Mark Sterken

Dr. Mark Sterken is an Assistant Professor in the Laboratory of Nematology at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on understanding plant-parasitic nematodes, particularly their molecular interactions with host plants, genetic diversity, and mechanisms of resistance. He leads projects on cyst nematodes (e.g., Globodera pallida) and their effector proteins, contributing to sustainable crop protection strategies.

Key research areas include nematode genetics, plant defense mechanisms, and the application of genomic tools to study parasitism. He has received notable awards such as the Veni Award (2019) for his work on host-parasite supergenomes and the PE&RC Publication Award (2014). His work integrates functional genomics, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, and systems biology approaches.

Dr. Sterken supervises multiple PhD and EngD candidates, including projects on cyst nematode virulence genes, population genetics, and nematode-resistant crop development. He collaborates internationally and actively disseminates findings through conferences and media. His research also involves developing bioanalytical tools using Caenorhabditis elegans for toxicity assessment and genetic studies.