Graduate School EPS

Decoding Leafy Head Formation in Brassica Using Machine Learning
2026-04-15 10:30 - 12:00 (Europe/Amsterdam) | Gelderland
PhD candidate: W (Wei) Sun MSc
Promotor: Dr. AB (Guusje) Bonnema
Co-promotors: Prof.dr. A.D.J. (Aalt-Jan) van Dijk / Prof. X (Xiaowu) Wang
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Plant Breeding
Date: Wednesday 15 April 2026
Time: 10:30 h

EPS Annual Meeting 2026
2026-03-30 - 2026-03-31 | Hotel Zuiderduin, Zeeweg 52, Egmond aan Zee, 1931 VL, Netherlands
Every year, around 475 members of the Dutch plant science community gather for a two-day meeting, making it the premier event for networking and collaboration. This annual meeting is a unique opportunity for young plant scientists to connect with established researchers across the Netherlands, engage with cutting-edge research, and explore potential collaborations through mini-meetings.
For alumni from abroad, it’s an excellent chance to stay updated on the latest developments in Dutch plant sciences. The event also attracts representatives from the plant science industry, further enriching the discussions and opportunities available.

The Microbial Fingerprint of Drought – Patterns and Drivers of Microbiome Assembly in the Rhizosphere of Water-Stressed Plants
2026-03-27 13:00 - 14:30 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: RL (Roland) Berdaguer MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. CS (Christa) Testerink
Co-promotors: Dr. R (Rumyana) Karlova
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Laboratory of Plant Physiology
Date: Friday 27 March 2026
Time: 13:00 h

Genetic variation in the lettuce pangenome
2026-03-26 10:30 - 12:00 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: FJM (Dirk-Jan) van Workum MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. D (Dick) de Ridder
Co-promotors: Dr. S (Sandra) Smit Prof.dr. ME (Eric) Schranz
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Bioinformatics
Date: Thursday 26 March 2026
Time: 10:30 h

On the side of the plant cell: proteomic insights into lateral cell polarity
2026-03-20 15:30 - 17:00 | Gelderland
On the side of the plant cell: proteomic insights into lateral cell polarity
PhD candidate: E (Evgeniya) Pukhovaya MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. D (Dolf) Weijers
Co-promotor: Dr. C (Catherine) Albrecht
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Laboratory of Biochemistry
Date: Friday 20 March 2026
Time: 15:30 h

EPS Introduction Course (including scientific integrity element) - Spring 2026
2026-03-16 | Wageningen Campus, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen, Gelderland, 6708 PB, Netherlands
EPS Introduction Course (including scientific integrity element)
Target group: 1st year EPS PhD candidates, limit of 25 persons
Registration: After personal invitation by Susan Urbanus (list from older to more recent registrations)
Timing: Every half year, around spring and autumn
Location: Wageningen area
Credits: 0,3 credits (1-day event)
Costs: Free of charge (late-cancellation fee of 50 EUR and a no-show fee of 100 EUR applies)
During this course you will hear more about the graduate school EPS, explore issues such as scientific integrity, common PhD challenges, teamwork, and get to know your fellow PhD candidates.
All EPS PhD candidates are welcome to join this course, but please note that the course is mandatory for EPS PhD candidates that will defend their thesis at Wageningen University & Research. (In case a WUR EPS PhD candidate is repeatedly not able to join this course, it will be mandatory to join the WGS course on Scientific Integrity in a time of their own choosing.)

On the frond row: Sporophyte development in the fern Ceratopteris richardii
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:30 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: SJ (Sjoerd) Woudenberg MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. D (Dolf) Weijers
Co-promotor: Dr. JM (João) Jacob Ramalho
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Laboratory of Biochemistry
Date: Thursday 19 February 2026
Time: 13:00 h

Unraveling the plant cell wall integrity mechanisms in nematode feeding structures (using spatial transcriptomics)
2026-02-06 10:30 - 12:00 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: TE (Anna) Pijnacker MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. G (Geert) Smant
Co-promotor: Dr. JL (José) Lozano Torres
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Laboratory of Nematology
Date: Friday 6 February 2026
Time: 10:30 h

