Brenda is an estuarine ecologist with more than 10 years of research experience in the Dutch Delta. After studying Soil, Water and Atmosphere in Wageningen, she obtained her PhD at Wageningen University on the role of oyster reefs in the conservation of intertidal areas. She then worked as a Postdoc at NIOZ within the EMERGO (Eco-morphological functioning and management of tidal flats) project. Since 2017 Brenda works as ecologist at Wageningen Marine Research in Yerseke. Brenda is a driven researcher who is familiar with field monitoring and has excellent analytical skills. Her focus is on the effects of mitigation measures on the ecological (benthos and birds) and morphological development of intertidal areas in the Dutch Delta. In the Oosterschelde she is involved in the monitoring of sand nourishments (Oesterdam and Roggenplaat), a mud nourishment (NatuurImpuls), tide recovery (Rammegors), and constructed oyster reefs (Slikken van Viane, De Val, Oesterdam and Grevelingenmeer). In the Westerschelde she investigates the ecological restoration after the construction of groins (Baalhoek, Knuitershoek, Bath), a saltmarsh renewal (Zuidgors) and a management realignment (Perkpolder). Brenda also investigates how climate change leads to temperature changes within the intertidal and what this means for the benthic community through field and lab experiments.
Brenda has built an extensive network in the Dutch Delta over time and is aware of the developments. She also has a large international network and is involved in the EU project FutureMares.