
Ik ben gefascineerd door bloeiende planten. Meer specifiek, ben ik sterk geïnteresseerd in het definiëren van de juiste eigenschappen - zowel morfologisch, anatomisch, fytochemisch als moleculair - om bloeiende planten te ordenen in groepen die hun fylogenie reflecteren. Mijn MSc project ging over de definitie van placentatietypes, typen zaden en nectariën, en in mijn promotie ben ik doorgegaan met het bestuderen van de nectariën van bloeiende planten. Beide diploma's heb ik behaald aan de KU Leuven. Vanaf het vroege begin van mijn carrière heb ik veel managementtaken gehad en een grote onderwijsbelasting, twee aspecten van mijn loopbaan die ik erg lonend vond, ook vanuit onderzoeksperspectief.
Keywords
Ontwikkeling van bloeiende planten, Morfologie en Anatomie, Nectariën, Fylogenie, Systematiek, Dioscoreales, Ericales, Gentianales, Poales
Carrière
Voormalige en huidige functies
- 1-7-2010 – present: Scientific Director of Naturalis Biodiversity Center
- 1-9-2005 – present: Director of the National Herbarium of the Netherlands (NHN)
- 1-9-2005 – present: Full Professor (Chair of Systematic botany), Leiden University
- 1-12-2008 – 30-9-2020: Professor (Chair of Systematic botany), KU Leuven
- 1-9-2005 – 31-1-2016: Scientific Director of the Hortus botanicus Leiden
- 1-8-2000 – 31-7-2005: Head of the Department of Biology, KU Leuven
- 1-10-1989 – 30-11-2008: Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Plant Systematics, KU Leuven
Honours
- Member of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts (2012)
- Member of The Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities (2010)
- Foreign Member of the Linnean Society (2005)
Oudere en huidige academische activiteiten
- Chair of the Board of the Alberta Mennega Foundation, since 2020.
- Executive Committee member (Treasurer) of the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF), since 2016.
- Member of the Board of the Graduate School for Production Ecology and Resource Conservation (PE&RC), since 2012.
- Member of the Committee of Scientific Advisors of the National Authority for Data concerning Nature (GAN), since 2012.
- Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Natural History Museum Stuttgart (SMNS) and the Natural History Museum Karlsruhe (SMNK), since 2012.
- Council Member of the International Organisation for Systematic and Evolutionary Biology (IOSEB), since 2011.
- Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Fungal Biodiversity Centre (CBS-KNAW), since 2011.
- Member of the Leopold III-Fund for Nature Research and Nature Conservation, since 2009.
- Chair of the Professor Lam Fund, since 2007.
- Vice-Chair of the Board of the Flora Malesiana Foundation, since 2006.
- Board of Directors of the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF), since 2005.
- Chair of “Leidse Bibliotheekstichting” Collectanea Botanica, since 2005.
- Chair of the Dr. E. Kits van Waveren Foundation, since 2005.
- Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Botanic Garden of Belgium, now Botanic Garden Meise, since 1997.
- Member and Chair (1997-2005) of the Board of the Alumni Society PDL (“Vereniging van Afgestudeerden in de Plantkunde en de Dierkunde van de Universiteit te Leuven”), since 1991.
- Member of the Board of ETI Bioinformatics; 2008-2012.
- Member of the Examination Committee Biology of Leiden University; 2006-2013.
- Board of Directors of the EU Network of Excellence “European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy”; 2006-2011.
- Member, Vice-Chair (2008) and Chair (2009) of the Expert Panel Biodiversity and Ecology of The Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen); 2000-2009.
- Member of the Board of the Research School Biodiversity; 2005-2012.
Onderzoekinteresse
Aanvankelijk was ik gefascineerd door de enorme verscheidenheid in de morfologie van bloeiende planten. Later breidden mijn onderzoeksinteresses zich uit naar de ontwikkeling van bloeiende planten, de morfologie van pollen, de morfologiën van fruit en zaden, en de anatomie van hout. Monografisch onderzoek, dat nog steeds cruciaal is voor het inventariseren van de biodiversiteit op Aarde, werd ook een belangrijk onderwerp binnen mijn onderzoeksgroep. De introductie van moleculaire systematiek bood een nieuw kader om de evolutionaire relaties van planten te begrijpen.
