Testimonials
My main drive for this field is my concern about the human-driven global decline in biodiversity.
- Programme
- Environment & Sustainability
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Aafke Schipper, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Science, and coordinator of the Master's specialisation Environment & Sustainability. The main focus of my research and teaching is on biodiversity. I aim to understand how biodiversity responds to human threats and what we can do to effectively conserve or, even better, restore biodiversity. In the Master's programme, I coordinate and teach the course Biodiversity Assessment, where students obtain the knowledge and skills required to quantify and interpret large-scale patterns and trends in biodiversity.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
My main drive for this field is in my concern about the human-driven global decline in biodiversity. I want to understand how different threats contribute to this decline, and even more how we can use this knowledge to identify effective conservation measures.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
My research is quite broad: it covers various species groups (plants, mammals, freshwater fish species) and multiple threats (land use, climate change, pollution). To understand how these threats affect biodiversity, I analyse monitoring data and I build simulation models.
What advice do you have for students making their study choice?
My sole advice for choosing a study: trust your intuition or gut feeling. Just do what you find interesting and worthwhile, without too much consideration of what makes a 'smart' or 'strategic' choice. Even if it turns out that the programme is not exactly what you thought or hoped for, there's plenty of opportunity to keep on learning and adjust your path afterwards. Personally, I discovered during my BSc and MSc in earth sciences that I was actually more interested in ecology, and I gradually turned into an ecologist through my career choices after graduation.
Continuous discovery and learning are at the heart of my work.
- Programme
- Environment & Sustainability
The Nijmegen-based academic graduated in limnology and oceanography and wanted to pursue a PhD. She found a position at Wageningen University & Research, investigating the most favourable conditions for nitrogen decomposition in Dutch waterways. 'For that research, I spent a lot of time outdoors measuring factors like temperature, oxygen levels, and the presence of aquatic plants. I love that combination of lab work and field research.'
This research also provided her with extensive information about microbiology and sparked her interest to learn more. During her doctoral research, she focused on which microorganisms break down nitrogen. 'In my fieldwork, I discovered that temperature influences nitrogen decomposition, but little was known about this. I wanted to learn more.' After her PhD, she continued her research and worked on a second project about ecosystem resilience: how quickly a system recovers after disturbance.
Research on nitrogen decomposition in the Wadden Sea
Through a grant, Annelies Veraart found work at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany, to further develop as a microbiologist. 'What I had done for freshwater in the Netherlands, I wanted to investigate for saltwater: what are the different stages of nitrogen decomposition in the Wadden Sea area and how much nitrous oxide is released? After all, nitrous oxide is an important greenhouse gas', she explains. However, her stay in Bremen was brief as she realised she preferred fieldwork to laboratory work.
Methane research as a microbiologist
She found work at the Institute of Ecology in Wageningen and conducted postdoctoral research on methane-oxidising bacteria, because: 'Rivers, coastal areas, wetlands and lakes are responsible for 50% of global methane production, far more than cattle or industry. That's why methane research is so important.' After a few years, she moved from Wageningen to Nijmegen, where she found work as an Assistant Professor and researcher through a Mohrmann fellowship – designed to recruit more female professors. 'The great thing about this job is that I can bring or develop my own research. I'm still working on nitrogen, but also on methane and ecosystem resilience. I do this together with other researchers from home and abroad and lab technicians. It's real teamwork. At the same time, I get to share my knowledge with students and supervise PhD candidates. Everything I enjoy comes together here', she enthusiastically explains.
Expedition to Spitsbergen
The scientific researcher had often heard about an expedition to Spitsbergen that she wanted to join. In summer 2022, she succeeded and joined about 50 other researchers on a twelve-day journey organised by the Arctic Centre in Groningen. 'The Arctic region is interesting because of the methane released during thawing. We went to the place on Earth where warming is happening fastest; the temperature there has already risen by 6 degrees. It's interesting to see how the ecosystem responds. We were dependent on weather conditions and the many polar bears to go ashore. That only succeeded after five days. Beforehand, I wanted to take samples from six lakes, which I managed to do. It was very impressive to be in that pristine nature, but also confronting: it was 14 degrees there.'
As an Assistant Professor, Annelies Veraart feels completely at home. 'Continuous discovery and learning are at the heart of my work. I enjoy developing research questions: what's useful to work on and what's the best way to do it? I ask myself that question often.'
Published on TechGelderland
I get a lot of satisfaction from the practical applications of research results.
- Nationality
- Dutch
- Programme
- Environment & Sustainability
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Leo Posthuma. I studied Biology at the VU University with specializations in Animal Ecology, Plant Ecology, Phytopathology, and Population Genetics. During my studies, the new field of 'ecotoxicology' emerged, where I conducted my PhD research. I was able to prove that long-term exposure to metal mixtures in the environment leads to micro-evolution and genetic adaptation. With this knowledge, I was able to start working directly at RIVM, from 1992 until present. Since 2016, I work one day per week at Environmental Science.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
In 1962, the book "Silent Spring" was published about field effects of chemical substances, and it is still highly relevant today. There are now more than 350,000 substances in commerce and there are very complex environmental mixtures. In my fundamental and applied research, it's about making this complexity (many substances, many mixtures, many biological species) manageable. This is for protection, when possible, and recovery, when necessary.
