Johanna Westerdijk: The Trailblazing Fungi Queen of Science

Johanna Westerdijk (1883–1961) was the Netherlands’ first female professor and force of nature. With a love for fungi, a talent for music, and a wicked sense of humor, she turned science into an art form.

A Woman Ahead of Her Time

In 1917, Westerdijk stormed into Utrecht University as a professor of plant pathology. Women in science? Rare. Women thriving in science? Even rarer. Her motto? ‘A day without laughter is a day wasted.’ She proved that groundbreaking research and a good laugh could go hand in hand.

Fungi Fascination

Westerdijk had a passion for fungi – especially the kind that wreaked havoc. She tackled Dutch elm disease head-on, unraveling the secrets of its fungal culprit. Under her leadership, the CBS Fungal Biodiversity Centre became a global hub, housing the world’s largest collection of living fungi.

A Lab Full of Life

The Westerdijk lab wasn’t just a place for science – it was a stage for life. She mentored over 50 PhD students, many of them women, and threw parties as passionately as she pursued research. Her home buzzed with music, her fingers dancing across the piano keys between experiments.

Legacy of a Fungi Pioneer

Westerdijk opens doors for women in academia by kicking them down with flair. Her work in plant pathology and mycology is still important today. A scientist, a mentor, and a lover of life, she left the world smarter, bolder, and infinitely more fun.

Quote Johanna Westerdijk

‘Werken en feesten vormt schoone geesten.’
‘Working and partying builds beautiful minds.’