Ik ben sterk voorstander van een multidisciplinaire benadering waarin morfologische kenmerken gecombineerd worden met DNA-sequentiegegevens en evolutionaire ontwikkelingsgenetica (die ik graag moleculaire morfologie noem), omdat integratieve systematiek uiteindelijk zal leiden tot betere inzichten in de evolutie, en in het begrijpen van de evolutionaire geschiedenis van bloeiende planten.

Actueleonderwerpen
Als wetenschappelijk directeur en lid van het managementteam van Naturalis is het een van mijn belangrijkste taken om onze gemotiveerde groep wetenschappers effectiever te maken. Sinds enkele jaren is mijn directe deelname aan onderzoek beperkt, daarom worden al mijn promovendi begeleid door een zeer toegewijde dagelijkse begeleider (co-promotor). Het is echter zeer de moeite waard om betrokken te zijn bij onderstaande promotieprojecten, omdat ik hierdoor verbonden kan blijven met lopend onderzoek.
Lopende PhD-projecten (voorlopige titels)
- Phylogeny and morphological evolution of Leucobryaceae Schimp. (Bryophyta, Dicranales). (Bonfim Santos, M.; co-promotor Stech, M.)
- Phylogeographical patterns between the Atlantic and Amazon rainforests: an approach with the family Dicranaceae s.l. (Bryophyta) and other haplolepideous mossess. (Gama Dies Neto, R.; co-promotor Stech, M.)
- The evolution of niches: a case study in Annonaceae. (Hoekstra, P.; co-promotors Wieringa, J. & Chatrou, L.)
- Patterns of epiphytic bryophyte diversity in Gede-Pangrango National Park, Java, Indonesia. (Iskander, E.; co-promotors Stech, M. & Mota de Oliveira, S.)
- Genomic barcoding as a tool to trace and identify illegal logged African trees. (Mascarello, M.; co-promotor Janssens, S.)
- The Evolution and development of orchid flowers and fruits. (Pramanik, D.; co-promotor Gravendeel, B.)
- Herb hydraulics: testing the role of root pressure to unravel the dynamics of drought-induced vascular dysfunction in stems. (Thonglim, A.; co-promotor Lens, F.)
- Unraveling evolutionary patterns in the microscopic wood anatomy of two tropical clades. (Beckers, V.; co-promotor Lens, F.)
- Bina Swadaya in Klaten Regency: Knowledge and Use of a Community-Based Organisation for Sustainable Development in the Central Java Province, Indonesia. (Ismawan, B.; co-promotor Slikkerveer, J.)
- Knowledge and Use of Traditional Food Plants among the Kitui People of Kenya: An Ethno-Agricultural Study in East Africa. (Maundu, P.; co-promotor Slikkerveer, J.)
- Ijon in the Sunda Region of West Java: The Role of an Indigenous Agricultural Institution in Sustainable Community Development in Indonesia. (Dimas Isjwara, H.; co-promotor Slikkerveer, J.)
Publicaties
- Hoekstra, P., Wieringa, J., Smets, E. & L. Chatrou. 2018. Floral evolution by simplification in Monanthotaxis (Annonaceae) and hypotheses for pollination system shifts. Scientific Reports 8: 12066 DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-30607-2, 5 figs.
- Dirks-Mulder, A., Butôt, R., van Schaik, P., Wijnands, J.-W., van den Berg, R., Krol, L., Doebar, S., van Kooperen, K., de Boer, H., Kramer, E., Smets, E., Vos, R., Vrijdaghs, A. & B. Gravendeel. 2017. Exploring the evolutionary origin of floral organs of Erycina pusilla, an emerging orchid model system. BMC Evolutionary Biology 17, 89 (18 pages, 11 figs.).
- Jeiter, J., Hilger, H., Smets, E. & M. Weigend. 2017. The relationship between nectaries and floral architecture: a case study in Geraniaceae and Hypseocharitaceae. Annals of Botany 120, 5: 791-803, 9 figs.
- Janssens, S., Vandelook, F., De Langhe, E., Verstraete, B., Smets, E., Vandenhouwe, I. & R. Swennen. 2016. Evolutionary dynamics and biogeography of Musaceae reveal a correlation between the diversification of the banana family and the geological and climatic history of Southeast Asia. New Phytologist 210, 4: 1453-1465, 6 figs.
