Erik Poelman appointed as professor holding a personal chair

The Executive Board has appointed Erik Poelman (42) as professor holding a personal chair in the Entomology chair group of the Plant Sciences Group at Wageningen University & Research. The appointment takes effect on 1 September. Poelman studied Biology in Wageningen, started as a PhD candidate with the Entomology chair group in 2004, and has been an associate professor since 2017. Among students he is known as an enthusiastic and committed lecturer. He has also made a name for himself as a scientist nationally and internationally with research into the defensive strategies of plants attacked by insects as well as the natural-selection-driven evolution of plants, insects, and their attack and defence strategies. Poelman: -Most plants are attacked by a large variety of insects. Plants often depend on insects for pollination as well, and natural enemies such as parasitic wasps can help the plant defend itself against herbivorous insects.