dr.ir. Bob Walrave
Principal Investigator, RISE
Eindhoven University of Technology
Associate Professor of Innovation Systems and chair of the ITEM group at Eindhoven University of Technology. His research focuses on strategic decision-making and innovation in dynamically complex environments, with particular emphasis on understanding and improving innovation systems within and across public and private organizations.
dr. Rianne Valkenburg
Ecosystem Orchestrator, RISE
Eindhoven University of Technology
Fellow Design-driven Innovation of Technological Solutions in the ITEM group at Eindhoven University of Technology. Her main responsibility is to initiate and orchestrate strategic and cooperative partnerships for impactful research, in particular in the domain of Agri-Food. Her research focuses on innovation ecosystems, stakeholder participation, futuring, and new business models and cooperation practices.
prof.dr.ir. Peter van Bodegom
Co-applicant, RISE
Leiden University
Professor of Environmental Biology and Circular Horticultural Systems at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University. His research investigates biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, ecosystem services, plant–soil interactions and vegetation patterns, with a particular focus on how human and environmental change shape ecosystems. He combines ecological data and modelling to support sustainable land-use and horticultural transitions and to make biodiversity and natural capital actionable in decision-making.
prof.dr.ir. Gerben J. Messelink
Co-applicant, RISE
Wageningen University & Research
Special Professor of Biological Pest Control in Greenhouse Production Systems and senior research entomologist at Wageningen University & Research. His work focuses on biological and integrated pest management, functional biodiversity and the use of natural enemies in greenhouse horticulture. He develops ecologically based strategies that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and strengthen the resilience and sustainability of crop production systems.
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dr. Shahryar Ershad Sarabi
Co-applicant, RISE
Eindhoven University of Technology
Assistant Professor of Information Systems in the Built Environment at Eindhoven University of Technology. His research focuses on making nature visible and actionable in decision-making through information systems, digital experiences and spatial models. He develops tools that connect ecological data with planning and governance and support stakeholders in understanding the consequences of decisions for nature, green infrastructure and the built environment.
prof.dr.ir. Bige Tunçer
Co-applicant, RISE
Eindhoven University of Technology
Full Professor of Information Systems in the Built Environment at Eindhoven University of Technology. Her research investigates how spatial and design decisions shape social, environmental and economic outcomes. She develops AI-enabled, data-driven methodologies and decision-support systems that integrate spatial, environmental, sensor, participatory and human-centred data into actionable knowledge for design, planning and policymaking.
ir. Woody Maijers
Co-applicant, RISE
Inholland University of Applied Sciences
Professor of Integrated Food and Production Chains at Inholland University of Applied Sciences. His applied research focuses on value-chain interventions, chain and cluster development and innovation in agrifood systems. He works with companies and regional partnerships to strengthen value chains, improve their resilience to technological, market and societal change, and develop new forms of regional collaboration and innovation.
