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

I started my Bachelor's education in Biology twelve 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. That was when 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!

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, which create the all so important genetic diversity. Mutations can be disadvantageous, but also advantageous, or simply neutral.

Fascinating, right?

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 'desired' errors (read: potentially advantageous mutations) remain in the DNA of those species. Therefore, they will not be able to evolve further. On the other hand, there is a risk that 'unwanted' errors (read: potentially disadvantageous mutations) take over.

Unwanted errors can cause problems. For example, inbreeding can occur in populations that became small and isolated due to, for instance, a fragmented and threatened habitat. Also, quite the opposite problem might occur: outbreeding. Here, a genetic cocktail of different populations - or even of different species - is created, for instance by unnatural crossings. Biologists sometimes call this admixture or genetic pollution.

The latter occurs, for example, when humans release exotic species into the habitat of native species. When such species are able to mate, bizarre crossings will occur. From an evolutionary point of view, this can be quite harmful. But also in case the species cannot reproduce, they might still have to compete for terrain or food, for example. Then, exotic species still cause damage to a native species. They can also carry terrible diseases towards new terrains. 

Oh no! What now?

The disappearance of habitats, inbreeding, the spread of exotic species, and diseases are just a few of the problems that natural populations currently face. On top of the fact that many species already struggle to adapt to the rapidly changing, human-dominated environment. This is why a lot of species nowadays are declining in numbers, or worse: threatened with extinction. That is a big, intrinsic motivation that pushes me to keep learning, because if we understand nature 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!