Celebrate a century of entomological research and discovery with us on the 24th of April at Wageningen University’s Laboratory of Entomology. The ENTO 100 Years Symposium brings together former and current members of the lab to reflect on how our science has evolved — and where it is heading next. Through a series of talks, discussions, and short pitches by early-career researchers, we will explore key discoveries from the past hundred years and highlight current and future insect research in the context of sustainable agriculture, public health, climate change, and biodiversity. The symposium offers an inspiring perspective on how Wageningen’s entomological community continues to shape science and society.
In the morning of the symposium, there will be the opportunity to join us for a guided tour of the current lab and facilities, offering a behind-the-scenes look at where today’s research takes place. The symposium will also be streamed live, see below for details.
In the evening, current and former employees of the Laboratory of Entomology are warmly invited to a reunion dinner and celebration: an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and friends, share memories, and build new connections across generations of entomologists. The evening will feature enjoyable activities, including a pub quiz to test your entomological knowledge.
The symposium is free of charge. For the alumni reunion event, we ask for a contribution of €25. The registration deadline for both events is the 27th of March.
Practical information for the 24th of April
Guided tour: The guided tour will take place in the Radix building, from 10.30 – 11.30h.
Symposium: The symposium will take place in the Waaierzaal (C2005 + C2006) in the Orion building, from 12:30 to 18:00h.
Livestream: A livestream of the symposium will be available on wur.yuja.com. Clicking on the bell symbol in the top right hand corner of the website shows the currently running livestreams. From 13:00 on April 24th the symposium livestream will be listed there and can be opened by clicking on it. A recording will also become available on the same website after the symposium.
Reunion: The reunion will be held in The Spot (the café) in the Orion building, from 18:00 to 21:30.
General location description Orion: Orion is located on the WUR campus. The campus can be reached by bus from Ede/Wageningen station (lines 103 and 303). Free parking is available on campus; the closest parking area is P1 along the Droevendaalsesteeg (see here for more information).
Symposium programme
12.30 – 13.00 Welcome with coffee and tea
The past
13.00 – 13.15 Opening of the symposium
By our chairwoman of the day: Bregje Wertheim
13.15 – 13.45 Insectennial celebration: Wageningen city of insects
Marcel Dicke
13.45 – 14:15 A century of research and teaching: driven by curiosity, looking for applications
Joop van Loon
14.15 – 14.45 Coffee break with coffee/tea and cookies/cake
The present
14.45 – 16.00 Insects with impact: current insights
Erik Poelman, Eveline Verhulst, Karen Kloth, Alexander Haverkamp & Sander Koenraadt
16.00 – 16.30 Coffee break with soft drinks and borrelnootjes
The future!
16:30-17.20 Five duo pitches by PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers
To be determined: gene function and pathogen prevalence
Filippo Guerra & David Castaneda
Insects are not alone: microorganisms as friends and enemies
Kris de Kreek & Camila Fornaguera Carrero
(Un)usual perspectives in One Health
Sofia Maia Pinto & Carlijn Balvers
Tiny allies, big impact: natural enemies from ecology to application
Sarah Kalisvaart & Tham Nguyen
How entomological research can create healthier landscapes
Andi Nasruddin & Lieke Michielsen
Closing talk
17.30 – 18.00 The future of Entomology
Bregje Wertheim