Photo Berber Hania There is an unwritten rule that WUR directors move on after two terms of four years, but Van den Ende has been in his job for nearly 12 years. ‘I was already in injury time,’ he laughs, ‘but I love working at WUR.’
‘Over the past few years I have regularly been approached for jobs elsewhere but I feel most at home in a science institute serving the public interest. That is why I applied for the job at the Animal Sciences Group.’
He says it is ‘really great’ to be able to work ‘for the science group that is under most pressure from society at large. Animal production is crucial in feeding the world and it plays a key role in the circular economy but it is under immense pressure because of the impact on the environment and climate. I want to help make the transition to sustainable food systems in which we connect plants and animals in the right way.’
Ambassador
Getting to know everyone is at the top of his to-do list. ‘I want to be the ambassador for the group and bring people together, so I need to know what everyone is up to. I also hope to make new connections so that researchers from different groups collaborate more often, both within and beyond ASG.’
It is not yet known who will succeed Van den Ende at the Plant Sciences Group.
