Hauke Smidt is a Personal Professor at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Molecular Ecology group within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. His research focuses on microbial ecology, particularly gut microbiota dynamics, antibiotic resistance, environmental microbiology, and the One Health framework. Smidt has supervised over 50 PhD students and contributed to 519 publications, including studies on microbiome resilience, fermented food impacts, and bioremediation strategies. Education and affiliations include leadership roles in projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, pig health, and drinking water microbiology. His work spans collaborations across Europe and Asia, with notable contributions to understanding microbial community responses to environmental stressors and dietary interventions. Smidt is actively involved in public outreach, as seen in media contributions discussing microbiome research and health benefits. Key projects include aquifer treatment for drinking water, microbiome simulation models, and combating plant pathogens. His awards and recognition are not explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record and project leadership highlight significant academic impact.
Leonie Bentsink is a Professor at the Laboratory of Plant Physiology , part of Wageningen University . Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying seed dormancy, germination, and longevity in plants like Arabidopsis thaliana . She leads projects investigating translational regulation, seed microbiomes, and abiotic stress tolerance, supported by an NWO Vici grant (2018). Dr. Bentsink supervises multiple PhD candidates and has authored over 69 publications. Key contributions include discovering roles for genes like DOG1 and ANAC060 in dormancy regulation, and developing tools like the SeedTransNet translational network. Key Projects: Seed microbiome impacts on drought tolerance Seed germination cell communication mechanisms Spatial transcriptomics for abiotic stress resilience Datasets: 11 publicly available datasets on seed transcriptomes/metabolomes, including seed dormancy cycling and parental effect studies. Citations: Over 70 publications since 2000, with notable work on seed longevity and translational regulation.
Samarpita Roy is an Assistant Professor at TU Delft's Faculty of Applied Sciences, leading the Environmental Biotechnology department's Samarpita Roy Group. Her research focuses on microbial ecology in engineered bioprocesses, integrating metagenomics and quantitative physiology to study microbial metabolisms and community interactions. Key projects include exploring phototrophic and polyphosphate-accumulating organisms in wastewater treatment for nutrient/resource recovery. She actively seeks industrial collaborations and is hiring PhD candidates in metagenomics/microbial ecology. Research emphasizes understanding microbial community dynamics under fluctuating conditions, developing sequencing/data analysis workflows, and applying findings to enhance bioprocess efficiency. Her work aims to advance circular bioeconomy solutions through innovative biotechnology approaches.
Prof. dr. Tessa Quax is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, leading research in Molecular Microbiology . Her work focuses on archaeal virology and virus-host interactions, supported by prestigious grants including an ERC Starting Grant (2022) and NWO Vidi Grant (2023). Key Research Areas: Archaeal virus entry/egress mechanisms Cell surface dynamics and motility Extreme environment microbiology Genetic tool development for archaea Recent publications in Nature Reviews Microbiology (2025) and Current Opinion in Microbiology (2024) highlight her work on viral host recognition and structural diversity. Her lab's 44 research outputs span archaeal cell biology, viral evolution, and ecological impacts of virus-induced lysis. Scientific Recognition: KNAW Beijerinck Premium (2022) KNAW Early Career Award (2021) Hector Research Career Development Award (2021) ERC Starting Grant (2022) As Chair of the International Society for Viruses of Microbes SAB and Speaker of the German Microbiology Society's Microbial Viruses group, she coordinates global research networks including a HFSP grant (2023) with Japan/Australia/USA collaborators. Her lab currently includes PhD candidate Zaloa Aguirre Sourrouille and multiple postdoctoral researchers.
