Casper van der Kooi nominated for New Scientist Science Talent 2023!

Vote now for the New Scientist Science Talent 2023! 

Casper van der Kooi, Evolutionary Biologist at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, needs your votes to become New Scientist Science Talent of the Year this time! 

About Casper van der Kooi

In my research I study to understand how flowers and animals get their colours. I want to understand the mechanistic underpinnings of the beautiful flora and fauna around us, as well as how these colours evolve in the eyes of natural observers, such as pollinators or mates. I study this evolutionary question using techniques from biology (evolutionary theory, behavioural experiments) and physics (optics, anatomy).

I strive to make the world — and especially The Netherlands —a more biodiverse place, and colour is a beautiful way to visualise biodiversity. I use our scientific knowledge on ecology and evolution to advice policy makers and politicians, in the media, and write opinion pieces for newspapers. With my brother (an artist) I am currently working on a children’s book about plant evolution. This book is scheduled to appear mid 2024 with Lemniscaat Publishers.