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Staring KNGMG/NGMSO symposium

Dr. P.F. van Bergen

Title

Plant evolution and changes in biogeochemical cycles

Abstract

The evolution of animal life appears very often the main theme when one considers evolution on earth. However, it is plants sensu lato (i.e. photoautotrophic organisms including algae and cyanobacteria) that have had the most dramatic effect on our planet. Ever since the evolvement of oxygen-producing photosynthesis, whereby water and carbondioxide are transformed to organic carbon and free oxygen, our world became one dominated by this very 'aggressive' gas, oxygen, that brings most animal life its most essential ingredient to survive. In this presentation the evolution of 'plant' life from its beginning around <3000 Million years ago to the Recent will be discussed in relation to the changes this has caused in biogeochemical cycles.

Curriculum Vitae

Petrus Franciscus van Bergen

Geochemistry, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80021, 3508 TA Utrecht, Tel: 030-2535105, Fax: 030-2535302; E-mail: P.VANBERGEN@GEO.UU.NL

QUALIFICATIONS
1998-1999: "Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs", Earth Sciences, Utrecht University (25 November 1999)
1991-1994: Ph.D. Geology, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK (19 October 1994)
1986-1990: "Doctoraal" Biology, Utrecht University (27 August 1990)
1985-1986: "Propaedeuse" Biology, Utrecht University

TEACHING AND WORK EXPERIENCE
1997-Present: Lecturer in Organic Geochemistry, Earth Sciences, Utrecht University
1994-1997: Research Associate, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, UK
1991-1994: Research Assistant, Department of Geology, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
1990-1991: Consultant/Research scientist, LPP Foundation, Utrecht
1997-Present: Supervision of 2 Post-doctoral fellows, 5 Ph.D. students and 11 final year students
1994-1997: Supervision of 4 Ph.D. students, 2 M.Sc. students and 2 final year Honours Chemistry students
Courses taught: Environmental Organic Chemistry, Geochemical Cycles, Organic Petrology and Biogeochemical Cycles at Earth Sciences, University of Utrecht.
Invited contribution to Environmental Geochemistry MSc Course at Leeds University, UK.
Technical short courses.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND SERVICE
Committee member, Developing the Interfacultary study Biogeology, Utrecht University
Committee member, "Voorlichting Aardwetenschappen", Utrecht University
Committee member, DFG Special Priority Programme, Germany
Associate Editor of Ancient Biomolecules
Member of European Association of Organic Geochemists
Elected member Scientific Committee of 20th International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry (1999-2001)

AWARDS and FUNDING
Discretionary Pay Scheme Award for Excellent Research Performance, University of London, UK, 1993
Research grant for a 3-year post-doctoral position, ALW, NL, 1999
NWO-British Council Joint Scientific Research Programme grant to I. Poole and P.F. van Bergen, 1998
6 Grants to attend various International Scientific Conferences 1991 - 1997

PUBLICATIONS
52 peer-reviewed articles in international journals including Nature, Science, Geochem. Cosmochim. Acta, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom., Org. Geochemistry, New Phytol., J. Geol. Soc. London, Tetrahedron Lett., Acta Bot. Neerl., J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis, The Holocene, Antiquity, Phil. Trans, R. Soc. London B.
Editor of one Book and (co)author of 5 Book chapters.

PRESENTATIONS
Presenter of 41 oral- (including 2 keynote and 8 invited lectures) and (co)author of 71 oral and poster presentations at international scientific meetings