Loes van Schaik

Dr. Loes van Schaik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Soil Physics and Land Management at Wageningen University & Research. Her research focuses on interactions between biological, physical, and chemical processes in the unsaturated zone, particularly how soil structure influenced by soil fauna affects water and solute transport. She explores the impacts of climate change on soil processes, including extreme weather events and land use changes. Her work spans field measurements, data analysis, and modeling to understand plant water availability, nutrient distribution, and pesticide leaching.

Education: Studied 'Soil, Water, Atmosphere' at Wageningen University and completed a PhD at Utrecht University on macropore flow dynamics in semi-arid regions. Previously worked in Germany on geoecological projects before joining Wageningen in 2020.

Research projects include SOILTRIBES (restoring soil ecosystems) and investigating microplastic effects on soil hydrology. She teaches courses on sustainable soil management, ecohydrology, and environmental data analysis. Advises on MSc theses and internships in soil physics and land management.