This year, the program features one lecture presented by two speakers.
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Baroniezaal
Language: Dutch
Patrick de Jong – Behind the Scenes at Naturalis: How Pest Species Tell an Important Story
Onno Calf – ARISE & eDentity: DNA Technologies and the Future of Species Identification
What do pest species have to do with one of the world’s largest natural history collections? More than you might think.
During this lecture, visitors will enjoy a unique behind-the-scenes look at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. The central theme is the collection itself: more than 43 million objects, ranging from taxidermy specimens and insects to plants, fossils, and unique type specimens on which the description of new species is based. Protecting such a vast collection presents both unique challenges and surprising dilemmas.
Patrick de Jong, museologist, Collection Coordinator at Naturalis, and former quality inspector in the pest management sector, will guide visitors through remarkable collection objects, real-world case studies, and intriguing situations encountered in practice. When does an insect pose a direct threat to a collection object? And when do feeding traces become part of an object’s history—and therefore part of its scientific value?
The lecture continues with Onno Calf, biologist and project leader of the ARISE and eDentity projects, who will introduce visitors to the world of DNA research and modern species identification. He will demonstrate how these techniques are already being used to discover, identify, and monitor species. Through practical examples, visitors will learn how these developments contribute to biodiversity research and the opportunities they offer for the future of professional pest management.
This lecture offers a fascinating combination of remarkable collection objects, engaging real-world stories, unexpected dilemmas, and thought-provoking discussion, bringing together the worlds of pest management and science in a truly surprising way.
At the end of the lecture, there will be enough time for questions, comments, and ideas from the audience.