Vera de Ruijter

Vera de Ruijter is a Research Fellow in the Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management department at Wageningen University, specializing in microplastics research. She recently completed her PhD in June 2024 with a dissertation focused on improving the realism and relevance of microplastic effect tests.

Her research interests span multiple critical areas in environmental science, particularly focusing on microplastics effect testing methodologies, environmental risk assessment, and developing ecologically relevant testing protocols. De Ruijter's work addresses the urgent need for standardized approaches to evaluate microplastic impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

Analysis of her publication record from 2023-2025 reveals a strong focus on creating realistic testing scenarios that bridge laboratory studies with environmental conditions. Her research consistently emphasizes the importance of using heterogeneous microplastic mixtures rather than single-polymer tests, and incorporates multiple benthic invertebrate species to capture ecosystem-wide responses.

• Multiple publications cited in policy documents
• Research referenced by news outlets and social media platforms
• Significant academic engagement with over 65 Mendeley readers for key publications

De Ruijter led the Microplastic Effect Thresholds for Aquatic Species (METAS) project from 2019-2024 as a PhD candidate, working under promotor Koelmans. Her collaborative network spans multiple institutions and has resulted in impactful research that informs both scientific understanding and environmental policy regarding microplastic pollution.