Erwin Zoetendal

Dr. Erwin Zoetendal is an Associate Professor at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research. He specializes in intestinal microbiology and microbial ecology, focusing on the gut microbiota's role in health and disease. His research explores dietary fiber fermentation, microbiota resilience, and microbial interactions in the gastrointestinal tract.

Education: Earned a Ph.D. in 2001 from Wageningen University on human gut bacterial communities. Postdoctoral work included stints at the University of Kuopio (Finland) and the University of Illinois (USA). Since 2015, he has led the Microbiome, Lumen & Diet research group.

Research Interests: Gut microbiota dynamics, dietary fiber impacts, microbial hydrogenotrophy, and probiotic efficacy. Notable contributions include studies on resistant starch degradation, synbiotic effects, and antibiotic-induced microbiota perturbations.

Key Projects: Novobiome (discovering probiotics from healthy microbiota), CarboBiotics (post-antibiotic resilience), and studies on gut microbiota stability in rural populations.

Scientific Awards: Rome Foundation AGA Institute Lectureship (2010), Honorary Guest Professor at Nanjing Agricultural University (2014), and membership in editorial boards of international journals.

Teaching: Instructs courses such as Microbiology for Nutrition and Health, Advanced Food Microbiology, and MSc Research Practice Microbiology.