Could you introduce yourself?
I am Steven Huls, born and raised in Nijmegen and working in the Ecology department of the Faculty of Science. I completed my Bachelor's and Master's degrees here at Radboud University, but also went to Wageningen for a bioinformatics minor and a Master's internship. I have been working as a PhD candidate since 2022 and my research focuses on vegetation development on Dutch river dykes. In addition to my research, first-year students might also encounter me in the Biodiversity and Personal and Professional Development courses.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
I find ecology so interesting because everything comes together in it. How the soil affects plant roots, how they in turn determine above-ground growth, and how that impacts animals such as birds and insects.
What is your current research focus?
My research focuses on dyke vegetation and specifically my mission is to find the ideal combination of grasses and herbs. This creates the opportunity to move beyond creating a simple grass mat during dyke reinforcement, to instead develop a diverse, species-rich vegetation with many different types of grasses and herbs.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Join a committee of your study association, sports club or student association! Or do a board year if you have a bit more time.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
What I enjoy about working with students is that they regularly come up with ideas that you might not have thought of yourself.