Name: Ernst van den Ende
Function: Managing Director
Faculty: Plant Sciences Group
Employee since: 1992

The best thing about Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) is: “The enormous involvement of the people around me.”
 
“Until recently, I was business unit manager of Applied Plant Research (PPO) of Wageningen UR which plays the game between science and practice. PPO picks a scientific innovation and translates that to specific solutions for business life. Vice versa, PPO translates business’ need for knowledge to scientific research. Working together on innovative solutions is what I like to do.

Generating publicity
As business unit manager, you are responsible for the daily operations of your part of the organisation within Wageningen UR. PPO is momentarily carrying out a large research project as to the substance matter of narcissuses. We are researching whether one of the substances, galantamine, can be used in the medicines to combat the symptoms of Alzheimer disease. That is the great thing about this work: everything we do within Wageningen UR is socially relevant. It also generates regular publicity, such as our research of chestnut disease in large cities.

Internationally leading
Wageningen UR is a beautiful environment to work in. It concerns topics here that really matter, such as climate and food. If you enjoy switching between science and commerce, and to work together with many scientific disciplines, then you will feel right at home here. When I look around, I really enjoy watching the researchers give it their all in their area of expertise and how they have no problem working a few evenings in a row preparing a presentation. It is these people that cause Wageningen UR to be ahead internationally. It offers us great chances to share international knowledge and to retain assignments. This is another good reason to choose Wageningen UR, don’t you agree?”