Julian Verdonk

Julian Verdonk is an Associate Professor specializing in Horticulture & Product Physiology. His research focuses on postharvest physiology, plant responses to environmental conditions (e.g., light spectra, temperature), and metabolic pathways in crops. He has co-authored over 30 publications, including studies on LED light effects on lettuce growth, metabolomic analyses of plant compounds, and chilling tolerance in horticultural crops. He supervises PhD candidates in projects like optimizing vertical farming systems and understanding genetic factors influencing fruit quality.

Key projects include 'Product Quality and Postharvest Physiology' (2023–2025) and 'Close-up! A Close-up of Unresponsive Guard Cells' (2023–present). He has organized Postharvest Technology Courses since 2015 and contributed to media discussions on food waste reduction and ornamental crop quality. His work bridges fundamental plant biology with applied agricultural solutions, emphasizing sustainable practices and technological innovation.