Richard Visser's Biography

Richard Visser, Professor/Head, Wageningen University & Research Centre

Professor Richard Visser studied biology at the State University of Groningen and obtained his MSc degree in Molecular Microbiology and Cell and Plant Genetics. After having obtained his PhD degree in plant genetics from the same university he moved to Wageningen to set up molecular biology, plant and cell genetics in plant breeding at Wageningen University. He became professor in Plant Breeding (personal chair) in 1998. Since 8 years he is in charge of the combined (University & DLO) unit of Plant Breeding from Wageningen University and Research Centre. His research interests are mainly focussed on Solanaceaous crops and particularly studies on combined stress resistance and enhanced quality. He is a board member of the Technological Top Institute Green Genetics, Vice-chairman and member of the Dutch Organisation for Plant Breeders Rights, Board member of EAPR & EUCARPIA and a Honorary Professor at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (since 2007).