Meet Willem Stock from Ghent University

Join us in welcoming our newest REWRITER, Willem Stock!

Willem is a microbial ecologist currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University. His research focuses on how interactions between microorganisms shape the functioning of ecosystems. In his earlier work, he also investigated the relationships between algae and bacteria, exploring how these interactions are formed and how they influence both the algal host and the bacteria.

Within REWRITE, Willem is contributing to the environmental DNA (eDNA)-based characterisation of microbial communities in mudflats and, to a lesser extent, salt marshes. These dynamic coastal systems host diverse and complex microbial networks that play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, sediment stability, and ecosystem resilience.

I hope that we can identify key microbial players whose presence or activity could enhance the productivity and ecological value of restored coastal habitats.

Ultimately, I hope this work will not only improve restoration outcomes but also deepen our understanding of microbial ecology in challenging, shifting environments.