dr.ir. R (Robin) van Velzen

Robin van Velzen is an Assistant Professor in the Biosystematics Group at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on plant evolution, with a particular emphasis on the diversity, domestication and genomic history of cannabis and its relatives in the hemp family (Cannabaceae). He combines phylogenomics, comparative genomics, metabolomics, and enzymology to study how biosynthetic pathways evolve, how specialized metabolites arise, and how these changes shape species diversification and adaptation.

In addition to his work on plants, he applies genomic and transcriptomic approaches to selected insect lineages. These projects help to link developmental programs to broader questions in evolutionary biology and plant–insect interactions. Together, these lines of research aim to understand how genomic change, development, and chemistry interact over evolutionary timescales.

Robin teaches the BSc course Evolution and Systematics, coordinates internships within the Biosystematics Group, and supervises various BSc and MSc thesis projects. He is closely involved in training students in evolutionary thinking, phylogenetic methods and genomic analyses, and in integrating his current research projects into education.

• Frontiers (1-1-2019/31-12-2099)
  Review editor of Frontiers in Plant Science section