Johanna Westerdijk

Johanna Westerdijk (bron: Collectie Universiteitsmuseum)

On 10 February 1917, Johanna Westerdijk held her inaugural address at Utrecht University as the first female professor in the Netherlands. She was a Professor of Phytopathology (Plant Pathology) as well as the Director of the CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre (currently known as the Westerdijk Institute). Her research is still topical after over 100 years.

Video about Johanna Westerdijk (in Dutch)

  • Profile Johanna Westerdijk

    Johanna Westerdijk -Hans to her contemporaries- lives on in memory as an extraordinary woman. Not only because she became a Professor by Special Appointment of Plant Pathology twice.

  • Scientific research

    Johanna Westerdijk was the founder of research into plant diseases and fungi at Utrecht University. This research is still topical after over 100 years.

  • Future Food

    Johanna Westerdijk's research is continued in the Future Food Hub, in which academics collaborate with external partners on the transition of the food chain for a sustainable world.

Oratie Johanna Westerdijk
Inaugural lecture Johanna Westerdijk