ecology, Statistics, Plant Ecology, Ecosystem Modelling, Land Use Dynamics, and Forest Dynamics. Her research interests focus on integrating spatial and temporal dynamics of ecological systems with socio-economic factors. Notable projects include contributions to the CLIMSAVE and PLUREL initiatives, exploring climate change impacts and land-use futures. She occasionally supervises MSc theses and internships, fostering student engagement in environmental systems analysis. Rickebusch’s work emphasizes connectivity conservation, urban growth modelling, and scenario-based planning. Her publications address topics like olive grower behavior in disease control, peri-urban land-use trends, and habitat quality assessments for biodiversity. She actively participates in interdisciplinary efforts to address global environmental challenges through modelling and policy integration.

Alvaro Lau SarmientoView profile

Lecturer

• Remote Sensing
• Forest Ecology
• Geographical Information Systems
• +3 more

Alvaro Lau Sarmiento is a Remote Sensing Lecturer at the Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing, part of Wageningen University & Research. He coordinates educational activities including courses like GRS10306 and supervises MSc theses and internships. His research focuses on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) applications in tropical forest monitoring, 3D forest modeling, and biomass assessment. Education: MSc in Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing (2014), Wageningen University BSc in Animal Science (2007), Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Peru Research Interests: Alvaro specializes in integrating TLS and remote sensing techniques to study forest structure and carbon dynamics. His work emphasizes tropical ecosystems, combining field data with advanced 3D modeling to improve understanding of tree architecture, crown interactions (e.g., crown shyness), and forest degradation impacts. He actively collaborates with startups and companies on applied 3D modeling projects. Key Projects: 3DForMod (2018–2020): Developed frameworks for monitoring tropical forest GHG emissions using remote sensing and 3D modeling. Terrestrial Laser Scanning Research Lead: Coordinates TLS data collection and analysis initiatives across tropical and European forests. Advising & Collaboration: Supervises student internships and coordinates MGI thesis rings. Engages in interdisciplinary collaborations to bridge academic research with industry applications.

Arend LigtenbergView profile

Assistant Professor

• Complex Adaptive Systems
• Agent-Based Modeling
• Spatial Planning
• +5 more

Arend Ligtenberg is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing at Wageningen University & Research. He holds a M.Sc. in Environmental Planning and Design (1996, cum laude) and a Ph.D. in Social Science (2007) from Wageningen University, focusing on Multi-Agent Systems for land use simulation. His research interests include complex adaptive systems, agent-based modeling, participatory gaming, and spatial planning. He teaches courses such as Spatial Modeling and Statistics, GIS fundamentals, and advanced applications for both Master’s programs in Geo-Information and inter-university programs like GIMA. Key projects include the SESAM initiative for sustainable agro-forestry management and exploring urban digital twins. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining data science, geoscience, and health psychology to address challenges like water governance and urban resilience. Ligtenberg is involved in research innovation and educational initiatives, including the Wageningen Teaching Academy. He has contributed to numerous projects in Vietnam, Kenya, and the Netherlands, focusing on sustainable land use, mangrove conservation, and participatory spatial planning.

• Conservation Biology
• Wildlife Management
• Protected Area Effectiveness
• +4 more

Dr. Arash Ghoddousi is an Assistant Professor at the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group of Wageningen University. His research focuses on conservation effectiveness of protected areas, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and the ecology of big cats and mountain ungulates in regions like southwest Asia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. He emphasizes the integration of social-ecological systems to address conservation challenges. Key research interests include spatial patterns of poaching, wildlife connectivity, and the role of human behavior in shaping conservation outcomes. His work bridges ecology and social sciences to develop practical solutions for biodiversity protection. Recent publications highlight innovative frameworks for assessing protected area effectiveness and the importance of considering anthropogenic resistance in wildlife corridor planning. He advocates for multidisciplinary approaches to ensure long-term sustainability of conservation efforts. Dr. Ghoddousi’s expertise spans conflict management, conservation policy, and monitoring tools. His contributions to understanding socio-ecological interactions have advanced strategies for human-wildlife coexistence in human-dominated landscapes.

