Wageningen University & Research

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Wageningen University & Research

Welcome to the official page of Wageningen University & Research.
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This page is for current and future students, alumni, staff and those interested in Wageningen University & Research. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is one of the leading international universities with courses in the field of healthy food and living environment. It aims to improve the quality of life by focusing on three main themes: Health, Lifestyle & Livelihood; Food & Food Production and Living Environment.

27/08/2026

🐺👥 Wolves, beavers, and large grazers are finding their way back to the Netherlands.

The return of these wild animals raises difficult dilemmas. During the Opening of the Academic Year on August 31, Hugh Jansman, Maarten Jacobs, and Sabrina Dressel will share their views on a central question: how can humans and wild animals learn to live together?

21/08/2026

💚✨ What an incredible week it has been during this year's Annual Introduction Days (AID): Breaking Ground!

Over six unforgettable days, thousands of new students officially kicked off their time at Wageningen University & Research. From the first registrations and campus games to an epic week packed with:

🍕 Good food & great company: the Eat & Greets, a dinner on the d**e, and a pub crawl.

🎾 Action & insight: the sports day, academic introductions, and the info market.

🎶 Unforgettable nights: Show Night, Open Air Movie, a lively sing-a-long, and a legendary performance by Orgel Joke to close out the Breaking Ground Festival!

A huge thank you to all the participants, AID mentors, volunteers, and organizers who made this edition so special.

To all our new students: welcome to the WUR community! We can't wait to see what you'll achieve here in Wageningen.

What was your favourite moment of AID 2026? Drop your highlights in the comments below! 👇

20/08/2026

🦟 Why do mosquitoes make that annoying high-pitched buzz? Science shows: it's all about love!

On , we usually talk about disease prevention. But from a biomechanics perspective, mosquitoes are absolute evolutionary marvels, even if they choose to fly as inefficiently as possible!

Research by Wageningen University & Research Professor Florian Muijres, together with Camille le Roy and Ilam Bharathi, investigated the flight behavior of dipterans (flies and mosquitoes). While aerodynamics dictates a very narrow "blueprint" for efficient flight, mosquitoes completely defy this rule.

Their wingbeat frequency is excessively high, making their flight up to three times less efficient than that of a fruit fly of similar size. So why waste so much energy?🧬

The answer: s*x & evolution.
-Mating in a swarm: Males find females by listening to their wingbeat with specialized antennae.
-Harmonic interference: High wingbeat frequencies create overtones that help males and females tune into each other.
-Female choice: Sustaining this energy-intensive flight may signal fitness, helping females select stronger males.

By filming dozens of species with high-speed cameras, the team uncovered that mosquitoes sacrifice aerodynamic efficiency for evolutionary success. Next time a mosquito keeps you awake with its high-pitched buzz, at least you’ll know: it’s just looking for 'the one'!

30/07/2026

🌱🐔 A small change in poultry feed could make a big difference.

Soy is an important source of protein in chicken feed, but it contributes to high CO₂ emissions and increases Europe's dependence on imports.

Together with partners, researchers from Wageningen University & Research are exploring how imported soybean meal can be partially replaced with more circular alternatives. Sunflower meal, rapeseed meal and field beans, for example.

But making animal feed more sustainable isn't as simple as swapping one ingredient for another. "There are many factors to consider," says poultry nutrition researcher Arya Rezaei Far. From nutritional value and digestibility to ingredient quality, availability and price: finding the right balance is key.

The first results are promising. Partially replacing soybean meal can reduce the carbon footprint of poultry feed by 6-44%. Beyond reducing emissions, developing more locally sourced feed can also help reduce Europe's dependence on imports and strengthen food system resilience.

23/07/2026

🏆💚 A huge milestone for our research community!

We are immensely proud to share that 12 of our researchers have been awarded prestigious NWO Veni grants!

The Veni grant gives exceptional early-career scientists the independence and funding to pioneer innovative ideas over the next three years. Seeing 12 of our academics selected is a fantastic testament to the talent, hard work, and curiosity driving our departments every day.

From using beetle evolution to cut pesticide reliance, to modeling clouds, navigating youth news trust, and packing gut bacteria with bone-supporting vitamins, these projects will tackle some of today’s most critical scientific and societal challenges.