Advanced Course Microscopy and Spectroscopy in Food and Plant Sciences
2026-02-02 - 2026-02-04 | Wageningen Campus, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen, Gelderland, 6708 PB, Netherlands
Recurring course, next edition: first quarter 2027
Course description
The Micro Spectroscopy Centre (MSC) and the Wageningen Light Microscopy Centre (WLMC) of Wageningen University jointly organize an advanced practical course, funded by VLAG & EPS, for PhD candidates and postdocs. The course covers both theoretical and hands-on training in a range of advanced microscopic and microspectroscopic techniques with broad applications in Food and Plant Sciences.
Course content
The course offers a complete program, starting with proper sample preparations and a fundamental understanding in the optics of image and contrast formation, including key concepts like resolution, diffraction and image generation. With a focus on confocal fluorescence imaging and the currently available range of probes, participants will gain an overview of all bright-field imaging techniques available at WUR. Advanced imaging methods like spinning disk, multiphoton, multispectral, TIRF, FRET, FLIM and STED will be explored to obtain quantitative data on molecular localization and interactions at super resolution either in living cells or in complex food samples. Practical sessions include advanced demonstrations in small groups of max. 6 participants.
In addition, we have included a Fiji/ImageJ tutorial (hands on) to introduce the basics of data processing and to guide participants in identifying suitable algorithms for their quantitative research questions. The overall aim of this course is to equip participants with a clear understanding of how to select suitable imaging methods and apply effective data processing strategies tailored to their project research needs
Date: 2-4 February 2026
Location: Radix-West (WLMC), Helix (MSC) at WUR Campus
Target group: PhD candidates & postdocs
Participants: max. 24 (selection based on submitted abstract and microscopy needs)
Study load: 0.9 ECTS
Registration: closed, the selection of participants will be announced soon
Organizers: EPS (contact: Anja Mosselman) & VLAG with the MicroSpectroscopy Research Facility and the Wageningen Light Microscopy Centre of Wageningen University (contact: Norbert de Ruijter)
Lectures & Tutors:

Norbert de Ruijter (WUR-Cell and Developmental Biology)
Peter van Gisbergen (WUR-Cell and Developmental Biology)
Jan Willem Borst (WUR-Biochemistry)
Arjen Bader (WUR-Biophysics)
Johannes Hohlbein (WUR-Biophysics)

Fees:

The course fee (which includes coffee/tea during breaks, lunches and one dinner but does not cover accommodation) depends on the participant’s affiliation:

Affiliation
Early Bird fee**
Regular fee

VLAG/EPS and other WU PhD candidates*
€ 260
€ 310

Other PhD candidates
€ 520
€ 570

Postdocs registered with EPS
€ 390
€440

Postdocs registered with VLAG
€ 520
€ 570

Staff affiliated with VLAG and EPS
€ 520
€ 570

All other postdocs and academic staff, non-profit
€ 1040
€ 1090

Industry / For-Profit organisations
€ 2000
€ 2050

* VLAG/PE&RC/EPS/WIAS/WASS/WIMEK PhD candidates with an approved TSP
** Early bird fee applies to anyone who REGISTERS ON OR BEFORE 1 December 2025
Cancellation Policy:

You may cancel free of charge up to 1 month before the start of the course. After this date you will be charged the University fee. Unless:

You can find someone to replace you in the course and supply the course coordinator with the name and contact information of your replacement.
In this case you will only be charged a € 50 – cancellation fee.
You ( PhDs and postdocs ) have a valid reason to cancel (illness or death in the family 1st or 2nd degree).
In this case you will be charged the reduced fee and your supervisor/PI must send a mail indicating the reason for cancellation.

Deadline: The final registration date is 14 December 2025.
We kindly ask you to submit a short description of your research question, and why you would like to join the course during the registration. You will be notified on acceptance of your registration a few days after the deadline. Additional information will follow afterwards.

EPS Bioinformatics course-Module 1 "Sequence similarity, databases and resources & Genomics"
2026-01-29 08:00 - 2026-01-30 17:00 | Wageningen Campus, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen, Gelderland, 6708 PB, Netherlands
Date: 29 and 30 of January 2026
Location: Forum building, room B0425, Campus Wageningen University
Target group: PhD candidates, postdocs and interested persons (max 40)
Registration: closed
Day 1: “Sequence similarity, databases and resources”
Join the course module on Sequence Similarity Databases & Resources and learn how to explore genetic data like a pro!

