Cornelius A.M. van Gestel

Cornelius A.M. van Gestel is an Associate Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, affiliated with the Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences and the Department of Ecological Science. His research focuses on ecotoxicological effects of chemicals on soil invertebrates, bioavailability, and risk assessment methodologies. He has authored/co-authored over 250 papers and contributed to European projects like NanoFASE and AquaTerra. Dr. van Gestel holds editorial roles in journals such as Applied Soil Ecology and Ecotoxicology.

Education:

• PhD from Utrecht University
• Agricultural University, Wageningen (with distinction)

Research Interests:

His work centers on soil invertebrate ecotoxicology, including bioavailability modeling, nanoparticle effects, and mixture toxicity. He investigates how soil properties influence chemical exposure and toxicity to organisms like earthworms, enchytraeids, and mites. His studies address dynamic processes such as toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, linking individual organism responses to ecosystem-level impacts.

Publications:

His recent work spans topics like cadmium toxicity in oribatid mites, silver nanoparticle bioaccumulation, and the ecotoxicity of novel pesticides. These studies highlight advancements in understanding chemical interactions in complex substrates and their implications for regulatory frameworks.

Awards & Roles:

• Recipient of the 2015 SETAC Europe Environmental Education Award
• Member of advisory groups for chemical risk assessment in the Netherlands
• Supervised over 35 PhD students in ecotoxicology and environmental science

Grants & Collaborations:

He has led projects on climate change impacts on metal toxicity, nanoparticle environmental fate (NanoFATE), and European soil quality standards. His work integrates laboratory and field studies to inform policy and risk management strategies.

Labs & Teams:

His research group collaborates internationally on soil ecotoxicology, focusing on bioassay development and advanced analytical techniques to assess chemical contamination effects.