The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is a multidisciplinary research institute with a systems biology approach to the life sciences. SILS’ research objective is to understand the functioning of living organisms, from the most basic aspects up to complex physiological functions. The institute has a workforce of about 240 staff members distributed over four research themes and four underpinning technologies.

Michel Haring has been Professor of Plant Physiology in SILS since 2000. Within the research theme Green Life Sciences, the Plant Physiology group focusses on plant stress responses, investigating the role of volatile signals in the interaction with other organisms. The research group strongly interacts with plant breeding industry, resulting in effective valorisation of research results. In 2019, Michel was appointed as distinguished research Professor at the Faculty of Science. Michel has further been involved in management of educational affairs both at Faculty, Graduate School and Programme level. Through his involvement in the Amsterdam Green Campus he links educational organisations, policymakers and businesses in various sustainability projects.