Understand global databases like GenBank, UniProt, and Ensembl
Use powerful tools like BLAST, PSI-BLAST, and FASTA
Analyze sequence homology and predict gene/protein function
Explore evolutionary relationships and genome annotations
Hands-on practice with real biological data!

Trainer: Rens Holmer (WUR)
Day 2: “Genomics ”
Join the course module Comprehensive Genomics Course and gain the skills to understand, analyze, and interpret the genetic code
Content:

Fundamentals of genome structure and function
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies
Genome annotation, assembly, and variant analysis
Functional genomics, transcriptomics & epigenomics
Applications

Trainers: Harm Nijveen, Sandra Smit (WUR), Basten Snoek (UU)

Category
Fee

EPS PhD candidates with approved TSP & Wur PhD candidates with approved TSP
€200

Postdocs registered with EPS
€275

EPS academic staff
€325

Postdocs and academic staff
€440

Industry
€1200

Underground alarms: volatile-mediated recruitment of beneficial soil bacteria by plants under biotic stress
2026-01-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: MS (Muhammad) Rizaludin MSc
Promotors: Prof.dr. JM (Jos) Raaijmakers / Prof.dr. P (Paolina) Garbeva
Organization: Leiden University NIOO-KNAW – Department of Microbial Ecology
Date: Wednesday 21 January 2026
Time: 13:00 h

Plant mechanisms involved in recruitment of disease-suppressive microbiota
2026-01-12 10:15 - 11:15 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: R (Run) Qi MSc
Promotors: Prof.dr. ACM (Saskia) van Wees / Prof.dr. CMJ (Corné) Pieterse
Organization: Utrecht University – Plant-microbe interactions
Date: Monday 12 January 2026
Time: 10:15 h

No boundaries, no benefits: The role of root defense barriers in microbiome assembly
2025-12-17 12:15 - 13:15 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: M (Melissa) Uribe Acosta MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. CMJ (Corné) Pieterse
Co-Promotor: Dr. G (Giannis) Stringlis
Organization: Utrecht University – Plant-microbe interactions
Date: Wednesday 17 December 2025
Time: 12:15 h

Versatile FRUITFULL; Redundancy and Specificity in Tomato
2025-12-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: X (Xiaowei) Wang MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. GC (Gerco) Angenent
Co-Promotors: Dr. RA (Ruud) de Maagd
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Date: Monday 15 December 2025
Time: 10:30 h

Unlocking Regeneration: An Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Tool for Plants
2025-12-12 10:30 - 12:00 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: J (Jana) Wittmer MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. BKG (Ben) Scheres
Co-Promotors: Dr. R (Renze) Heidstra Dr. W (Wouter) Kohlen
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Laboratory of Cell Biology
Date: Friday 12 December 2025
Time: 10:30 h

Sebastian Bargmann - To Cell and Back: the study of plant regeneration from protoplasts
2025-12-11 11:15 - 12:15 | Wageningen Campus, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen, Gelderland, 6708 PB, Netherlands
Speaker: Dr Sebastian Bargmann Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Location: Wageningen Campus, Radix, meeting room W1
To Cell and Back: the study of plant regeneration from protoplasts
Recalcitrance in tissue culture is a significant bottleneck in the application of biotechnological approaches for crop trait improvement. The ability to regenerate a fertile plant from genetically modified cells is essential to many methodologies. Non-transgenic gene editing through transient transformation and subsequent regeneration of protoplasts is especially hampered by genotype dependence in regenerability. We have established a protoplast culture system in Arabidopsis to study the fundamental basis of regeneration. Our method allows us to track protoplast division and microcallus development microscopically over time. In addition, we can use single-cell and single-colony transcriptomic analysis to characterize the gene-regulatory networks that guide re-entry into the cell cycle and subsequent growth and differentiation. Lastly, we have studied the ability of morphogenic transcription factors to enhance regeneration by mapping their direct and indirect downstream effects using the TARGET-seq system (Transient Assay Reporting Genome-wide Effects of Transcription factors). A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in protoplast regeneration and the development of methods to enhance regeneration efficiency can broaden the applicability of biotechnological tools to improve sustainability and resilience of our agricultural systems.
For more information please contact Dr Renze Heidstra (Renze.Heidstra@wur.nl)

