51 Notable alumni of Wageningen University
Updated: June 23, 2026 EliteDegrees
Wageningen University is ranked #206 in the world and #8 in Netherlands by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 51 notable alumni from Wageningen University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Wageningen University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Dick de Zeeuw
1924-2009 (aged 85)
university teacher
politician
Dick de Zeeuw was a Dutch politician and agronomist.
2. Piet de Jong
1938-. (aged 88)
botanist
dendrologist
Petrus Cornelis de Jong (born 24 March 1938 in Hazerswoude) is a Dutch dendrologist.
3. Sim Visser
1908-1983 (aged 75)
engineer
politician
Simon Hendrik "Sim" Visser was a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
4. Danny Tuijnman
1915-1992 (aged 77)
politician
Daniël Sebastiaan "Dany" Tuijnman was a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).
5. Natasja Oerlemans
1969-. (aged 57)
politician
Natasja Oerlemans is head of Food & Agriculture at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Netherlands. She was a prominent member of the Party for the Animals.
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6. Hans M. Heybroek
1927-2022 (aged 95)
geneticist
botanist
Hans M. Heybroek was a Dutch botanist best known for his research into the genus Ulmus at the Dorschkamp Research Institute for Forestry & Landscape Planning. Until his retirement in 1992, he was responsible for the raising and release of numerous elm hybrid cultivars, notably 'Columella'. Specializing in phytopathology, Heybroek also investigated the Coral Spot fungus Nectria cinnabarina in elm....
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7. Willem van Schaik
1975-. (aged 51)
microbiologist
researcher
Willem van Schaik is a Dutch microbiologist. He is professor of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham.
8. Dirk Bezemer
1971-. (aged 55)
university teacher
economist
Dirk Bezemer is a Dutch economist who is a professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. He studied at Wageningen University (M.Sc. in Economics (1995)) and University of Amsterdam & Tinbergen Institute (Ph.D. in Economics (2001)). His topics of expertise include the financial sector, credit creation, credit cycles, monetary policy, and the cause of economic...
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9. Anne-Wil Lucas
1975-. (aged 51)
engineer
politician
Antoinette Wilhelmina Lucas-Smeerdijk (born 10 January 1975) is a Dutch politician. As a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy she was a member of the House of Representatives from 17 June 2010 to 7 September 2016. She was replaced by Daniël van der Ree. Lucas focused on matters of higher education, science and the flood control in...
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10. Addeke Hendrik Boerma
1912-1992 (aged 80)
economist
Addeke Hendrik Boerma was a Dutch civil servant who served as the first executive director of the World Food Programme from 1962 to 1967 and as the director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization from 1967 until December 1975.
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11. Anne van den Ban
1928-2016 (aged 88)
university teacher
economist
Anne Willem van den Ban was a Dutch scholar, whose work focused on agricultural extension.
12. Kees Staf
1905-1973 (aged 68)
economist
civil engineer
politician
Cornelis "Kees" Staf was a Dutch politician of the defunct Christian Historical Union (CHU) party now merged into the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and businessman.
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13. Jan Mulder
1943-. (aged 83)
politician
Jan Mulder is a Dutch politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1994 until 2004 and from 2010 until 2014. He is a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), a member party of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
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14. Willem de Vos
1954-. (aged 72)
university teacher
teacher
writer
professor
microbiologist
Willem M. de Vos is a Dutch academic and microbiologist. He studied for his PhD at the University of Groningen. He is notable for winning the Spinozapremie in 2008. De Vos is currently serving as an Academy Professor for the Academy of Finland.
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15. Pierre Lardinois
1924-1987 (aged 63)
economist
banker
farmer
politician
Pierre Joseph Lardinois was a Dutch politician and diplomat of the Catholic People's Party (KVP) and agronomist.
16. Wilber Otichilo
1952-. (aged 74)
politician
Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo is a Kenyan politician, and the current Governor of Vihiga County having trounced Hon Rev. Moses E. Akaranga of Progressive Party of Kenya ( PPK) in the 9/8/2017 General elections. He was elected Member of Parliament for Emuhaya Constituency in 2008, under Orange Democratic Party (ODM). He hails from Emanyinya village, Emusire, in Central Bunyore. On March...
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17. Marijke Vos
1957-. (aged 69)
biologist
politician
Maria Bernardina Vos (born 4 May 1957 in Leidschendam) is a Dutch politician.
18. Jan Luiten van Zanden
1955-. (aged 71)
economist
economic historian
professor
university teacher
Jan Luiten van Zanden is a Dutch economic historian and professor of Global Economic History at Utrecht University. He is a widely acknowledged specialist in Dutch, European and Global Economic History.
