About
https://www.linkedin.com/in/geert-van-der-plas-67379569/
PhD-trained scientist with a background in paleoecology and a growing specialization in education and data analysis.
I bring a strong combination of scientific accuracy, analytical thinking, and communication skills, developed over several years as a PhD and post-doctoral researcher in multidisciplinary projects. My experience spans:
– Scientific research & publication
– Teaching university-level courses in paleoecology and statistics
– Teaching secondary education science classes (biology, chemistry, physics)
– Supervising Master’s students
– Presenting at international conferences
– Statistical and data analysis (R, Python, SQL)
Recently, I’ve been expanding beyond academia. I’ve completed courses in Python and SQL, taught science (biology, chemistry, and physics) in secondary school, and am currently pursuing a Master’s in Biology Education to transition into teaching.
I’m open to new opportunities in:
– Education (science teaching, curriculum development, museum education)
– Data analysis (environmental data, research support, science communication)
– Science/technical communication or project coordination
I’m a quick learner, a collaborative team member, and someone who thrives in roles that blend structure with creative problem-solving.
I’m based in Belgium, open to both local and remote opportunities, and happy to connect with professionals across sectors.
Thesis
van der Plas G. 2020. Climatic and anthropogenic drivers of landscape change in equatorial East Africa during the last two millennia. Universiteit Gent. Faculteit Wetenschappen. [PhD dissertation]
Recent publications
van der Plas, G.W., Rucina, S.M., Hemp, A., Marchant, R.A., Hooghiemstra, H., Schüler, L. and Verschuren, D., 2021. Climate-human-landscape interaction in the eastern foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro (equatorial East Africa) during the last two millennia. The Holocene, 31(4), pp.556–569.
van der Plas GW, De Cort G, Petek-Sargeant N, Wuytack T, Colombaroli D, Lane PJ. Verschuren D. 2019. Distinct phases of natural landscape dynamics and intensifying human activity in the central Kenya Rift Valley during the past 1300 years. Quaternary Science Reviews 218, 91-106.
Marchant R, Richer S, Capitani C, Courtney-Mustaphi C, Prendergast M, Stump D, Boles O, Lane P, Wynne-Jones S, Ferro Vázquez C, Wright D, Boivin N, Lang C, Kay A, Phelps L, Fuller D, Widgren M, Punwong P, Lejju J, Gaillard-Lemdahl M-J, Morrison KD, Kaplan J, Benard J, Crowther A, Cuní-Sanchez A, de Cort G, Deere N, Ekblom A, Farmer J, Finch J, Gillson L, Githumbi E, Kabora T, Kariuki R, Kinyanjui R, Kyazike E, Muiruri V, Mumbi C, Muthoni R, Muzuka A, Ndiema E, Nzaba C, Olago D, Onjala D, Pas Schrijver A, Petek N, Platts PJ, Rucina S, Shoemaker A, Thornton-Barnett S, van der Plas G, Watson L, Williamson D. 2018. Drivers and trajectories of land cover change in East Africa: human and environmental interactions from 6000 years ago to present. Earth-Science Reviews 178: 322-378
Liz Storer, Anna Shoemaker, Annemiek Pas Schrijver, Geert W. van der Plas, Colin J. Courtney Mustaphi (eds.). 2017. Field diary. Issue 2 Mar 2017. 45pp.
Colombaroli, Daniele, Geert van der Plas, Stephen Rucina and Dirk Verschuren (2016). Determinants of savanna-fire dynamics in eastern Lake Victoria catchment (western Kenya) during the last 1200 years, Quaternary International, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2016.06.028
van der Plas, G., Githumbi, E.N., Courtney Mustaphi, C.J. 2016. Life of a pollen grain. In: Land and People. Volume 1, January 2016. pp 24-25. Printed at: Tiskarna Radovljica, Slovenia. ISBN: 978-0-9573771-5-8 [Link to full issue] DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2296.3609
Annemiek Pas Schrijver, Geert W. van der Plas, Colin J. Courtney Mustaphi (eds.). 2015. Field diary. Issue 1 Jul 2015. 17pp. [PDF]
Courtney Mustaphi, CJ; Githumbi, E; Shoemaker, A; Degefa, AZ; Petek, N; van der Plas, GW; Muriuki, RM; Rucina, SM; Marchant, R. 2014. Ongoing sedimentological and palaeoecological investigations at Lielerai Kimana and Ormakau Swamps, Kajiado District, Kenya. A report to the local authorities of Kimana and Namelok, Olive Branch Mission Africa Operations, and the National Museums of Kenya Palaeobotany and Palynology Section. REAL contribution 001. 29 April, 2014. 32 p.
[PDF] [Hardcopy available at the IFRA library, Kileleshwa, Nairobi, Kenya]
Van Der Plas, G.W., De Boer, E.J., Hooghiemstra, H., Vincent Florens, F.B., Baider, C. and Van Der Plicht, J., 2012. Mauritius since the last glacial: environmental and climatic reconstruction of the last 38 000 years from Kanaka Crater. Journal of Quaternary Science, 27(2), pp.159-168.