• Conservation Biology
• Geospatial Data Science
• Artificial Intelligence in Ecology
• +3 more

Elham Ebrahimi is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in quantitative ecology and conservation biology. She focuses on integrating geospatial data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and ecological analysis to study biodiversity patterns and species interactions under global environmental changes. Her work includes analyzing data from satellite imagery, camera traps, and citizen science to inform conservation strategies. She actively contributes to the international Biodiversa+ BIG PICTURE project, developing AI-driven pipelines for biodiversity monitoring across Europe. Her research bridges theoretical ecology, geospatial techniques, and biodiversity data to address challenges like protected area effectiveness and species community dynamics. Key collaborations include work on camera trap data standardization through an R package and presentations at conferences like ECM9. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to strengthen global conservation efforts.

• Plastic Pollution
• Environmental Hydraulics
• River Systems
• +3 more

Tim van Emmerik is an Associate Professor in Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on plastic pollution dynamics in river systems, remote sensing techniques, and environmental hydraulics. He leads and co-supervises multiple PhD projects addressing global plastic transport, river monitoring, and urban plastic pollution solutions. Key projects include 'Revealing underwater macroplastic pollution using acoustic backscatter' and 'Solving the Urban Plastic Soup.' He is actively involved in developing monitoring protocols and datasets for plastic detection, collaborating internationally on freshwater and coastal plastic pollution studies. His work bridges environmental science, engineering, and policy, with a focus on mitigating plastic waste impacts through innovative methodologies. Research interests include plastic transport modeling, acoustic and image-based monitoring, flood impacts on plastic deposition, and interdisciplinary solutions for pollution control. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and datasets, contributing to global understanding of plastic pathways from rivers to oceans. Media engagements highlight his role as an expert on plastic pollution challenges and mitigation strategies.

• Aquatic Ecology
• Marine Biology
• Coastal Ecosystems
• +3 more

Marjolijn J.A. Christianen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management at Wageningen University & Research. Her research focuses on seagrass ecosystems, marine megaherbivores (e.g., sea turtles), invasive species dynamics, and coastal ecosystem resilience under climate change. She leads projects on seagrass recovery, turtle behavior, and the ecological impacts of human activities. Education: Background in marine biology and ecology, though specific academic degrees are not explicitly listed in the provided texts. Affiliations: WIMEK (Wageningen Institute of Marine Ecology) and collaborations with institutions globally, including the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). Her work integrates field experiments, remote sensing (e.g., drone imagery), and citizen science to assess ecosystem services and conservation strategies. Notable projects include studying sea turtle hybridization, seagrass recovery in the North Atlantic, and the impacts of invasive species like Sargassum and Halophila stipulacea . Media engagements highlight her role in public outreach, including discussions on turtle conservation and seagrass habitat loss. She supervises multiple PhD students and has received prestigious grants such as NWO-VENI (2017) and the 2021 award for coastal ecosystem resilience research. Labs/teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on restoration ecology, including the WildMarsh and North Sea EcoSyStem projects. Her work emphasizes bridging science and conservation through art and community involvement, as seen in activities like the SG-Conversation event.

• Food Systems
• Rural Development
• Urban Agriculture
• +5 more

Prof. Han Wiskerke is a Full Professor of Rural Sociology at Wageningen University, specializing in food systems, rural development, and sustainable agriculture. His research focuses on urban-rural linkages, food policy, and the socio-economic dynamics of agrifood systems. He leads interdisciplinary projects addressing food security, alternative food networks, and resilient city-region foodscapes. Education & Affiliations: His academic background includes expertise in agricultural sociology and policy analysis, with a strong emphasis on transdisciplinary approaches. He supervises multiple PhD projects related to global food systems, urban agriculture, and sustainable development. Research Interests: Prof. Wiskerke explores how food systems can be restructured to enhance equity, sustainability, and resilience. His work integrates case studies from Europe, Africa, and Asia, emphasizing local embeddedness and policy innovation. Key areas include just food futures, cooperative agriculture, and the spatial dimensions of food provisioning. Grants & Activities: He coordinates large-scale projects like Re-Ge-NL and participates in initiatives like SUPURBFOOD, examining urban food systems and SME roles. He actively engages with policy through media commentary on food safety, MKZ crises, and public procurement. Labs/Teams: Involved in Wageningen's Rural Sociology Group and collaborates with international networks on food system transitions. His work bridges academia, government, and civil society for practical impact.

