PE&RC discussion groups

Ecological Theory and Application

We meet once a month and we have two basic types of meetings that we try to alternate. We either discuss the work of one of the group members (i.e. the draft of a manuscript, a research proposal, sent around in advance, or a talk) or we invite a speaker to give an overview over a topic or methodology that is of general interest. This can range from general theory to statistics but also recent publications on ecological topics. The main aim of the group is to provide help with manuscript (proposal, talk) preparation and to improve writing skills by giving and receiving constructive comments.

 

To participate please contact Veronique Vos (Veronique.Vos@wur.nl)

 

 

Plant-insect interaction

The discussion group deals with the molecular, chemical and ecological aspects of plant-insect interactions. Predominantly, we address interactions between plants and herbivores or plants and natural enemies of herbivores. Our aim is to discuss research plans and experimental results. During a meeting of 50 minutes, one or two persons present their work. From September until June, we meet once a month at the Laboratory of Entomology (building 511, C21). Meetings are on Tuesdays starting at 12:30 and can be attended by PhD, post-doc, staff members and others that are interested in plant-insect interactions.

 

For further information and to participate please contact Erik Poelman (Erik.Poelman@wur.nl) .

 

 

FLOP: Frontier Literature in Plant Physiology

Frontier Literature of Plant Physiology - we discuss recently published papers, submitted manuscripts and concept papers important for, or written by one of the participant each time. One of the participants selects the paper, sends it to all of us at least one week in advance. In our monthly meeting, the paper is presented in 10 minutes by this participant, and we discuss its contents based on questions like:

Our aim is to improve our publication skills, and to learn more about the work of our colleague PhD students in the fields of whole plant physiology, crop physiology, crop ecology and product physiology.

 

Chairperson of a meeting is Dr. Ep Heuvelink or Dr. Wim van Ieperen

 

 

Experimental Evolution Discussion Group (EEDG)

Central in this discussion group is the interest in experimental work on evolutionary issues. Participants come from various groups (o.a. Microbiology, Genetics, Phytopathology, Entomology, Resource ecology). The group meets every 2 months and during the meeting two presentations are given on either research in progress, a paper, a presentation or a literature study. Furthermore time is also reserved to exchange information on interesting meetings, courses etc.

 

For further information and to participate please contact Arjan de Visser (arjan.devisser@wur.nl)

 

 

Wageningen Evolution and Ecology Seminars (WEES)

Wageningen Evolution and Ecology Seminars (WEES) is a monthly seminar series organised by  called. It is an initiative of PhD candidates and postdocs at Wageningen University to organize a continuing series of stimulating seminars on contemporary topics in evolution and ecology. We aim to bring together different groups at Wageningen University using a variety of systems, but with a common interest in evolutionary and ecological questions. For this series we invite researchers from all over the world that have leading roles in their field. After the talk there will be drinks for an informal discussion and a dinner in town with the speaker.

 

Preceding each talk a Master Class can be attended. The Master Class is organized for interested PhD and MSc students. In the Master Class the attendants have the possibility to meet the speaker of the seminar and have a discussion based on recent papers suggested by the speaker. The Master classes are a good possibility to get acquainted with hot topics in ecology and evolutionary biology and to learn to discuss these topics with leading scientists in the field. MSc students can get credits for the Master Class.

 

The seminars will be held every 3rd Thursday of the month from 16:00 to 17:00. For more information click here

 

 

Ecogenomics discussion group

This discussion group is about the application of population genetic and genomics techniques in ecology.  Population genetics, i.e. the use of molecular markers to study the ecology and evolutionary history of natural populations, has become an inextricable part of modern ecology. Population genomics can be broadly defined as the simultaneous study of numerous loci or genome regions to better understand the roles of evolutionary processes that influence variation across genomes and populations. It includes genome-wide effects related to population demography and phylogenetic history, and locus-specific effects related the function and variation of adaptive genes in an ecological context. Next to these population aspects, "omics" can be used to understand ecological relevant functions, traits and interactions.

 

The group meets every 2 months. During each meeting two presentations are given on ongoing research, a paper, a presentation or a literature study. A short discussion is held afterwards.

 

For more information contact pim.vanhooft@wur.nl.

