Dr Pieter van Genuchten

As a child, Pieter van Genuchten was already fascinated by nature and the world around him. The study programme Physical Geography proved to be his perfect match.

The first thing the alumnus learned at Utrecht University? “If the Antarctica ice sheet melts, sea level rises fifty-four meters worldwide. In other words; the theory of sustainability issues that we now face."

Before Van Genuchten ended up in Utrecht, he didn’t know which study to choose. His father advised him to go with chemistry, but the Faculty of Geosciences turned out to be the perfect place, with his fieldwork in France as icing on the cake. “I literally spent days in the mud, examining soil samples. Besides that, I didn’t speak any French, so I learned it on the spot.”

One of his many fieldwork experiences served as inspiration for his graduation ceremony. “During an evening I thought I recognized the rear lights of an Alfa Romeo. However, it turned out to be a Fiat 500. In response I asked: do they also produce the Fiat 500 with Alfa Romeo rear lights? That steadfastness is what typified me according to Dr. Theo van Asch, my graduation supervisor.”

Focus on sustainability and environment

Just like his study, Van Genuchten’s career also focused around sustainability and the environment. After graduating he worked, amongst other things, for the environmental consultancy firm Geofox, the Ministry of Defense and the former city region of Haaglanden. Currently Van Genuchten is a senior project manager at the municipality of The Hague, where he is responsible for making offices sustainable. Van Genuchten is also chairman of the Hofvijverkring. This group of alumni from Utrecht University in the Hague region makes financial contributions to excellent research. The Hofvijverkring is affiliated with the Utrecht University Fund.

Surprisingly, Van Genuchten’s spare time isn’t dedicated to nature, but to building and fixing things. "My girlfriend has the green thumb." For example, he built a guesthouse next to his house and a basement. Van Genuchten also has three daughters and recently became grandfather. That motivates him even more to make the world a better and healthier place.