Dr. Ed E. Moret is an Associate Professor of Computational Medicinal Chemistry at Utrecht University, where he serves as Managing Director of the Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is a member of the Departmental Executive Board and Chair of the Board of Examiners of the School of Pharmacy. His academic career spans over three decades with significant contributions to pharmaceutical sciences. Utrecht University, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy, Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery Managing Director since January 2010 Dr. Moret's educational background includes completing Gymnasium-b at Gymnasium Camphusianum in Gorinchem in 1979, followed by pharmacy studies at Utrecht University until 1988. He earned his PhD in 1993 with research on calculations and simulations of DNA-alkylating cytostatics under supervision of Prof. L.H.M. Janssen and Prof. J.P.A.E. Tollenaere. He also conducted postdoctoral research at the Scripps Research Institute with Prof. A.J. Olson. His primary research interests focus on molecular recognition, particularly in auto-immune diseases, with expertise spanning computational medicinal chemistry, computer-aided drug discovery, cheminformatics, and bioinformatics. Dr. Moret's work bridges the gap between theoretical calculations and experimental validation in drug design. His research portfolio demonstrates a consistent trajectory from fundamental molecular interactions to applied drug discovery, with particular emphasis on enzyme inhibitors, carbohydrate-protein interactions, and molecular recognition processes. Analysis of his publication record reveals a strong focus on structure-based drug design, with significant contributions to the development of inhibitors for enzymes like β-glucocerebrosidase, NNMT, and neuraminidase. His work spans multiple therapeutic areas including lysosomal storage disorders, cancer metabolism, and infectious diseases. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident in the integration of computational approaches with experimental validation across biochemistry, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry. Teacher of the Year (awarded three times by Pharmacy students) Member of editorial boards for Medicines and Conceptuur journals Secretary of Board of FIGON (2016) Secretary of Raad voor de Farmaceutische Wetenschappen (2024) Member of Board of Stichting Farmaceutische Erfgoed (2024) Dr. Moret has been actively involved in educational innovation, developing and coordinating the master's programme Drug Innovation, the profile Drug Regulatory Sciences, and the Honours programme Pharmaceutical Sciences. He has taught courses for pharmacy, chemistry, UCU and medical sciences students, as well as PhD courses in bioinformatics and computer-aided drug discovery. His educational contributions include developing an inquiry-based elective course on drug discovery, for which he published educational research. He holds BKO and SKO teaching qualifications and participated in the Centre of Excellence in University Teaching program. As Managing Director of the Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Moret leads research initiatives across chemical biology, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical sciences. His leadership extends to multiple advisory and editorial roles within the pharmaceutical research community, reflecting his significant contributions to both academic and professional spheres of pharmaceutical sciences.
Judith Risse is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Bioinformatics (BIF) department at Wageningen University & Research. Her work focuses on genomic and evolutionary studies, including phylogenomic analysis of plant development, insect adaptation, and microalgal biotechnology. She has contributed to projects involving genome sequencing, transcriptome analysis, and nanopore technologies. Education: Completed her PhD in Bioinformatics (2014) under Prof. Bisseling and Dr. Leunissen, focusing on text-mining for metabolic pathway reconstruction. Research Interests: Floral development in Asteraceae, evolutionary adaptation in insects (e.g., field crickets), and genomic mechanisms of stress tolerance in microalgae. Her work integrates computational biology with experimental genomics. Publications: Key contributions include studies on dandelion floral genetics (2023), great tit genome inversion analysis (2023), and microalgal thermotolerance (2022). She has also published on cricket genomics (2020) and viral photosynthesis interactions (2022). Projects: Led a PhD project on text-mining applications in metabolic pathway analysis. Currently involved in collaborative projects on plant and animal genomics. Labs/Teams: Active in the BIF group at Wageningen, collaborating with institutions like St Andrews University and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology.
Sarah D'Adamo is an Associate Professor in Bio Process Engineering at Wageningen University & Research. Her research focuses on genetic engineering of microalgae, particularly Nannochloropsis species, to enhance lipid production, carotenoid synthesis, and selenium accumulation. She explores metabolic pathways, biotechnological applications, and sustainable biomass production. Expertise: Genetic engineering tools, lipid metabolism, microalgal biotechnology. Key Projects: Includes metabolic modeling, CRISPR-Cas systems, and industrial applications of microalgae. Her work bridges fundamental biology with industrial biotechnology, addressing challenges in biofuel production and nutrient optimization.
