Laura Villanueva appointed professor in Marine Microbiology

Laura Villanueva - Utrecht University has appointed microbiologist Laura Villanueva as professor of Marine Microbiology. This makes her the very first professor with this chair in Utrecht. "I very much look forward to add some 'sea' to microbiology in Utrecht, and also to add some biology to Marine Sciences at our university." Knowing what influence microbes have on our climate and, also knowing how microbes are such an integral part of marine biodiversity, Laura Villanueva calls it 'high time' this field was honored with a special chair. "Microbes are key in, for example, the production of the strong greenhouse gasses", Villanueva says. "This production is likely to increase, knowing that microbes produce these gasses in conditions without oxygen. Due to various factors, the zones without oxygen in coastal waters are increasing too. Therefore, marine microbes are becoming ever more important in the puzzle of climate change." - Mitigating climate.