EPS workshop "Transcription factors and transcriptional regulation"
2025-12-10 - 2025-12-12 | Utrecht University Library, Heidelberglaan 3, Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CS
Gene regulation is a fundamental and dynamic process in all living organisms. In plants, precise regulation of gene expression is crucial for development, environmental responses, and adaptation. This EPS graduate course offers an in-depth exploration of the complex regulatory networks controlling gene expression in plants, with a focus on transcriptional regulation, epigenetics, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs.
Participants will gain both theoretical and practical insights through a combination of expert lectures, discussions, and hands-on sessions.
Below you can find the highlights for this course and the course fees. The full programme can be downloaded here.
Group size: maximum of 40 participants
Credits: 1.0 ECTS
Registration: closed
Organizers: Marian Bemer (Wageningen University and Research), Jason Gardinier (Utrecht University) and Maike Stam (University of Amsterdam)
Location: Boothzaal (M.03), Utrecht University Library, Utrecht University
Course Highlights

Lectures by leading experts covering:
Transcription factor (TF) function and binding
DNA methylation and histone modifications
3D chromatin conformation and epigenetic memory
Long non-coding and small RNAs in gene regulation

Invited speakers:
Christel Carles (University of Grenoble Alpes)
Etienne Bucher (Agroscope)
Sebastian Marquardt (Copenhagen University)
Bas van Steensel (Netherlands Cancer Institute)
Tineke Lenstra (Netherlands Cancer Institute)
Frank Lanfermeijer (Bejo)
Victoria Mironova (Radboud University)
Marcel Proveniers (Utrecht University)
Michael Nodine (Wageningen University & Research)
Wilma van Esse (Wageningen University & Research)
Richard Immink (Wageningen University & Research)
Computer workshop:Learn how to analyze transcription factor binding sites and other regulatory elements using ChIP-seq and NGS datasets. Develop skills in genome browser tools, motif analysis, and network construction.
Poster session with 3-minute pitches:All participants will present themselves and their own research (recent past, present or plans) in a poster session, including a concise 3-minute oral pitch to practice communicating key findings and research goals effectively. If you already have a poster, you do not need to make a new one for this course.

Paper discussion of keynote speakers:In preparation for keynote lectures, selected scientific papers from invited speakers will be discussed in small groups. This will provide participants with the opportunity to engage critically with cutting-edge research and interact directly with leading scientists in the field.

Target Audience
This course is designed for PhD students, but is also suitable for postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists interested in gene regulation, epigenetics, or plant molecular biology. A basic understanding of molecular biology and genomics is recommended.
Participants are expected to:
Present a poster about their research (interests) with a short pitch
Engage in scientific discussions
Participate in the analysis workshop
Prepare for and contribute to paper discussion sessions
Download programme

Category
Fee

EPS PhD students with approved TSP
€ 285

postdocs registered with EPS
€ 325

EPS academic staff
€ 450

PhD students, postdocs and academic staff
€ 610

Industry
€ 1100

No Frontiers in Microbial Ecology: The role of microbiomes in a sustainable future for our planet
2025-12-07 - 2025-12-12 | Parkhotel De Bosrand, Bosrand 28, Ede, 6718 ZN, Netherlands
Scope
Microbial communities are vital to life on Earth. These “invisible creatures” catalyze global elemental cycles, regulate climate, and support human and environmental health and thereby play a critical role in mitigating climate change, ensuring sustainable food and energy production as well as sustainable industrial production.
This one-week course explores the dynamic interplay between microbiomes and their environments, focusing on their contributions to sustainability. Participants will tackle critical questions: How do microbial communities influence climate regulation, nitrogen and carbon cycling, and how they play in mitigating or exacerbating climate change? How can microbiomes support sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil fertility and health, improving crop resilience, and reducing reliance on chemical inputs? What potential do microbial ecosystems hold for sustainable energy production, while minimizing environmental impacts? How can microbiome science be applied to solve challenges in waste management and resource conservation? How can we steer microbiomes to reach these goals? It may not give clear answers, but lots of new ideas, insights, perspectives, friends and research directions, we expect. More than enough reasons to participate in this course!
Course set-up
The course is composed of a series of lectures, subsequent discussions, working group activities, and poster sessions. The course will start on Sunday in the late afternoon (4 PM) with welcome drinks, a dinner, and poster pitches.

