Research on the Interaction of flowers and pollinators

Caspar, how would you describe your work to a non-professional?

I am a group leader at the University of Groningen, where we study the interaction between flowers and pollinators. We particularly focus on the mechanistic and evolutionary aspects of flower colour, and how flower colour relates to colour vision of pollinators. We aim to understand how plant-pollinator signalling works, how it has evolved, and how we can use our knowledge to conserve biodiversity and (literally) make the world a more colourful place.

Which result of your science has fascinated you the most until now?

Using physics (optics) to study a longstanding evolutionary question is great fun. My team and I are forced to step out of our daily biological comfort zone to explore how the physics of light work in flowers and are processed by animal eyes. The diversity in processes and theory can be overwhelming sometimes, but also enlightens the wonders of nature.

You were funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – can you tell us how this funding supported your research?

The Humboldt project was one of the best phases of my career, because of the great time at the University of Würzburg and how laureates are being treated by the Humboldt Foundation. The application procedure was comparatively straightforward. I am especially grateful for the great deal of freedom that laureates get if their application is funded, the low-degree of bureaucracy involved and the adequate support from the Humboldt Office. Together this radiates a sense of trust towards the researchers that they have funded. I remember how a Humboldt Foundation official mentioned that their primary interest is funding high quality science, and that the only return “favour” they ask for is (a little) ambassadorship about the German academic system. With all the benefits that I described above, being an ambassador for the German academic system is the least I can do.