Nature and Environment
If we are to deal with our living environment in a sustainable way, we require a wide knowledge of the processes that take place in nature and the environment. Besides ongoing theoretical research, the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University has launched a number of research projects that are useful for direct application. These include:
- Ecology
- Toxins
- Climate change
- Food cultivation
Ecology
The field of ecology studies the interaction of organisms with each other, and with their environment. At Utrecht University, our research teams are particularly interested in the use of land, biodiversity, nature management, spatial models, water management, competition between plants, CO2, nitrogen and phosphorous cycles in the landscape, and sustainable management of tropical forests.
If you have research questions or problems relating to any of these topics, please contact the Science Transfer Office.
Toxins
Utrecht University has a dedicated research institute, the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) for determining the risk of toxins. Researchers here carry out epidemiological and toxicological research. Their work covers areas such as allergies, ultrafine dust, neural and hormonal toxicology, the impact of drugs on the environment, and the leaching of toxins from sediments.
If you have research questions or problems relating to any of these topics, please contact the Science Transfer Office.
Climate change
Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges we will be facing over the next few decades. Researchers at Utrecht University are looking at this problem from various angles (e.g., paleoecological, ecological, physical and atmospheric).
If you have research questions or problems relating to any of these topics, please contact the Science Transfer Office.
Food cultivation
Dutch agriculture is an innovative sector that has long pioneered the development of new products and new methods of production. The Faculty of Science has expertise in several closely related areas, including disease resistance in plants, alternative methods of producing functional ingredients (e.g., fructans for foodstuffs), research into innovative mushroom production and crop optimisation.
If you have research questions or problems relating to any of these topics, please contact the Science Transfer Office.