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19. Mark van Loosdrecht
1959-. (aged 67)
microbiologist
university teacher
Mark van Loosdrecht is a Dutch professor in environmental biotechnology at Delft University of Technology. He was the creator of Nereda, a wastewater treatment technology developed by a cooperation between the Delft University of Technology, the Dutch Foundation for Applied Water Research (STOWA) and Royal HaskoningDHV.
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20. Jan Just Bos
1939-2003 (aged 64)
botanical collector
television presenter
presenter
coxswain
botanist
Jan Justus "Jan-Just" Bos was a Dutch botanist, television presenter, and rower who competed in the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics.
21. Michel Wedel
1958-. (aged 68)
kickboxer
economist
university teacher
karateka
Michel Wedel is the PepsiCo Chaired Professor of Consumer Science in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, and a Distinguished University Professor, at the University of Maryland, College Park. He works on the development of statistical and econometric methods to analyze and predict consumer behavior, in addition to market segmentation and eye tracking research.
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22. Folkert Posthuma
1874-1943 (aged 69)
politician
writer
poster artist
Folkert Evert Posthuma was a Dutch politician.
23. Sanne van Paassen
1988-. (aged 38)
cyclo-cross cyclist
sport cyclist
Sanne van Paassen is a Dutch former professional cyclo-cross racing cyclist. In 2011, she won the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, after winning the Cyklokros Plzeň. She won several silver and bronze medals at the national and European cyclo-cross championships. She won 19 cyclo-cross races in her career.
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24. Tjapko Poppens
1970-. (aged 56)
politician
T.R. "Tjapko" Poppens is a Dutch politician serving as mayor of Amstelveen since 2019. A member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), he previously served as mayor of Wijk bij Duurstede from 2012 until 2019.
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25. Joan Leemhuis-Stout
1946-. (aged 80)
politician
Joan Marika Leemhuis-Stout is a Dutch politician and former civil servant. She is a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie).
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26. Eppo Doeve
1907-1981 (aged 74)
watercolorist
muralist
architect
cartoonist
painter
Joseph Ferdinand Doeve, better known as Eppo Doeve, was a popular Dutch painter and cartoonist of Indo descent. He was born in Bandung, Indonesia and moved to the Netherlands in 1927. He was invested as a Knight of the Order of Orange Nassau in 1973.
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27. Simon Vroemen
1969-. (aged 57)
long-distance runner
athletics competitor
Simon Frans Vroemen is a Dutch runner, specialising in the steeplechase.
28. Eric Smaling
1957-. (aged 69)
writer
doctoral advisor
university teacher
politician
Eric Marc Alexander Smaling is a Dutch politician and agronomist. As a member of the Socialist Party (Socialistische Partij) he was an MP between 14 May 2013 and 23 March 2017. He replaced Manja Smits, initially temporarily, and definitively from 15 April 2014). From 2007 to 2013, he was a Senator; he was replaced by Arda Gerkens.
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29. René Leegte
1968-. (aged 58)
engineer
politician
René Willums Leegte is a Dutch politician and former businessman. As a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy he was a member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands between 26 October 2010 and 24 March 2015. He focused on matters of natural environment, sustainable development and energy.
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30. Kim van Sparrentak
1989-. (aged 37)
politician
Kim van Sparrentak is a Dutch politician who has been serving as a Member of the European Parliament for the GroenLinks political party since 2019.
31. Jan Huitema
1984-. (aged 42)
farmer
politician
Jan Huitema is a Dutch politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2014 to 2024. He is a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), part of Renew Europe in the European Parliament, until 2019 the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
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32. Remco Bosma
1971-. (aged 55)
politician
Remco Paul George Bosma is a Dutch politician. He has been Mayor of Bladel since 16 January 2019. Previously Bosma was a member of the House of Representatives for the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy between 1 March 2016 and 23 March 2017. He served in the States of Flevoland between 15 March 2007 and 1 March 2016.
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33. Bert-Jan Ruissen
1972-. (aged 54)
historian
politician
journalist
Bert-Jan Ruissen is a Dutch politician and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Netherlands. He is a member of the Reformed Political Party (SGP), part of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).
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34. Ruud Kleinpaste
1952-. (aged 74)
entomologist
Rudolf Hendrik Kleinpaste MNZM, generally known as Ruud Kleinpaste, is a Dutch-New Zealand naturalist and host of the Animal Planet series Buggin' with Ruud. Born in Djakarta, Indonesia, Kleinpaste was educated in The Netherlands, and then studied plant sciences at Wageningen University, eventually earning a degree in silviculture. At the age of 20, he became interested in entomology.
