Advancing understanding of biological interactions through research, education, and science communication.
I founded Beeck Biosciences as a way to bring together my research, teaching and science communication activities under one platform. I obtained my master's in Biology at Wageningen University and Research with a background in ecology, biosystematics and entomology.
My interest in education is rooted in a long-standing fascination with how people learn and process information. I have been actively involved in teaching and tutoring throughout my education, and I enjoy explaining complex concepts in multiple ways to support students with diverse learning needs.
I am currently involved in education and science communication at university level. My teaching activities include lecturing, leading tutorials, assisting with practicals, and supervising student projects.
My research activities focus on ecological and evolutionary interactions between insects, plants, and their natural enemies. I work primarily in entomology and biosystematics, combining fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and integrative taxonomic approaches.
Current and recent research includes butterfly ecology, plant defence responses to insect oviposition, and the taxonomy of minute egg parasitoids (Trichogramma), using both morphological and molecular data.
Below are examples from my field and laboratory work, illustrating the study systems and methods that currently shape my research.
A central study system in my work is the interaction between Troidini butterflies, their host plants (Aristolochia), and egg parasitoids.
I work on the taxonomy of Trichogramma parasitoids by integrating morphological and molecular approaches to support both species identification and biological control applications.
During my time working on Trichogramma i obtained the rare skill of dissecting, mounting and imaging minute parasitoid wasps.
During my field work in Sabah (Borneo, Malaysia) i researched the ecology of Troidini caterpillars, including the endemic Troides andromache(pictured).
I have studied how host plants respond to butterfly egg deposition, including defence mechanisms such as localized cell death and tissue modification, and how egg parasitoids fit into these multitrophic interactions.
During my studies I gained experience in creating taxonomic figures.
I have shared my work at several conferences, such as the Entomology Day and Zoology conference, by giving a presentation or making a poster.
Ecology and systematics of insects, with a focus on butterflies and egg parasitoids.
Skills in DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses.
University-level teaching, supervision, and training in biological subjects and presentation skills.