What are you currently researching?
My research focuses on various topics, but mainly on diagnosing field impacts: where are there impacts on biodiversity and what causes them? Additionally, I focus on devising, creating, and validating methods that reduce substance-related problems in practice. This includes collaboration with colleagues specialized in Machine Learning.
What tip do you have for students who are choosing their field of study? And what do you enjoy most about working with students?
Combine the pleasure you have in a subject with the usefulness of potential results. Useful applications of research results give me a lot of pleasure. The best thing about working with students is their open-minded attitude: not "yes, but" but "yes, and...".
This degree is helping me gain real-life knowledge to face real-life problems in my next steps as an environmental scientist.
- Previous education
- Environmental Engineering (Technical University of Crete)
- Nationality
- Greek
- Programme
- Environment & Sustainability
- Study start date
What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
My favourite thing about my programme is the wide choice of elective courses. That way I can tailor my schedule with all interesting courses but also challenge myself in areas where I want to gain experience.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
As an international student, I had to overcome some challenges during the start of my studies; however, I was able to quickly adjust to my new environment by stepping out of my comfort zone, making new friends, and embracing the cultural differences.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I am currently doing my first internship, here at Radboud University, where I am looking into microbial DNA as an indicator for surface water quality.
Why do you think it is important that there are people with this degree? What are your plans once you have received your Master's degree?
It's crucial that we keep exploring our surroundings, expanding our understanding, and developing solutions to the challenges our planet faces. This degree is helping me gain real-life knowledge to face real-life problems in my next steps as an environmental scientist.
I have always been fascinated by the variety of life on Earth and the large-scale processes shaping it.
- Nationality
- German
- Programme
- Environment & Sustainability
Can you introduce yourself?
Hi, I am Patrick Weigelt! I studied Biodiversity and Ecology in Göttingen, Germany, where I also did my PhD on 'The Macroecology of Island Floras'. I have been working in the field of plant macroecology and island biogeography for several years. My research focuses on understanding global plant diversity where different species occur, how their diversity in number, form, and function depends on environmental conditions, and how human activities are transforming ecosystems. I teach classes on geographic information systems and human-nature interactions, and you might also come across me in courses on macroecology and biodiversity.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
I have always been fascinated by the variety of life on Earth and the large-scale processes shaping it. Plants, in particular, form the foundation of ecosystems, and understanding their distribution helps us to tackle pressing environmental challenges. Exploring how species are distributed across continents and islands (and how human activities influence these pattern) helps protect ecosystems and guide conservation efforts. Unravelling the unknown and making an impact for conservation is what drives me most. In times of rapid global change, understanding biodiversity at large scales is not just an academic pursuit, it is essential for safeguarding the future of life on our planet.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
My current research focuses on understanding how plant diversity is shaped by natural and human-driven processes across scales using machine learning. I develop workflows and assemble large-scale ecological databases that compile plant distribution and functional trait data. These databases allow me to analyse both past and present drivers of plant diversity especially the factors influencing native and endemic plant diversity, as well as the redistribution of introduced plants in the Anthropocene.
To disentangle the roles of human impact, environmental conditions, and species interactions, I study the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic composition of plant assemblages. By examining biodiversity across spatial and temporal scales, I aim to understand how plant assemblages, from local to global scales, are changing in response to climate change, land use, and species introductions.
What advice do you have for students making their study choice?
Follow your curiosity and passion! Biodiversity research connects with many important global challenges, from climate change to conservation. If you enjoy asking big questions, working with real-world data and novel analysis techniques, or contributing to a more sustainable future, this field offers exciting opportunities.
I want to contribute my part in finding technological solutions that go hand in hand with the preservation of nature and clean water.
- Nationality
- Swiss
- Programme
- Environment & Sustainability
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Daniela, an environmental engineer from Switzerland. I came to Radboud University for a PhD project at the department of Environmental Science, where I am involved in teaching courses like Energy Systems Analysis and Integrated Environmental Modelling.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
Everything we do as a society is connected to the natural environment we live in, shaping the natural world to society's needs without destroying it poses a huge environmental challenge. I want to contribute my part in finding technological solutions that go hand in hand with the preservation of nature and clean water, one of our most valuable resources.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
My research centres around the environmental sustainability of floating solar panels. I employ environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) and measure on-site impacts of this novel renewable energy technology on the surrounding water body in the field.
What advice do you have for students making their study choice?
What helped me in making a study choice was asking myself if my choice is the best option for me in that moment. Choose a field that you are passionate about, ideally beyond the studying experience. What can you imagine yourself working on afterwards? If you do not know yet - do not worry! New possibilities open up (or can be eliminated) at every turn during your studies.
What is the best part of working with students?
Working with students is inspiring, because it challenges you to study and discuss problem statements from different perspectives. Seeing students grow and develop their own voice and opinion over the course of an internship or even lecture series is very fulfilling.