dr.ir. VID (Vera) Ros

Associate Professor Insect Virus – Host Interactions

I obtained my MSc degree in Biology at Wageningen University in 2003 (cum laude). During my MSc thesis at the University of Copenhagen (with Dr. Duur Aanen) my interest in host-symbiont interactions was triggered, when studying fungus-growing termites and possible invasive fungi. I performed my PhD research at the University of Amsterdam (Dr. Hans Breeuwer and Prof. Steph Menken; Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics), focusing on reproductive parasites: bacteria that manipulate the reproductive system of their invertebrate host in order to enhance their own transmission. Wolbachia and Cardinium are well-known and widespread reproductive parasites, and I have investigated their impact in spider mites (Bryobia and Tetranychus). My thesis was awarded with The Netherlands Entomological Society (NEV) dissertation price for the best entomological PhD thesis defended at a Dutch University between September 2008 and September 2009. Subsequently, I have worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania (laboratory of Dr. Dustin Brisson) studying the evolution of the infectious microbe Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by ticks and is the causative agent of Lyme disease. In 2009, I started a postdoc at the Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University (Prof. Dr. Monique van Oers and Prof. Dr. Just Vlak), focusing on baculoviruses infecting caterpillars. In 2012, I received a VENI-grant of the NWO (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) to study the mechanism behind viral manipulation of insect host behaviour. In 2015, I took up a permanent position as Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) in insect virology at Wageningen University. In 2017, I received the Early career award from the Society for Invertebrate Pathology (SIP), recognizing uprising scientists in the field of insect pathology. In 2019, I received an NWO VIDI grant to study covert viruses in insects and in 2020 I got promoted to Associate Professor.

Currently, I am a board member and treasurer of SETE, a section of The Netherlands Entomological Society (NEV) that organizes the yearly Dutch Entomology Day. I serve the Society for Invertebrate Pathology as the chair of the Awards & Student Contest Comittee and in 2020 I joined the SIP council as a Trustee. 

• Society for Invertebrate Pathology (1-1-2021/31-12-2099)
  Chair of the Awards and Student Contest Committee of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology (SIP)
• Nederlandse Entomologische Vereniging (17-12-2022/31-12-2099)
  De sectie Entomologendag van de NEV organiseerst de jaarlijkse Nederlandse Entomologendag