Prof. dr. Michiel Oostenbrink 1972 - 1979

In 1956 Dr. Michiel Oostenbrink was the first (part-time) Reader in Nematology to be appointed by the Crown at Wageningen University's Department of Plant Pathology. In this capacity and through his (main) position as Head of the Nematology Section at the Plant Protection Service Dr. Oostenbrink played an important role in the development of Nematological research and education in Wageningen. Eventually his efforts led to the establishment of the Department of Nematology in 1972. In 1978, one year before his untimely death, Oostenbrink's readership changed into a professorate.

The history

The Institute of Plant Pathology of Wageningen Agricultural College (‘Landbouwhogeschool’) was founded in 1918, the same year in which Academic Education in Wageningen begun. Its first director was prof.dr. H.M. Quanjer, chair holder in Plant Pathology from 1918 to 1949. In the beginning his field of study comprised the entire range of sub disciplines: Entomology, Virology, Nematology, Bacteriology and Mycology.

Over the years more and more of these sub disciplines were granted an own chair and laboratory. In 1922 prof.dr. W.K.J. Roepke was appointed as professor of Entomology (chair in the animal aspects of plant pathology). Three years later, in 1925 prof.dr. E. van Slogteren took up the study of diseases in flower bulb crops (endowed chair in the special aspects of plant pathology) and founded the Laboratory of Flower Bulb Research in Lisse (the present PPO Lisse). After World War II it was Virology’s turn. In 1950 prof.dr.ir. T.H. Thung was appointed as professor of Virology.  Under Quanjer’s successor prof.dr. A.J.P. Oort a readership ('lectoraat') in Nematology was established in 1956.