Dr Roy Erkens (R.H.J.)
I am an Associate Professor with 25 years of experience in university education, research and policy. My career has been mainly education focussed and I have been involved in the development of several UM bachelor and master programmes. I have been chairman of the Educational Programme Committee at the Maastricht Science Programme and vice-chair of the Board of Examiners for the Maastricht School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I regularly publish on my work on biodiversity, also based on work done with my students.
Expertises
My main research focus has been the investigation of patterns in plant biodiversity within the Neotropics and Europe. In this way I contribute to a better understanding of the evolution and distribution of biodiversity (genetic and biological).
This research line will be strengthened in the light of the new System Earth Science (SES) department of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the Greenport Campus Venlo. At the same campus I am leading the development of the new bachelor Sustainable Bioscience and master Crop Biotechnology and Engineering.
Next to this I am involved in teaching at the Maastricht Science Programme, focussing on tropical biology.
Career history
Associate Professor Evolutionary Diversity and Biogeography
System Earth Science, Maastricht University (2023- )
Maastricht Science Programme, Maastricht University (2021- 2024)
Senior lecturer Evolution and Biodiversity
Maastricht Science Programme, Maastricht University (2017-2021)
Lecturer Evolutionary Biology
Maastricht Science Programme, Maastricht University (2012 – 2017)
Assistant Professor
Ecology and Biodiversity group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University (2006 – 2012)
PhD-student
Plant systematics group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University (2000 – 2006)