Ben Scheres

Ben Scheres is a Professor of Plant Developmental Biology at Wageningen University (since 2012), where he leads research integrating genetics, computational modeling, and systems biology to study plant development. He also serves as Research Manager at Rijk Zwaan Breeding (2018–present), applying academic knowledge to improve vegetable crop varieties. Additionally, he holds a Professorial Research Fellow position at Cardiff University's Department of Biomedical & Life Sciences (2019–present) and has been an External Faculty Member at the John Innes Institute (2010–2016).

• Education:
  • PhD in Molecular Biology (1990), Wageningen University
  • Master in Plant Pathology (1985), Wageningen University
  • Bachelor in Plant Pathology (1983), Wageningen University

Research Interests
Ben Scheres pioneered the use of Arabidopsis roots as a model system to dissect plant developmental mechanisms using multidisciplinary approaches. His work focuses on gene regulatory networks in spatiotemporal contexts, computational modeling of pattern formation, and bridging theoretical biology with experimental research. Collaborations with theorists in Wageningen, Norwich, Cardiff, and Cambridge have positioned his group at the forefront of plant developmental biology and systems biology.

Scientific Awards & Honors
Recipient of the prestigious

• SPINOZA award (2006) from the Dutch Science Organization
• Advanced Investigator Grant (2008) from the EU
• EMBO membership (2007)
• KNAW membership (2004)
• ISI Thomson Reuter Highly Cited Author (2015)

Teaching Contributions
He has been a lecturer and professor at Utrecht University (1991–2012) and Wageningen University (2012–2017), teaching Genetics, Developmental Biology, and Systems Biology. He also instructed international EMBO courses in Portugal, the UK, and USA.