Experience
I have authored and coauthored more than 100 scientific publications, most of them related to plant photobiology. Designing, supervising and working in these many and varied experiments I have gained broad experience on avoiding and solving different problems. During my career I have regularly designed and built new equipment to make novel studies possible. Techniques for manipulation and measurement of illumination in effective ways have been one of my interests. I was the lead editor of a handbook of methods in photobiology. I have developed R software for various photobiology-related computations as well as software for spectral data acquisition. Earlier I have developed software for control and measuremt with a custom-built gas-exchange system, and well as simulation models. I have also experience in the customization, modernization, use and specification of requierements for growth chambers and growth rooms.
Consulting on light measurement
I do not own equipment for light measurements. However, I have long experience in their use. I can advice and provide training on the measurement of both natural and artificial light sources, in the UV, VIS and NIR wavelengths. This includes the calculation of the different summary quantities like PAR, photon ratios and Pfr:Ptot and the various inconsistent definitions in common use or their suitability for different applications. I am also familiar with many of the light measurement instruments used in agricultural meteorology as well as in controlled environments, both broadband and spectral.
Consulting on light manipulation
Mechanisms behind plant responses to illumination are complex. Treatments can easily have side effects that need special consideration when designing experiments to study plants’ responses to illumination. In addition when designig experiments it is necessary to be well informed about currently available light sources and light control approaches. Advances in electronics and LED technology are not only important for plant cultivation but can also create new possibilities for research. Even things that are well know in the electronics and photonics fields can remain out of reach of photobiologist, because of difficulties in communication or simply lack of time to explore new technologies. I can help with these problems as because of my experience I am able to communicate across disciplines.
Even if I am far from being an expert in illumination or electronics, I know enough to be able to effectively discuss requirements of biologists’ experiments in terms that an engineer can understand. I have succesfully played this role in research projects that involved both plant biology and electronic engineering and illumination.
Consulting on plant photobiology and plant ecophysiology
Design of experiemnts
I can help design experiments in these fields, both from a statistical perspective and the practicalities of planning. This is vast field, and depending on the case, I may be able to advice on even subtle details and warn about common pitfalls.
Instrumentation
I have long experience not only of buying standard equipment but also discussing unique customizations to standard equipment, having special custom equipment made, and even of designing and building control equipment for experiments. I am also likely to be able to help finding the most suitable and cost-effective instruments and equipment, suppliers and service providers. Not only because I have experience in their use but also because I have experience in reading technical specifications and discussing them with suppliers.