ABOUT ME

I'm a Belgian mycologist currently employed as PhD student at Ghent University, Dept. Biology, RG Mycology. While doing my PhD I'm working as a teaching assistant, giving practical lessons in botany and mycology.

Ever since I was little, nature fascinated me. The beauty of plants and animals, what they do and how they behave. I always wanted to know more about them. My interest in science was my main motivation to study Science Mathematics in secondary school. My interest in nature was the convincing factor for studying biology.

In my second Bachelor year I got interested in mushrooms. Mushrooms and Fungi in general are the most wonderful organisms of our planet. They are mysterious and misunderstood, but... so beautiful and useful! Getting to know the enormous diversity of fungi, their ecology and the taxonomy is my biggest passion.

Besides my admiration for fungi, a have a more general interest in ecology. Knowing how ecosystems and communities are build up, how all organisms interact with each other, is fascinating. Some topics in ecology that I find especially interesting are: behavioural ecology, urbanization, ecosystem services, dispersal biology and of course all the ecology about mycorrhiza’s.

In my Master I chose to follow the major: Global Change Ecology, minor: Research and specialised myself in Mycology. During my education I developed a good basis of general biology, ecology, programming, specialised statistics and science communication.

Working as a teaching assistant developed my interest in education substantially. Sharing my knowledge and experience, preparing and guiding future generations, became a part of who I am.

I hope you enjoy my website,

Ruben