About Koen Pelsma

Microscopic life forms the basis for the natural world. Understanding how microorganisms run the elemental cycles of carbon and nitrogen is paramount for combatting the effects of climate warming. Koen Pelsma works to unravel this invisible world and to show how it affects both the built and natural environment.

Koen graduated from TU Delft with a degree in Biotechnology and specialised in the microbial ecology of urban canal greenhouse gas emissions during his PhD at Radboud University. At Deltares, Koen’s projects range from CO2-sequestration in natural systems and nature-based solutions to microbial populations that can improve subsurface and water quality.

“The combination of field studies and laboratory experiments gives us an exciting opportunity to cover all aspects, from the kilometres to the nanometres. To not only understand one small bacteria, but to see how populations change over time and how that affects water everywhere.”

Besides projects Koen is involved in Young Deltares, an association for early-career employees. He’s also interested in communicating why microbiology is so important and how it can range from methane bubbles coming out of the canals to debilitating diseases.