Belowground Battles: Root Fly Resistance in Brassicas
2025-12-04 13:00 - 14:30 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: S (Shuhang) Wang MSc
Promotors: Prof.dr. JJA (Joop) van Loon Prof.dr. M. Dicke
Co-Promotors: Dr. BJ (Ben) Vosman Dr. RE (Roeland) Voorrips
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Laboratory of Entomology
Date: Thursday 4 December 2025
Time: 13:00 h

Mapping Natural Product Diversity through Genomics
2025-11-28 10:30 - 12:00 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: NF (Niek) de Jonge MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. D (Dick) de Ridder
Co-Promotors: Dr. JJJ (Justin) van der Hooft Prof.dr. F (Florian) Huber
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Bioinformatics
Date: Friday 28 November 2025
Time: 10:30 h

GLS seminar Rebecca Mosher - RNA-directed DNA Methylation: a maternal influence during seed development
2025-11-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Gelderland
GLS seminar by Rebecca Mosher – RNA directed DNA Methylation: a maternal influence during seed development
Speaker: Rebecca Mosher (Becky Mosher) University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Date: Tuesday 25 November 2025
Time: 15:00 -16:00
Location UvA Science Park 904, Room C0.05
Host: Maike Stam
*followed by a meet up with the speaker for GLS master students, PhD candidates, and postdocs of the plant groups (hosted by Juliette Aubert)
24-nt small interfering (si)RNAs establish DNA methylation at thousands of genomic loci in a process called RNA-directed DNA Methylation (RdDM). RdDM is dispensable for growth and development in Arabidopsis, but is required for reproduction in many other plant species, particularly historically outbreeding species. In Brassica rapa, the embryo and endosperm abort if RdDM is disrupted in the maternal sporophyte, implying communication between maternal and filial tissues. During reproduction, 24-nt siRNAs are particularly abundant in maternal sporophytic tissue such as the seed coat, largely due to overwhelming expression from a small number of “siren” loci. Siren loci account for over 90% of siRNAs in ovules and early seeds, and many siRNAs are produced from gene fragments embedded in these loci. We recently demonstrated that these siRNAs trigger methylation at homologous protein-coding genes, and in some cases this trans-methylation impacts expression of the target gene. In the endosperm, siren siRNAs are maternally biased, suggesting that siRNAs might be transported to, and function in, filial tissues. Together, these observations suggest that maternally-derived siren siRNAs might methylate protein-coding genes in filial tissues to influence seed development.

Two papers linked to the seminar:

Grover JW et al, PNAS 2020
Burgess D et al, Plant Cell 2022

EPS Theme 4 - Genome Biology and Gene Regulation
2025-11-24 09:30 - 17:00 | Wageningen Campus, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen, Gelderland, 6708 PB, Netherlands
We invite you to the yearly Theme 4- scientific day exploring genome biology and gene regulation in plants.
Understanding the remarkable phenotypic complexity in plants requires insight into how genomes are organized and regulated. From transcription factors and non-coding RNAs to chromatin structure and epigenetic modifications, a diverse array of mechanisms control gene expression and genome stability.
Join us to discuss the interplay between genetic and epigenetic regulation, molecular networks, and evolutionary processes shaping plant development.
PhD students and postdoctoral researchers are especially encouraged to contribute. Are you interested in giving a presentation? Please contact the theme day coordinators, Maike Stam (UvA) and/or Aalt-Jan van Dijk (UvA), before 15 October 2025.
Date: 24.11.2025Time: 09:30 -17:00Location: Room B9010, Aurora Building (nr 127), Campus Wageningen University & Research
Fee: EPS member free (by no show a fee of € 100 will be charged). Fee for Participants from the industry €150
Registration: closed
Coordinators: Maike Stam (UvA), Aalt-Jan van Dijk (UvA)
Programme (download link below)
9.00-9.30 registration
9.30-9.40 opening
9.40-10.20 Keynote Rebecca Mosher (University of Oxford) RNA-directed DNA methylation: a maternal influence during seed development
10.20-10.40 Yingying Gao (WUR) Rapid evolution concomitant with DNA-hypomethylation status: potential from activated endogenous transposons
10.40-11.00 Juliette Aubert (UvA) Single-Molecule Methylation Profiling at the repetitive b1 Paramutation Locus in Maize
11.00-11.30 break
11.30-11.50 Marlot Westera (UvA) Don’t shoot the messenger: Cross kingdom RNA interference in the thrips-tospovirus-tomato interaction
11.50-12.10 Yiyun Li (WUR) Transcriptional networks guiding root branching under salt stress
12.10-12.30 Elmar van der Wijk (Radboud University) Self-organization of auxin transport through dose-dependent PIN regulation
12.30-14.00 lunch
14.00-14.40 Keynote Charles Underwood (Radboud University) Forever hybrid: natural and engineered propagation of hybrid genomes through seeds
14.40-15.00 Christina Papastolopoulou (WUR) Pangenomics to unlock, understand and use genetic variation in the Capsicum genus
15.00-15.20 Peter Polacek (WUR) GWAS and candidate gene discovery in a unified, user-friendly web interface
15.20-15.50 break
15.50-16.10 David Meijer (WUR) Generating metabolite structures for biosynthetic gene clusters
16.10-16.40 Isabella Sanders (WUR) + Alex Sánchez Cano (UvA)
Prediction of protein-protein interaction specificity of MADS domains transcription factors from a molecular biology and machine learning perspective
16.40-16.45 closure
16.45-17.45 drinks
Programme

