Schoonhoven, South Holland, Netherlands
'Scientist in mind, artist in heart!' :) I am very passionate about nature and very curious about the biology, ecology and evolution of all animals! I think it is really amazing how nature made it/us all, she is such a great architect! I am most fascinated by how the animal is adapted to its environment and as a researcher I am eager to find out how the environment can affect the animals' metabolism and how this leads to disease. Especially the vitamin and mineral metabolism I find fascinating! It is so amazing how much differences there are between species. By comparing species including their anatomy, ecology and evolution I try to unravel commonalities in disease etiology and provide insight in different coping strategies. As a teacher I highlight the importance of ecology and evolution for a better understanding of the animals biology and its role in the animals ability to cope when under human care/pressure. I try to trigger peoples curiosity and engage them in the fascinating world of research, the importance and how fun it is to work together with other disciplines, to increase evidence based husbandry, nutrition, medicine and conservation. Bridging zoos to academia by involving zoos in education of students and conducting and supervising research (bachelor, master and doctoral thesis) in zoo housed animals, making connections to the wild and domesticated species. As an illustrator I can combine all my passions, explain my research, educate and above all inspire people in the beauty and complexity of worlds greatest architect and how fascinating all living creatures are! (my online portfolio see www.lsillustrations.com) With my comparative, interdisciplinary and creative approach I aim to contribute to conservation of endangered species and maintain the health and welfare of all animals, both in the wild and under human care. "Het is zo mooi hoe de natuur het allemaal bedacht heeft!"
Researcher at the Animal Nutrition section of the Population Health Science department of the Veterinary Faculty: research in Comparative Nutrition/Metabolism/Physiology and Zoo Animal (Clinical) Nutrition. 80/20 research/teaching Supervising bachelor, master and doctoral thesis.
Lecturer at the Anatomy and Physiology section of the Clinical Science department of the Veterinary Faculty. Acquired my basic teaching qualification, Article 13f2 and Article 9 certificate in 2025. Supervising bachelor and master thesis students. Involved in the following courses: Veterinary Medicine Bachelor: Circulation and Respiration (tutorials and practicals heart physiology), Digestion 1 (lectures and practicals on anatomy and embryology), Metabolism and Endocrinology (lectures and tutorial on HHE ax, created a board game for the students to get familiar with the HHE ax), From Tissue to Organism (tutorials and practicals on zoology), Locomotion (lectures and tutorials muscle physiology), Reproduction (practicals comparative anatomy male and female reproductive tract) and elective courses Herpetology (course coordinator 2025-2026, all subject lectures, tutorials and practicals), Fish (excursion assignment), Wild (assignment) and Evolution (tutorial, practical and excursion). Veterinary Medicine Master: elective courses Herpetology (course coordinator 2024-2025, anatomy and physiology lectures, tutorials, practicals and assignment), Surgery of Companion Animals 2 (practicals anatomy abdomen). Biomedical Sciences Bachelor: Organism (tutorial evolution, lectures, practicals and tutorials in embryology/zoology/comparative anatomy). Geography Bachelor: (Human) biology (lectures comparative anatomy and physiology circulation and respiration).
Together with a team of advisors, we collect data regarding morbidity and mortality of black rhino in Europe. With this data we try to improve the health and welfare of black rhino at all European zoos, in order to save this beautiful species from extinction.
Guest researcher of the Animal Nutrition Group. Research in Comparative Nutrition/Metabolism/Physiology and Zoo Animal (Clinical) Nutrition. Guest lectures in Principles of Animal Nutrition: Introduction in Zoo Animal Nutrition. Supervising students with their thesis and master students with their professional internship.
I love to make scientific drawings to give an insight in the anatomy and naturalistic drawings of animals on paper with pen, charcoal, pencil and aquarel. If you are interested in my work or want to contact me, please visit my website www.lsillustrations.com or click on the link below! I like to make illustrations for publications, books or other science or education related matters or expositions (zoo, natural history musea etc).
Since September 2023 I was off clinics to have time to write my PhD thesis on vitamin D and mineral metabolism in pachyderma (thank you Diergaarde Blijdorp!!). I have left the zoo since September 1st 2024 for more and new adventures in research, teaching and illustrations!
As a veterinarian I was taking care of the health of all our animals at the Zoo, mostly preventative but also curative. The first years I was also responsible for the nutrition of all animals. I was also responsible for disease surveillance at the zoo. I did not do this alone, but together with a great team of vets, analist, nutritionists, keepers and curators at the zoo. Together we all have our own expertise and knowledge to give the animals the best possible care they need for their health and welbeing. Besides taking care of the living animals, the department was also performing necropsies in order to collect information on the cause of death and collect samples for (further) research. The department also did a lot of research, not only at the zoo but in collaboration with a lot of different partners (ngo's, universities, universities of applied sciences and other zoos). In this way it was possible to collect more and important data to keep the animals healthy with a good as possible welfare, and conserve the species for the future. I was supervising both research students as well as practical interns, for instance during their master thesis or clinical rotations.