 

 

Climate change & Soil-water-atmosphere Interactions - “CSI Wageningen”

The focus of this PhD discussion group is on soil-water-atmosphere interactions related to climate change. This includes processes causing, counteracting and resulting from climate change, e.g. greenhouse gas emission, carbon sequestration, or the effects of permafrost melting. Research interests span across various time and spatial scales, and go from field and laboratory studies to method development and mechanistic modelling.

 

For more information, contact Roland Klefoth.

 

 

Stakeholder Participation in Research

The aim of this group is to offer a space for PhD students from different disciplines to discuss how different methods of stakeholder participation can be implemented in research. Stakeholder participation can have many benefits for research that focuses on societal and/or environmental issues by gaining access to local knowledge and providing clues for cooperative development. However, working with stakeholder groups can also bring up particular challenges. These opportunities and challenges will be the topic of this discussion group. Stakeholder participation will be discussed in relation to these topics:

 

At least once per month, a PhD student or a guest speaker presents a case study in which stakeholder participation plays a relevant role.

If you are interested in joining this discussion group, please let us know! If you know other people (also from outside PE&RC) who might be interested, feel free to forward this e-mail. Our first introduction meeting will be held on Wednesday September 5, during lunchtime. More information will follow.

 

The coordinators of the group are Mathijs van Vliet (Marthijs.vanVliet@wur.nl)  and Frans Hermans (Frans.Hermans@wur.nl).

 

 

Biofuels: an interdisciplinary Approach

Concerns over climate change and rising oil prices have caused a strong interest in renewable energy recently. In particular the production of so-called bio-fuels is considered an interesting opportunity for the agricultural sector. Within WUR, research is being conducted on a number of topics related to the production of these bio-fuels. Agricultural production systems of bio fuels and their potential impact on food security, biodiversity and the environment are being studied. Specific crops for production of bio fuels also receive attention: the tropical shrub Jatropha curcas is currently seen as a promising producer of biodiesel, especially for developing countries. At WUR, information is collected on suitable cultivation practices while its genetic resources are investigated.

 

On the processing side, researchers focus among others on the production of ethanol from grass and food industry residues, and the production of biogas from wastewater and manure.

 

In short, the introduction of bio fuel production systems touches on a great number of research subjects from a great number of disciplines. PhD students are active in several of these areas. However, since they work in very different chair groups, scientific interaction among them is often limited. Creating a new discussion group on bio-fuels could change this: it would help broadening views beyond one’s own discipline hence improve overall understanding of the area. A platform for exchanging information will also help PhD students keeping pace with rapid developments.

 

To be member of this group please mail Sander de Vries

 

 

Scaling and Governance

For more information and participation in this discussion group please contact: Susan Boonman-Berson, Maryia Mandryk or Menno Mandemaker

 

 

Spatial Methods (SPAM)

This discussion group is aiming at sharing and discussing issues related to spatial methods. Participants (PhD students) can present their research and/or can discuss problems they encounter. Supervisors are invited to share their knowledge on spatial methods. We actively invite researchers from outside Wageningen working to present their work. Main topics of the discussion group are:

The discussion group is a low-threshold platform where PhD students can pose questions and problems and can present their work in every phase of their research. They are motivated to come up with interesting topics.

 

The meetings are facilitated by Monique Gulickx (monique.gulickx@wur.nl), Wouter van Gorp (wouter.vangorp@wur.nl) and Dominik Fuchs (dominik.fuchs@wur.nl) Please contact these people when you want to join the group

 

 

Mathematics, statistics and modelling in Production Ecology and Resource Conservation (Maths & Stats)

The discussion group aims at generating discussion on statistical methods and modelling concepts. By stimulating these discussions we intend to motivate PhD-students for exploring new methods in environmental sciences. We primarily invite experts to give a short talk about their innovative methodology, where after we have a plenary discussion on the usability for our fields of interest. The discussion group is meant for PhD students at any stage of their research but is open for anyone who is interested. The group gets together once a month.

 

Topics for discussions and guest speaker to be invited are chosen by the participants of the discussion group. Examples of past topics are:

 

If you would like to join our group you can send an email to either Rudy Jonker (Rudy.Jonker@wur.nl)  or Valérie Laurent (Valerie.Laurent@wur.nl)  the coordinators of this group.