A Journey into Lettuce Chronobiology: From Domestication and Clock Diversity to Applying Circadian Resonance
2025-11-20 15:30 - 17:00 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: C (Cèlia) Anton Sales MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. AB (Guusje) Bonnema
Co-Promotor: Dr. MJW (Marieke) Keuken
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Plant Breeding
Date: Thursday 20 November 2025
Time: 15:30 h

EPSO Plant Science Seminar “Understanding the impact of plant insect interactions”
2025-11-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Online
EPSO Plant Science Seminar “Understanding the impact of plant insect interactions”
Register for the 47th EPSO Plant Science Seminar – the 20th November 2025 seminar will focus on the “Understanding the impact of plant insect interactions”

Assoc Prof. Petra Bleeker, Univ of Amsterdam, NL
Dr Jorunn Bos, Hutton Institute, UK
Dr. Elena Valdés Correcher, CSIC, ES

EPSO members register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/aTkdytQdQUmKuAXPShbuGA
to receive the meeting link

Designing and analyzing a synthetic community to mitigate ammonia emissions produced by livestock fecal microbiota
2025-11-14 15:30 - 17:00 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: J (Jun) Liu MSc
Promotors: Prof.dr. D (Dick) de Ridder Prof.dr. MX (Mingxiong) He
Co-Promotors: Dr. A (Anne) Kupczok Dr. J (Jing) He
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Bioinformatics
Date: Fridayday 14 November 2025
Time: 15:30 h

From Defence to Design: Mining Microbial Immunity for CRISPR Tools Tailored to Plant Genome Engineering
2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: LH (Lisa) Olijslager MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. D (Dolf) Weijers
Co-Promotor: Dr. DC (Daan) Swarts
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Biochemistry
Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025
Time: 13:00 h

EPS Theme 1 – Developmental Biology of Plants
2025-11-10 09:30 - 17:00 | Utrecht, Science Park, Kruyt building, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
We warmly invite you to a theme day dedicated to exploring the molecular and cellular foundations of plant development. The program will highlight how genetic information, meristematic activity, and environmental cues coordinate the formation of tissues and organs from the zygote through embryonic and post-embryonic stages. Join us for an engaging day of discussions on the dynamic processes that shape plant form and function.
Would you like to present your work?
PhD students and postdoctoral researchers are especially encouraged to contribute. Are you interested in giving a presentation? Please contact the theme day coordinators Kaisa Kajala (UU) and/or Viola Willemsen (WUR) before 15 October 2025.
Keynote speakers:
– Renske Vroomans, Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK
– Ari Pekka Mähönen, University of Helsinki, Finland
Date: 10.11.2025
Time: 09:30 -17:00
Location: Boothzaal (M.03), Utrecht University Library, Utrecht University
Fee: EPS member free (by no show a fee of € 100 will be charged). Fee for Participants from the industry €150

