My vision on education

I think it is important to clarify the relevance of education for future professional practice. Both the healthy situation and normal physiology and the sick and abnormal physiology must be highlighted. By giving concrete practical examples, necessary but possibly some dry subject matter will be better communicated to students and the students will also be excited to get to work actively with the subject matter themselves.

As a lecturer at the faculty of veterinary medicine it is important to find a connection and to gain insight into the study program and the subject of veterinary medicine. As a neurobiologist from the biomedical field, this is of particular importance to me. In the coming years I strive to make my education fit in better with the practice of the veteranarian. On the one hand, I will achieve this by clarifying the application of education for veterinary practice, among other things on the basis of neurological syndromes from veterinary practice - for this I will seek more contact with, for example, neurologists within the faculty.

Moreover, I am also conducting research in the field of concrete collaboration projects with colleagues within the faculty. Examples of this are (a) a study of pain perception in which I am already participating, (b) a study of chronic stress in wild life in which I am already participating and (c) plans for research into obesity in companion animals. From these studies I will also be better able to illustrate and explain the relevance of neurobiological research for veterinary practice. On the other hand, I will also try to gain more insight into the bigger picture of veterinary medicine training.

In addition, I always find it very important as a teacher / researcher to always include current (own) research in education. It is precisely by making connections between education and research that you provide the students with the state-of-the-art of your own field. This approach, in my opinion, contributes to the academic development and scientific education of the students and offers a deeper understanding of the curriculum and is a method of education through which you can stimulate and inspire students - provided the teacher is an inspired researcher like me. By participating more in veterinary research, through my research I can connect more with the interests and academic development of veterinary medicine students.

A third point that I find very important in my education is the creation of a stimulating and positive study climate. Personal contact, involving current research and practical examples, but also a combination of teaching forms is something that I always use in my teaching and that I also get back from the students. I am convinced that this contributes to active processing of the subject matter and that this contributes to a stimulating study climate.