Close-up: 'A story doesn't have to be pompous, but can be very simple'

Arend Schot has worked in the Department of Anatomy at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for over 47 years. Among other mthings, he is responsible for making anatomical preparations, ,so-called ‘plastinates’ and silicone models of dead animals. This work has made it possible to greatly reduce the number of laboratory animals at the faculty. At the Department of Anatomy, they already work completely laboratory animal-free. Arend also uses the models in his teaching and public activities. At UMU (University Museum Utrecht), there are several to look at and touch.

I love promoting my profession. I teach students, but I also educate at primary and secondary schools and told about my work to participants of Summerschool Junior in 2023. If you are well prepared, you can explain this story almost the same way to children as to students. It does not have to be pompous, but can be very simple. Using models, I can show what an animal looks like on the inside and how, for example, the stomachs of a cow work. I also think it is important to say that all the animals we process are donated. So they are not bred and killed specifically for this purpose, which is often thought.

Arend Schot laat een schapenpens zien aan deelnemers van Summerschool Junior die om een tafel staan.
Arend shows a sheep tripe to the participants of Summerschool Junior 2023 | Photo: Lize Kraan
Arend Schot pakt een model uit een kast. Hij heeft blauwe handschoenen aan.
Photo: Bas Niemans

Text: Eline Dondorp

Close-up

This article is also published in the fourth edition of the magazine Close-up, full of inspiring columns, background stories and experiences of researchers and support staff.

Go to Close-up #4