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35. Ramsewak Shankar
1937-. (aged 89)
politician
Ramsewak Shankar is a Surinamese politician who was the 4th President of Suriname, serving from 1988 to 1990. His government was overthrown by Dési Bouterse leading a bloodless military coup. Shankar had previously served as Agriculture & Fisheries Minister from 1969 to 1971.
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36. Emma Oosterwegel
1998-. (aged 28)
athletics competitor
Emma Oosterwegel is a Dutch track and field athlete competing in the combined events. She won the bronze medal in the heptathlon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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37. Willie Smits
1957-. (aged 69)
environmentalist
animal rights advocate
microbiologist
forestry scientist
Willie Smits is a trained forester, microbiologist, conservationist, animal welfare activist, wilderness engineer and social entrepreneur. He has lived in Indonesia since 1985 and is an Indonesian citizen. He is married to Adrienne C. Watson since March 2016.
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38. Gerrit Braks
1933-2017 (aged 84)
politician
civil engineer
Gerardus Johannes Maria "Gerrit" Braks was a Dutch politician of the defunct Catholic People's Party (KVP) and later the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and agronomist.
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39. Anne Vondeling
1916-1979 (aged 63)
economist
engineer
university teacher
politician
Anne Vondeling was a Dutch politician of the Labour Party (PvdA) and agronomist.
40. Frank Westerman
1964-. (aged 62)
foreign correspondent
writer
journalist
Frank Martin Westerman is a Dutch writer and a former journalist. He studied tropical agricultural engineering at Wageningen University and worked as a news correspondent for de Volkskrant in Belgrade and NRC Handelsblad in Moscow. He is currently a full-time writer of non-fiction books, among which are The Republic of Grain (1999), Engineers of the Soul (2002), and Ararat (2007).
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41. Henk Vredeling
1924-2007 (aged 83)
politician
resistance fighter
Hendrikus "Henk" Vredeling was a Dutch politician of the Labour Party (PvdA).
42. Louise O. Fresco
1952-. (aged 74)
university teacher
columnist
writer
engineer
literary critic
Louise Ottilie Fresco is a Dutch scientist and writer known for her work on globally sustainable food production.
43. Femke Bol
2000-. (aged 26)
athletics competitor
Femke Bol is a Dutch track and field athlete who competes in sprinting, middle-distance running, and hurdling. Up to 2025, she specialized in the 400 metres hurdles, where she is the 2023 and 2025 World Champion, and in the 400 metres, where she is the 2024 World Indoor Champion and the short track world record holder. Since 2026, she specializes...
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44. Jeroen Dijsselbloem
1966-. (aged 60)
economist
engineer
columnist
politician
Jeroen René Victor Anton Dijsselbloem is a Dutch politician and economist serving as Mayor of Eindhoven since 13 September 2022, succeeding John Jorritsma (VVD). A member of the Labour Party (PvdA), he has also been Chairman of the supervisory board of Wageningen University since 1 April 2019.
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45. Gerrit Hiemstra
1961-. (aged 65)
climatologist
weather presenter
Gerrit Hiemstra is a Dutch meteorologist and weather presenter. From 1998 until 2023 he was one of the weather presenters for the Dutch public news broadcaster NOS Journaal.
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46. Qu Dongyu
1963-. (aged 63)
biologist
politician
Qu Dongyu is a Chinese diplomat who took up office as the ninth Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on 1 August 2019. He is the first Chinese national to head the Organization. Qu won the nomination on the first round of voting at the 41st FAO Conference on 23 June 2019, obtaining 108...
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47. Joris Voorhoeve
1945-. (aged 81)
diplomat
political scientist
university teacher
politician
Joris Jacob Clemens Voorhoeve is a retired Dutch politician, diplomat of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and political scientist.
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48. Helga van Leur
1970-. (aged 56)
weather presenter
television presenter
Helga van Leur is a Dutch meteorologist and weather presenter. Born in Schoonhoven, she is best known for presenting the weather predictions during the news broadcast at RTL 4.
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49. Cees Veerman
1949-. (aged 77)
politician
Cornelis Pieter "Cees" Veerman is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party and economist.
50. Maarten Hijink
1983-. (aged 43)
spokesperson
agricultural economist
politician
Hendrik Pieter Maarten Hijink is a Dutch politician who served as a Socialist Party member of the House of Representatives from 23 March 2017 until 20 April 2023.
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51. Wim Crusio
1954-. (aged 72)
botanist
biologist
neuroscientist
geneticist
zoologist
Wim E. Crusio is a Dutch behavioral neurogeneticist and a directeur de recherche (research director) with the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Talence, France.
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