Rody Blom

I am an ecologist with a background in entomology, mosquito ecology and citizen science. During my PhD at Wageningen University & Research, I studied the ecology of the common house mosquito, Culex pipiens, with a particular focus on overwintering, seasonal activity and host-feeding behaviour. My research combined field and laboratory studies with nationwide observations collected through the citizen science platform Muggenradar.

After my PhD, I worked on a joint postdoctoral project between WUR and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), studying mosquito population dynamics and comparing methods for monitoring Culex pipiens populations indoors and outdoors. Later, I worked as a lecturer/researcher at Inholland University of Applied Sciences, where I taught water quality and aquatic ecology and contributed to applied ecological research.

As a postdoctoral researcher at NIOO-KNAW, I now investigate the value of citizen science for ecological research and society. I evaluate citizen science projects across NIOO, including Bodemdierendagen and Water op de Kaart, by examining aspects such as project design, data quality, scientific use, participant involvement and societal impact. The aim is to identify shared strengths, challenges and opportunities and contribute to the development of a NIOO-wide vision on citizen science.