• Food Systems
• Groundwater Management
• Climate Change Adaptation
• +5 more

Stijn Reinhard is a Researcher in Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Blue & Green Economy program. His work focuses on socio-economic aspects of sustainable resource management, climate adaptation pathways, and governance of natural systems. Key areas include groundwater-fed irrigation economics, food systems resilience in deltas, and policy analysis for environmental conservation. He has led over 28 projects, including 'Integral Effects of Climate Measures' and 'Delta Transition Pathways', emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Notable contributions include the HELGA hydro-economic model for farmer-centric groundwater management. Reinhard has received the Grote Maaskant Prijs 2024 and WUR Impact Award 2023 for his impactful research. His publications span 196 outputs, addressing topics like North Sea environmental valuation, Bangladesh delta food security, and cost-benefit analysis of nature-based solutions. He actively engages in public discourse through media appearances and school outreach programs.

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Physiology
• Functional-Structural Plant Modeling
• +5 more

Jochem Evers is a Full Professor of Crop Physiology at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on understanding and optimizing plant interactions in crop systems through functional-structural plant modeling, with emphasis on light competition, intercropping systems, and plant architectural responses to environmental stress. He leads projects on improving crop yields, resource efficiency, and climate resilience, particularly in cereals, legumes, and tropical crops like cocoa. Key research areas include: plant architecture modeling, light interception dynamics, intercropping productivity, and digital twin applications in agriculture. He has supervised 13 PhD students and contributed to over 149 peer-reviewed publications. His work integrates advanced technologies like LiDAR and functional-structural models to advance crop science. Current projects involve optimizing maize-soybean intercropping in the Midwest, cocoa tree pruning strategies, and climate-resilient tomato cultivation. He collaborates globally, with recent studies in semi-arid agroforestry systems and Martian colony crop production.

• Marine Ecology
• Fisheries Management
• Climate Change Impacts
• +3 more

Karen van de Wolfshaar is a Researcher and Business Manager for Mid-North projects at Wageningen Marine Research. Her expertise spans marine ecology, fisheries management, and climate change impacts. She collaborates with institutes like NIOZ and Deltares, focusing on ecosystem modeling, North Sea biodiversity, and sustainable resource management. Key research areas include benthic habitats, food webs, and the effects of human activities (e.g., sand extraction, trawling) on marine ecosystems. Her work integrates ecological and socio-economic dimensions, particularly in ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM). Notable contributions include developing tools for the North Sea's energy-nature transition and modeling the impacts of spatial fishing restrictions. She co-supervises PhD candidates on topics like population dynamics and climate adaptation. Recent publications highlight climate-driven shifts in fish distributions, habitat quality assessments, and policy-relevant modeling for fisheries sustainability. She actively engages in workshops and conferences to bridge scientific findings with practical management strategies.

Marjolijn ChristianenView profile

Associate Professor

• Marine Ecology
• Coastal Ecosystem Restoration
• Climate Change Biology
• +3 more

Marjolijn Christianen is an Associate Professor of Marine Ecology at Wageningen University, Netherlands. Her research focuses on coastal ecosystem resilience through trophic rewilding, particularly involving seagrass, shellfish reefs, and mangroves in the context of climate change. She leads projects such as the VENI-funded 'Global Defaunation' study and the 'WildMarsh' initiative exploring trophic rewilding strategies. Her work integrates field experiments with emerging technologies like drones and machine learning for ecosystem monitoring. She has conducted fieldwork in the Caribbean, North Sea, and Wadden Sea, and advises policymakers on nature management. Christianen holds a PhD from Indonesia (2013) and previously worked at Groningen and Nijmegen Universities on food web ecology and coastal restoration. Education & Experience: PhD in Seagrass and Sea Turtle Ecology (Indonesia, 2013) Researcher at Groningen & Nijmegen Universities (2013–2017) Scientific Advisor at Bureau Waardenburg (2017) Research Interests: Coastal rewilding, megafauna-ecosystem interactions, drone-based monitoring, and climate adaptation strategies. Her team examines how organisms like seagrass and shellfish modify environments to enhance resilience against global change. Current projects address invasive species impacts, nutrient dynamics, and habitat restoration using biodegradable materials. Grants & Projects: WildMarsh (2025–2030): NWO-ENW-M2 Grant Coastal Ecosystem Resilience under Tourism (NWO-WOTRO, 2021) North Sea Reef Vitalization (NWO-TTW, 2019–2024) Outreach & Collaboration: Communicates science through blogs, media, and art, emphasizing practical applications for policymakers and nature managers. Supervises MSc theses and internships in aquatic ecology and marine systems.