News
Prof. Dr Ir. Edith Feskens Appointed New Dean of Research
The Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research has appointed Prof. Dr Ir. Edith Feskens as Dean of Research for a four-year term, starting on 1 April. The position is a part-time appointment for 3 days per week. Edith Feskens is currently a Professor of Global Nutrition. The Dean reports to the Rector Magnificus, is responsible for the quality of the PhD and EngD programmes, and advises on research conducted within WUR. She succeeds Prof. Dr Ir. Wouter Hendriks, whose term ends on 1 April.
Rector Magnificus Carolien Kroeze explains why Feskens is the ideal candidate for this role: “Edith is a highly experienced professor who also has an in-depth understanding of the WUR organisation. In addition, she has excellent interpersonal skills and possesses the connecting personality that is essential for this position. I look forward to working with her in the coming years to strengthen the conditions for the outstanding research carried out within our organisation.”
“I decided to apply,” says Edith Feskens, “in part because I see opportunities to better align research and its quality within Wageningen University and Wageningen Research. This will help prevent internal competition and allow us to integrate fundamental and applied research more effectively. This is particularly important at a time when research funding in the Netherlands is under close scrutiny. I look forward to working with the Rector on research policy and implementation, as well as the training of excellent PhD candidates.”
CV
Edith Feskens obtained her MSc in Human Nutrition at Wageningen University in 1987. In 1991, she completed her PhD at Leiden University (Epidemiological studies on glucose tolerance – dietary determinants and cardiovascular consequences). Until 2005, she held various roles at RIVM, including Head of the Cardiovascular and Diabetes Epidemiology department. In 2005, she became an Associate Professor in the Nutrition Epidemiology chair group at Wageningen University, and in 2008, she was appointed Personal Professor of Nutrition and the Metabolic Syndrome. In 2015, she was appointed Professor of Nutrition and Health, followed by her appointment as Professor of Global Nutrition in 2018.