(1953) studied Plant Pathology (specialisations in bacteriology, virology and general microbiology) at Wageningen University, The Netherlands and holds a PhD in plant bacteriology (the use of fatty acids in the taxonomy of plant pathogenic Pseudomonas species). From 1986-2007 head of the Dept Bacteriology of the Dutch Plant Protection Service, specializing in (molecular) diagnostics and taxonomy of plant pathogenic bacteria and ... Read morethe biology of plant pathogenic bacteria, especially bacterial brown rot (Ralstonia solanacearum). Chair of the newly founded European Association of Phytobacteriologists. Advisor to the European Plant Protection Organisation, senior editor of the Journal of Plant Pathology, referee for various plant pathology journals and teaching phytobacteriology and microscopy all over the world and at a regular basis at CIHEAM Bari, Italy. Since 2007 senior advising bacteriologist at the Dutch National Inspection Service, Emmeloord Show Less