Detmer Sipkema is an Associate Professor at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the VLAG WIMEK faculty and the Department of Molecular Ecology. His research focuses on microbial ecology, marine biology, and biotechnology, particularly in aquaculture systems and sponge symbionts. He leads projects on metabolic modeling of marine bacteria, ecological impacts of seaweed farming, and probiotics development for aquaculture. Key research interests include microbial diversity, anaerobic digestion in aquaculture waste, and applications of artificial intelligence in microbial studies. He has supervised multiple PhD candidates exploring topics like microbial symbiosis, gut microbiota dynamics, and sustainable aquaculture practices. His work integrates multi-omics approaches, environmental microbiology, and bioprospecting for novel bioactive compounds. Sipkema has published widely on sponge microbiomes, anaerobic processes, and aquaculture sustainability. His datasets include bacterial community analyses from sponges and microalgae, contributing to understanding symbiotic relationships and biotechnological applications.
Dr. Tanja Stratmann is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Utrecht University 's Department of Earth Sciences within the Faculty of Geosciences since July 2025, with prior affiliations at NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (2022-2025), Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology (2019-2022), and Ghent University (2018-2019). PhD in Marine Sciences (2018) from NIOZ/Ghent University MSc in Statistical Data Analysis (2019) from Ghent University MSc in Biology (2014) from Aarhus University Her research focuses on extreme marine environments , particularly deep-sea ecosystems and polar regions . Key areas include: Environmental impacts of deep-sea mining Benthic food web dynamics using isotopic tracers Megafaunal roles in carbon/nitrogen cycling Dissolved organic matter cycling in Arctic systems Recent work analyzes 13C, 15N, 2H tracers in sponge feeding studies (2025) and Clarion-Clipperton zone food web integrity (2023). Her databases ( BenBioDen , ProkaBioDen ) support global marine research. Scientific Recognition: Veni Laureate (2022) Open Science XS Grant (2022) Rubicon Research Fellowship (2019-2022)
Lotte Woittiez is an Assistant Professor at Wageningen University & Research's Department of Plant Production Systems. Her work bridges agronomy, crop physiology, and socio-economic analysis in temperate and tropical systems. She collaborates with industry partners like McCain Foods and NGOs to enhance agricultural sustainability. Expertise: Cocoa, oil palm, potato agronomy; fertilizer management; sustainable intensification Key roles: Course developer for the Advanced Agronomy MSc program; PhD/MSc student supervision Research focuses on quantifying yield gaps, fertilizer response dynamics, and climate resilience strategies in tropical crops. Notable projects include the CocoaSoils initiative and oil palm yield studies in Indonesia. Teaches courses such as CSA34806 Advanced Agronomy and PPS30806 Analysing Sustainability of Farming Systems. Active in curriculum design for agricultural education programs.
Prof. Annemiek ter Heijne is a Full Professor of Environmental Technology at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Agrotechnology & Food Sciences faculty and leading the Environmental Technology group. She focuses on circular economy solutions, microbial electrochemistry, and sustainable resource recovery from waste streams. Her research integrates biological, chemical, and physical processes to develop technologies like bioelectrochemical systems for methane production and nutrient recovery. Education: MSc in Environmental Sciences (Wageningen University), PhD in Environmental Technology (Wageningen University & Wetsus). She has held a 0.8 FTE position since her PhD, balancing work with family and hobbies. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration, work-life balance, and the ethical use of AI in science. Research Interests: Bioelectrochemical systems, microbial fuel cells, carbon capture via electrochemical processes, and sustainable wastewater treatment. She explores how bacteria can clean wastewater while generating energy, emphasizing circularity and global sustainability. Key Projects: Scaling up methane-producing bioelectrochemical systems, CO₂-to-methane conversion, and optimizing bioanodes for ammonium recovery. Collaborates with industry to translate lab innovations into real-world applications. Awards: NWO Vidi Grant (2019) Advising: Supervises 18 PhD candidates including D. Metz (Circular Nutrients), Y. Chang (Sulfur Recovery), and J. Steller (Power-to-Methane) Grants: Multiple EU and industry funded projects on electrochemical technologies Labs/Teams: Leads the Environmental Technology group and chairs the Wageningen Energy Alliance, fostering cross-disciplinary energy research.
