Our programme committee carefully selects the speakers for the scientific programme. They operate at the heart of the Dutch Life sciences and make sure to cover all programme tracks. In the run-up to the conference, we ask them to elaborate on their choice of speakers and what they look forward to at NWO Life 2024.
Katja Peijnenburg
Katja Peijnenburg has developed a unique research line at the interface of ocean science and evolutionary biology: applying cutting-edge morphological and molecular tools to study zooplankton- some of the most abundant organisms on our planet, sensitive to climate change, and with crucial roles in the Earth's biogeochemistry. A central question is "how do zooplankton evolve and adapt to the changing ocean?". She currently holds a group leader position at Naturalis Biodiversity Center, which houses the natural history collection of the Netherlands, and she is an Associate Professor at the University of Amsterdam where she teaches and coordinates the MSc course "Biological Oceanography".
During NWO Life2024 Katja will speak about biodiversity:The role of technology in monitoring biodiversity
She is a fantastic researcher in ocean science at the cross section of evolution and marine biology.
Behind the speaker
We asked programme committee member Elaine van Ommen Kloeke who she invited to speak at NWO Life2024 and why. We also asked her about NWO Life in general.
Who is Elaine van Ommen Kloeke ? 'I have a background in ecological science (PhD in soil ecology at VU University Amsterdam).'
Why did you invite Katja Peijnenburg?
‘I invited Katja Peijnenburg as she creates both excellent ground-breaking scientific knowledge as outreach to the larger community to underline the importance of our oceans. She is for instance involved with the UN ocean decade and World ocean day . One of her major study areas is around sea angels. With the NWO grant PLANKGAS she discovered that these magnificent creatures are much older than expected and have survived earlier events of ocean acidification.'
Why should participants come to NWO Life2024? 'NWO Life is an excellent venue to get a wider view on all the excellent research that takes place in the Netherlands which may lead to new ideas, new opportunities and cross-disciplinary collaborations to advance science.'
What are you most looking forward to? 'Networking in between all the great presentations, to really meet people and dream of the future.'