- Vrijdaghs, A., De Block, P., Verstraete, B., Groeninckx, I., Smets E., & S. Dessein. 2015. A developmental model for the corolla in Rubiaceae. Cryptic character states in corollas of the Spermacoceae alliance. Plant Ecology and Evolution 148, 2: 237-255, 10 figs.
Zie hieronder voor alle publicaties.
Promotiebegeleiding
Naturalis wil een broedplaats zijn voor internationaal wetenschappelijk talent. Daarom hebben promovendi een bijzondere positie in onze organisatie. Ik trad op als promotor (* co-promotor) van de volgende succesvol verdedigde doctoraatsprojecten:
- Wati, R.K. 2021. Systematics, epidermal defense and bioprospecting of wild orchids.
- Sinnesael, A. 2020. Bacterial leaf symbiosis. Origin, function, evolutionary gain, and transmission mode of bacteriophilous Rubiaceae. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Dirks-Mulder, A. 2020. Evolution and development of orchid flowers and fruits. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- *Jeiter, J. 2020. Evolution of floral organisation and architecture in Boraginales and Geraniales. PhD thesis University of Bonn.
- de Bekker, J.C.M. 2020. Transcultural Health Care Utilisation in Serengeti of Tanzania: Towards Applied Ethnoscience in Public Health Management. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Dória, L.C. 2019. Functional xylem anatomy. Intra and interspecific variation in stems of herbaceous and woody species. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Bogarín Chaves, D. 2019. Evolutionary diversification and historical biogeography of Orchidaceae in Central America with emphasis on Costa Rica and Panama. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Saefullah, K. 2019. Gintingan in Subang: An indigenous institution for sustainable community-based development in the Sunda Region of West Java, Indonesia. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Erwina, W. 2019. Iber Kasehatan in Sukamiskin: Utilisation of the plural health information & communication system in the Sunda Region of West Java, Indonesia. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Ruchisansakun, S. 2018. Balsaminaceae in Southeast Asia. Systematics, Evolution, and Pollination Biology. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Schwallier, R. 2016. Evolutionary diversification of Nepenthes. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Semenova-Nelsen, T. 2016. Fungi of the greening Arctic: compositional and functional shifts in response to climatic changes. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Morgado, L. 2016. Peeking into the future: Fungi in the Greening Arctic. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Karremans, A. 2015. Systematic, phylogenetic and pollination studies of Specklinia (Orchidaceae). PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Mennes, C. 2015. Antiquities of the rainforest. Evolution of mycoheterotrophic angiosperms on Glomeromycota. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Lang, A. 2014. Phylogeny and species delimitation within the moss genus Dicranum Hedw.PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Towns, A. 2014. Fertility and Fontanels. Women’s knowledge of medicinal platns for reproductive health and childcare in western Africa. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Chaowasku, T. 2014. The Miliuseae revisited. Phylogenetic, taxonomic, and palynological studies in a major clade of Annonaceae. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Verstraete, B. 2013. Bacterial leaf endophytes in African Rubiaceae. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Caris, P. 2013. Bloemontogenetische patronen in de Ericales sensu lato. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Kok, P. 2013. Islands in the Sky: Species Diversity, Evolutionary History, and Patterns of Endemism of the Pantepui Herpetofauna. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- *Vekemans, D. 2012. Diversification of MADS-box genes in flowering plants. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Rabaey, D. 2012. Micromorphological study of pits in tracheary elements of woody angiosperms. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Appelhans, M. 2011. Phylogeny and biogeography of Spathelioideae (Rutaceae). PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Lemaire, B. 2011. Diversity and Evolution of Bacterial Endosymbionts in Leaf Nodulated Angiosperms. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Subedi, A. 2011. New species, pollinator interactions and pharmaceutical potential of Himalayan orchids. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Boedeker, C. 2010. Phylogenetic, taxonomic and biogeographical studies in the Pithophoraceae (Cladophorales, Chlorophyta). PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Pruesapan, K. 2010. The rise and fall of Sauropus (Phyllanthaceae). A molecular phylogenetic analysis of Sauropus and allies. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- Van den Hof, K. 2010. Evolution of Viola stagnina and its sisterspecies by hybridization and polyploidization. PhD thesis Leiden University.
