Vera Ros

Dr. Vera Ros is an Associate Professor in the Department of Virology at Wageningen University. Her research focuses on insect-virus interactions, particularly the evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite systems and the molecular mechanisms behind baculovirus-induced behavioral changes in caterpillars. She holds leadership roles in professional organizations such as the Society for Invertebrate Pathology (SIP) and the Netherlands Entomological Society (NEV).

Education and Career: Ros earned her MSc in Biology from Wageningen University (2003) and her PhD from the University of Amsterdam (2008), studying reproductive parasites in spider mites. Postdoctoral research included work at the University of Pennsylvania (2008–2009) on Lyme disease pathogens and at Wageningen University (2009–2015) on baculoviruses. She joined Wageningen's faculty in 2015 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020.

Research Interests: Her lab investigates baculovirus-induced tree-top disease, covert virus infections in insects, and biological control strategies for pests like the Fall Armyworm. Key areas include viral manipulation of host behavior, molecular mechanisms of infection, and the impact of covert infections on insect mass-rearing systems.

Awards and Grants: She received the SIP Early Career Award (2017), NWO VIDI Grant (2019), and VENI Grant (2009). Her work on Fall Armyworm control and covert viromes has been funded through grants and collaborations like the INSECT DOCTORS network (H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN).

Professional Activities: Ros chairs SIP's Awards & Student Contest Committee and serves on its Council. She also contributes to training initiatives like the INSECT DOCTORS program, aiming to diagnose and manage diseases in commercial insect production systems.