J.A.M.J.L. Janssen is a Researcher in the Department of Internal Medicine at Erasmus MC, a leading academic medical center in the Netherlands. The research profile indicates active contributions to the fields of endocrinology, metabolism, and molecular medicine. The research interests of J.A.M.J.L. Janssen center on metabolic syndrome , type 2 diabetes , ectopic fat deposition , hyperinsulinemia , and the insulin/IGF-I signaling pathway . Additional focus includes receptor pharmacology , particularly the interplay between IGF-I and TSH receptors in thyroid eye disease. Research also extends to overnutrition , ultra-processed foods , and the metabolic consequences of Westernization. These interests are reflected in a high volume of recent review articles and commentaries in prominent journals. The recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward synthesizing evidence on metabolic dysregulation, advocating for paradigm shifts in diabetes management, and exploring molecular mechanisms of disease. Work frequently appears in journals such as International Journal of Molecular Sciences and The Lancet Regional Health - Europe , indicating high impact and policy relevance. While no specific scientific awards are listed in the provided text, the research has been cited extensively (e.g., 38 citations for a 2022 article) and picked up by multiple news outlets and blogs, suggesting recognition in both academic and public spheres. J.A.M.J.L. Janssen has supervised at least three research projects, as indicated by the 'Supervised Work (3)' metric, though specific student names and grant details are not available. The scholarly output includes collaborations with international researchers, such as L. Girnita and T.J. Smith. The research is conducted within the Department of Internal Medicine at Erasmus MC, with no additional lab or team structure described in the text.
Professor Sander Nieuwenhuis (Leiden University) specializes in Cognitive Neuroscience of Decision Making through behavioral, EEG, and pharmacological approaches. His work bridges prefrontal cortex function and noradrenergic system mechanisms in human cognition. Studied cognitive psychology (Groningen) and earned PhD (Amsterdam, 2001) International experience: Cambridge University (visiting research), Princeton University (postdoc) Research focuses on noradrenaline's role in attention, decision-making, and cognitive control via: Locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system dynamics Phasic vs. tonic alertness effects Cognitive task performance under neuromodulator deficiency Neuroprotective pathways in Alzheimer's models Recent publications analyze DBH deficiency (Jepma et al., 2011) and attentional blink mechanisms (Nieuwenhuis et al., 2005). His Temporal Attention Lab integrates fMRI, genetics, and computational modeling . Teaching leadership includes: Chair of Research Master Program Committee Coordinator of Scientific Writing courses
Joana Falcao Salles is a Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen, leading the Salles Lab focused on Microbial Community Ecology. Her research integrates ecological and evolutionary theories to understand microbial community formation and their environmental impacts. She holds a PhD from Leiden University (2005) and has held academic positions since 2008. She serves as Treasurer on the Executive Board of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME). Her expertise spans microbial ecology in soils, plants, and animals, with a focus on microbial diversity, invasion dynamics, and symbiotic relationships. Key projects include studying salt marsh microbiomes, plant-microbe interactions in agriculture, and the role of microbiomes in host immunity. She has secured grants for initiatives like PotatoMETAbiome and INSECTFEED, advancing sustainable agriculture and circular economy solutions. Salles has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work on microbial solutions to climate change, antibiotic resistance, and gut-brain axis interactions. Her lab collaborates globally, addressing challenges in environmental sustainability and public health.
Willem Pieter Brouwer is a Researcher at Erasmus MC's Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, focusing on advanced liver disease research. His work addresses chronic hepatitis B, liver fibrosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and the interplay between metabolic disorders and viral infections. He has contributed to 64 peer-reviewed publications, including studies on diagnostic accuracy of liver stiffness assessment and global epidemiology of liver diseases. Key research interests include the molecular mechanisms of liver disease progression, non-invasive diagnostic tools, and the impact of obesity on liver pathology. Collaborations span global institutions, addressing public health implications of viral and metabolic liver diseases. His studies often employ systematic reviews and meta-analyses to synthesize large-scale epidemiological data.
