Dr Maarten van Helden

Biography

Maarten van Helden had been working with SARDI since 2016. Trained at Wageningen University the Netherlands he worked in Europe (France and the Netherlands) as a university lecturer and associate professor. He acquired extensive experience in scientific research focussing on applied agricultural research through regional, national and European research projects focussing on Integrated Pest Management, Agro-ecology and ecosystem services in multiple cropping systems (grains, horticulture, viticulture) in Europe, China and Australia.

More recently he is in charge of developing a pilot project for the Sterile Insect Technology against Australian Sheep blowfly (Lucilia cuprina). His expertise is essential to developing meaningful collaborative projects allowing the Australian agricultural industries to advance towards triple bottom line sustainable production systems while ensuring social licence. His collaboration with regional, national, and international research institutes provides the optimal environment to ensure scientific progress.

Communication with industry stakeholders is an essential part of his work, to transfer knowledge and understanding, including training of farmers and agronomist and the Pestfacts SA newsletter, providing new decision-making tools and receive feedback on the agricultural industry’s needs.

Research interests

• Integrated pest management
• Integrated production systems
• Agro-ecology and ecosystem services
• Sterile insect technique

Qualifications

PhD Plant Protection Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands

Professional affiliations

Member, Applied Biosciences Macquarie University.