- *Viaene, T. 2010. Evolution of ancient MADS-gene functions. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Jacobs, B. 2010. Fruits and seeds of Dipsacales. Morphology and evolution. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Tosh, J. 2009. Biogeography of Madagascan Rubiaceae: Case studies from the Afro-Madagascan genus Tricalysia and the pantropical genus Ixora. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Geeraerts, A. 2009. Phylogenetic reconstructions, morphological diversity and historical biogeography of Ebenaceae. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Groeninckx, I. 2009. Integrated study of the herbaceous Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). Systematics & Evolution. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Moon, H.-K. 2008. Systematic studies in Mentheae (Lamiaceae). Morphology, evolutionary aspects, phylogeny. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Merckx, V. 2008. Myco-heterotrophy in Dioscoreales. Systematics and evolution. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Janssens, S. 2008. Evolutionary studies in Balsaminaceae: integration of evidence from molecular and morphological data. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Vrijdaghs, A. 2006. A floral ontogenetic approach to homology questions in non-mapanioid Cyperaceae. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Geuten, K. 2006. Bayesian phylogenetics and perianth evolutionary developmental genetics of the balsaminoid Ericales. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Lens, F. 2005. Systematic significance of wood anatomical characters in Ericales. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Ntore, S. 2004. Contribution à la connaissance systématique du genre afrotropical Pauridiantha (Rubiaceae). PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Schols, P. 2004. Contributions to the palynology and phylogeny of Dioscorea (Dioscoreaceae). PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Dessein, S. 2003. Systematic studies in the Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Vinckier, S. 2003. Orbicules: morphology, ultrastructure, and development in Gentianales and their possible role as vector of allergens. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Vermoere, M. 2002. Holocene vegetation history in the territory of Sagalassos (southwest Turkey). A palynological approach. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Pyck, N. 2001. Phylogenetic relations within Dipsacales. A combined molecular and morphological approach. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Jansen, S. 2001. Comparative wood anatomy of the Rubiaceae and phylogenetic implications of aluminium hyperaccumulation and vestured pits in angiosperms. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Piesschaert, F. 2001 Carpology and pollen morphology of the Psychotrieae (Rubiaceae-Rubioideae). Towards a new tribal and generic delimitation. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Huysmans, S. 1998. Palynology of the Cinchonoideae (Rubiaceae). Morphology and development of pollen and orbicules. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Roels, P. 1998. Phylogenetic position and delimitation of the order Dipsacales. A multidisciplinary approach. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Stoffelen, P. 1998. Coffea and Psilanthus (Rubiaceae) in tropical Africa: a systematic and palynological study, including a revision of the West and Central African species. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- De Laet, J. 1997. A reconsideration of three-item analysis, the use of implied weights in cladistics, and a practical application in Gentianaceae. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
- Ronse Decraene, L.-P. 1992. The androecium of the Magnoliophytina: characterisation and systematic importance. PhD thesis KU Leuven.
Onderwijsactiviteiten
In 1999 ontving ik een Onderwijscertificaat van de KU Leuven (Onderwijskundige Vorming Docenten), en in 2012 verkreeg ik een Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs (BKO) van de Universiteit Leiden.
Naast gastlessen, bijvoorbeeld in de cursussen ‘Diversiteit in algen, schimmels en planten’ (derde jaar Biologie, KU Leuven) en ‘Plantenfamilies van de tropen’ (Master Biologie, Universiteit Leiden), doceer ik ‘Anatomie’ in de cursus ‘Tree of Life’ (eerste jaar Biologie, Universiteit Leiden). Daarnaast ben ik betrokken bij de minor ‘Biodiversiteit en de natuurlijke omgeving’ (derde jaar Biologie, Universiteit Leiden), waar ik lesgeef in de cursus ‘Evolutionaire Ontwikkelingen’.
Openbaregelegenheden
Regelmatig word ik uitgenodigd om te spreken over plantensystematiek, de classificatie van bloeiende planten of om Naturalis Biodiversity Center te introduceren. Recente voorbeelden zijn:
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center: Museum, Collection Infrastructure and Research Institute. Chiang Mai University, Thailand (2016).
- Naturalis: More than a Museum. Bezoek bachelorstudenten van de Universiteit van Wageningen (2015)
- Naturalis: Museum, Natural History Collection, and Research Institute. Leidse Kennisdag, Leiden (2015).