Registration: closed

Coordinators: Kaisa Kajala (UU), Viola Willemsen (WUR), and Juliane Teapal (EPS)
Programme (please note an additional PI pre-meeting programme will be sent to registered staff participants)
09:30 – 10:00 Registration and coffee
10:00 – 10:10 Welcome by Kaisa Kajala
10:10 – 10:50 Keynote: Renske Vroomans, The Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University: Using evolutionary simulations to predict plant patterning mechanisms.
10:50 – 11:15 Joyce Schreiber, Wageningen University & Research: Maintenance of quiescence in P. patens protonema is non- cell autonomously regulated and auxin-independent
11:15 – 11:45 Break
11:45 – 12:10 Cheuk Ka (Minnie) Leong, Wageningen University & Research: ABA-Auxin Crosstalk in Root Salt Stress Response.
12:10 – 12:35 Kailash Pandey, Wageningen University & Research: Regulation of Tomato Secondary Growth by FUL- and SOC1-like Genes.
12:35 – 14:00 Lunch at Educatorium
14:00 – 14:25 Eva van Zelm, Utrecht University: The Rhythm of Roots; Quantifying Lateral Root Priming.
14:25 – 14:50 Inka Stegemann, Leiden University: Genetic drivers of wood and lignin formation.
14:50 – 15:20 Break
15:20 – 15:45 Ruben De Francesco, Radboud University: Endoreduplication drives cellular differentiation in plant epidermis through the atypical cyclin family CYCP4s.
15:45 – 16:25 Keynote: Ari Pekka Mähönen, University of Helsinki: Stem cells of the vascular cambium: where a receptor captures its ligand
16:25 – 16:35 Closing by Viola Willemsen
16:35 – 18:00 Borrel
Download programme

Expanding sugar beet’s utility: genetic insights into leaf protein valorisation
2025-11-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Gelderland
PhD candidate: H (Hugo) Rijken MSc
Promotor: Prof.dr. LM (Luisa) Trindade
Co-Promotors: Dr. ME (Marieke) Bruins Dr. A (Aamir) Saleem
Organization: Wageningen University & Research – Plant Breeding
Date: Friday 7 November 2025
Time: 10:30 h

Intermediate Programming in R
2025-11-03 - 2025-11-14 | Gelderland
Monday 3, Friday 7, Monday 10 and Friday 14 November 2025
Scope
Extend participants’ basic knowledge of R by teaching them more advanced programming concepts and the use of R for more complex problem solving, going beyond just statistics. This course is for participants who want to deepen their knowledge of R programming and be able to use R to deal efficiently with computational problems and programming tasks. Participants will also gain more knowledge on working with R data structures and solving common problems, like working with and manipulating factors, extracting information from statistical models, working with other types of data (textual, time and dates) and handling multiple data files.
Highlights
Introduction to control flow and conditional logic in R
Creating your own functions, understanding anonymous functions
Introduction to functional programming with the package “purrr”
Working with factors
Working with the file system (importing, transforming and combining multiple files)
Debugging R code
Working with dates, times
Short introduction to creating reproducible documents (RMarkdown/Quarto)
Important
This course is not meant for R beginners. We strongly recommend that you first take part in our Introduction to R and R Studio workshop. Ideally, you also have exposure to the tidyverse from our Tidy Data workshop, but this is not required. Even self-taught R users are encouraged to first follow the introductory workshop to get a strong foundation of the basics that this course builds on.

Mindful Productivity for scientists
2025-10-31 09:00 - 2025-11-28 17:00 | Wageningen Campus, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen, Gelderland, 6708 PB, Netherlands
Mindful Productivity for Scientists is one of the signature courses of “I focus and write”. By the end of this course, the students will have a full strategy of productivity that starts with themselves at the center and builds up around the needs of each individual. For more information please have a look at the website.
The course includes a two day writing retreat to apply the learning goals.
This includes:
– An increase in self-awareness. The students identify their strengths, values, and purpose, which will be the basis for maintaining their motivation and set goals.
– A mindful approach to identify their common struggles (for example impostor syndrome, perfectionism, procrastination…), and how to respond to them so they can keep moving forward.
– How to set S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals aligned with their values and translate these into projects and tasks.
– Plan their work so they can manage their time and their energy in an optimal way. They will identify the energy that different types of tasks consume and different activities to rest and recover energy.
– Practical tips to navigate relationships at work. From understanding cultural differences to setting boundaries.
