News Wageningen University & Research

Detmer Sipkema appointed Personal Professor of Marine Microbiology

Detmer Sipkema has been appointed Personal Professor of Marine Microbiology within the Microbiology Chair Group, with effect from 1 July 2026. In this role, he will focus on the ecology and chemical interactions of marine organisms and the microbes with which they coexist.

Consumers value organic food, but production lags behind ambitions

Consumers are generally positive about organic food, although price and a lack of encouragement remain barriers.

Arjen Buijs appointed Personal Professor of Human-Nature Relations and Transformative Change

As of 1 July 2026, Arjen Buijs has been appointed Personal Professor of Human-Nature Relations and Transformative Change at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Buijs is an environmental sociologist in the Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group, where he studies how relationships between people and nature contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainability transitions.

Chemical tweak makes seawater-soluble plastic potentially more biodegradable

New WUR research has led to an improved plastic that dissolves in seawater and biodegrades more effectively, helping to reduce the impact of plastic pollution on marine life.

Omid Noroozi appointed personal professor at WUR

As of 1 July 2026, Omid Noroozi has been appointed personal professor of Technology-Enhanced Transformative Learning.

More grey seals counted in the Wadden Sea

The numbers of grey seals and pups in the Wadden Sea and on Helgoland continue to increase. Most animals were recorded in the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea.

Vivianne Vleeshouwers elected EMBO Member

Vivianne Vleeshouwers is elected as EMBO Member. EMBO Membership is a lifetime recognition for researchers who excel in the life sciences.

Conference Announcement: From Chopsticks to Crops - Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems

On 16-17 July the 4th Annual International Conference from the SuReFood Alliance will take place at Wageningen University

Wageningen joins major consortium for green nitrogen chemistry

WUR joins the €20.3 million HyNITROGEN project to develop sustainable nitrogen chemistry with over 40 universities, companies and research institutes.