"I decided to learn more about nature and the DNA of animals"

I started my Bachelor's education in Biology thirteen years ago at the University of Utrecht. After years of studying and an exciting fieldwork season in Costa Rica, I decided to pursue a double Master's program in Biology at the University of Wageningen. Here, I learned much more about nature and the DNA of animals. Ever since I obtained my Master's degree, I have been very lucky to fulfill different types of jobs, such as; geneticist, ecological consultant, and science communicator. Now, I am working as an evolutionary biologist for my PhD and post-doc projects and as a taxidermist in a museum!

Evolution is imperfect

The word evolution makes many people immediately think of a process that strives for perfection, but nothing is less true... Evolution in itself is not at all goal-oriented. It follows a number of basic principles that allow species to continuously adapt to a changing (or stable!) environment. A species is therefore never actually 'finished'. The adaptations are possible due to tiny errors in the DNA: these are the so-called mutations, that produce genetic diversity. Mutations can be disadvantageous, but also advantageous, or simply neutral.

Conserving 'wild' DNA

Nature is currently facing several threats, largely due to human impacts. Because plant and animal species are, unfortunately, decreasing in numbers, populations are getting smaller and smaller. This increases the risk that not enough advantageous mutations remain in the DNA of those species. Therefore, they will not be able to evolve any further. If they lose too much genetic diversity, there is even a risk that only disadvantageous mutations remain and take over. Many species cannot do it alone anymore: we need to help them maintain their diverse ('wild') DNA!

This is what drives me!

The disappearance of habitats, the risk of inbreeding, and the spread of exotic species and diseases are just a few of the problems that natural populations currently face and that contribute to the loss of genetic diversity. Many species are struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing, human-dominated environment. This is why a lot of species nowadays are threatened with extinction, or actually going extinct. But luckily, we ca do something about that! That is the big, intrinsic motivation that pushes me to keep learning about nature and DNA, because if we understand it better, we can also protect it better!

Animal portfolio

Want to know what animals I have worked on? Then keep an eye on my animal portfolio, where I regularly post new stories!