Check out the slideshow to meet the researchers and dive into their projects!

Congratulations to all 12 winners! We wish you every success as you embark on these research journeys.

21/07/2026

🐄🦠 Bird flu is no longer just a bird problem.

For the first time in Europe, antibodies against the H5N1 bird flu virus have been detected in dairy cows in the Netherlands. While this does not mean there is currently an outbreak among cattle, it highlights how viruses can cross species barriers and why continuous monitoring is so important.

Researchers from Wageningen Bioveterinary Research are studying how bird flu behaves in mammals and whether the virus is adapting to infect them more easily. So far, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, and the risk to the general public remains low. However, the situation in the United States, where bird flu has spread among dairy cattle and infected people, shows why vigilance is essential.

The key takeaway? Early detection matters. By monitoring wild birds, livestock, and viral changes, researchers can identify potential risks before they become larger public health challenges.

💬 What do you think is the biggest challenge in preventing future zoonotic disease outbreaks: surveillance, farming practices, or public awareness?

20/07/2026

🥖📉 Food waste in Dutch supermarkets has remained at its lowest level since monitoring began in 2018.

For the third year in a row, just 0.9% of all food purchased by supermarkets ended up as actual food waste. The results of the latest Retail Food Waste Monitor show that the retail sector continues to make progress in reducing waste, particularly for bread and fresh meat and fish.

The monitor, developed by Wageningen University & Research together with partners from across the food chain, not only tracks food waste but also identifies where further improvements can be made. While some product categories have seen substantial reductions, others, such as dairy products and chilled ready-made meals, still present opportunities for targeted action.

According to WUR researcher Martijntje Vollebregt, the next step is to look beyond volumes alone. By also considering the carbon footprint of food losses, supermarkets can better prioritise where interventions have the greatest environmental impact.

Reducing food waste is an ongoing process. Better demand forecasting, smarter technologies and collaboration throughout the food chain remain key to making our food system more sustainable.

💬 Where do you think supermarkets can make the biggest impact in reducing food waste over the coming years?

19/07/2026

🌊 Detmer Sipkema appointed Personal Professor of Marine Microbiology

The ocean contains an enormous diversity of microbes and chemical compounds, many of which are still unknown to science. Some could even contribute to the development of new antibiotics, antiviral drugs or cancer therapies.

As of 1 July 2026, Detmer Sipkema has been appointed Personal Professor of Marine Microbiology at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on the ecology and chemical interactions of marine organisms and the microorganisms they live with.

By studying marine life, including organisms in the largely unexplored deep sea, he aims to better understand the role of bioactive compounds in nature and explore how they could benefit society.

Congratulations on your appointment, Detmer!

12/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Omid Noroozi on his appointment as Personal Professor of Technology-Enhanced Transformative Learning at Wageningen University & Research.

Omid's research explores how technology, including generative AI, can support meaningful learning, critical thinking, learner agency and responsible action. By bringing together educational technology, AI literacy and human-AI collaboration, his work helps shape learning environments that prepare students to navigate complex societal challenges.

As part of the Education & Learning Sciences chair group, Omid continues to contribute to research that looks beyond efficiency alone, focusing instead on how technology can empower learners to think critically, make informed decisions and create lasting impact.

Congratulations, Omid, on this well-deserved milestone. We wish you every success in your new role!

09/07/2026

🌿👏 We are proud to announce the appointment of Buijs as Personal Professor of Human-Nature Relations and Transformative Change at Wageningen University & Research!

As an environmental sociologist in the Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group, he studies how relationships between people and nature can contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainability transitions. His research explores how people’s experiences of nature shape environmental values, collective action and societal change.

A key focus of his work is public support for nature conservation. While many people value biodiversity, environmental policies can also face resistance and polarisation. Buijs studies how different perspectives on nature emerge in society, and how they influence public and political debates.

In his new role, he aims to further strengthen the connection between science and society. By combining ecological knowledge with a deeper understanding of how people experience and value nature in everyday life, he contributes to new ways of thinking about biodiversity and transformative change.

Congratulations, Arjen! We look forward to seeing what’s ahead in this new role.

Adres

Droevendaalsesteeg 2
Wageningen
6708PB

Telefoon

+31317480100

Website

https://www.wur.nl/

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