About me
I studied biology/biophysics at Leiden University (cum laude). In 1990 I obtained my Ph.D. from Leiden University (Department of Cell Biology and Department of Physiology). After obtaining my Ph.D. I worked as a Post-doc in the Institute of Molecular Plant Science in Leiden. In 1994 I started work at the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (AMC) a cooperation between the Department of Physiology and Anaesthesiology. By the end of 1996 I returned to Leiden to be part of the management of the Center for Phytotechnology (a cooperation between TNO and Leiden University) and the TNO Department of Applied Plant Sciences. Since 2006 the TNO group has been reformed into the Research company Fytagoras BV, at which I am the chief scientific officer and managing director. Since 2006 I have been involved in teaching at University College Roosevelt and in 2008 I also became professor at Leiden University in the field of Plant Electrophysiology.
Professional career
- 1984-1986 Student Assistant Dept. of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Leiden University
- 1986-1990 Research Position at Dept of Cell Biology and Dept. of Physiology, Leiden University
- 1990 Research project at Kyoto University, Dept. of Botany, Kyoto, Japan
- 1990-1994 Post doc at Dept. of Mol. Plant Biology and Dept. of Physiology, Leiden University
- 1994-1996 Associate Professor Department of Experimental Anesthesiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam
- 1996-2002 Management of Center for Phytotechnology UL/TNO
- 1996-2006 Product manager/ (deputy) head TNO Department of Applied Plant Sciences; Head Plant & Technology
- 2006-present Chief Scientific Officer TNO Fytagoras BV
- 2008-present Professor of Plant Electrophysiology at Leiden University
Key words research experience
Cell Physiology, Plant Physiology, (Plant) Hormone Signal Transduction, Seed Physiology, Seed technology, Electrophysiology, Patch-clamp, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Chemotaxis, Plant cells, Anesthetics, Mathematical modeling.
Publications
- Over 45 publications in double refereed scientific journals, 6 patents, regular contributor to the Professional Journal ‘Asian Seed and Planting
- Material’ with a 1-1.5 page contribution on seed science related issues
- Editor of different books and manuals.
- From 1988 over 75 invited lectures in over 25 different countries
- Reviewer for different scientific journals, subsidy suppliers (e.g. STW, EC and other international bodies)
Scientific management positions
- 1995 Chairman of the organizing committee on Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Advanced Course ‘Single Cell Techniques in Signal Transduction Research’, Leiden (course director, over 110 students)
- 1997 Chairman of the organizing committee on Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Advanced Course ‘Single Cell Techniques in Signal Transduction Research’, Leiden (course director, over 90 students)
- 1995-present: Member of the Board of the ‘Stichting Single Cell Research’, Leiden/Amsterdam
- 1997-2001 Chairman Eureka project “Wheat for Industrial Needs” (WIN)
- 1998-2001 Chairman EC COST Action 828: Seed science in the field of genetically controlled stress physiology
- 2005-2006 Chairman “Seed science division” European Society for Agronomy
- 2005-present Chairman Working group 2 EC COST Action 863: Euroberry research: from genomics to sustainable production, quality and health
- 2006-present Vice Chairman International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) committee on “Advanced technologies”