Dirk Vandenhirtz

Following a successful career as an international championship swimmer, Dirk studied Biology at RWTH Aachen University. Working together with Matthias Eberius, he pioneered techniques for measuring the development of duckweed samples using color digital photography, now known as plant phenotyping. This experience laid the foundations for Dirk’s future in the biotech industry. In 1998, Dirk and Matthias founded LemnaTec GmbH to develop complete research platforms on a commercial basis. Based in Aachen, Germany, LemnaTec is now the global market leader in plant phenotyping systems with customers all over the world including BASF, Bayer, and Syngenta. Dirk firmly believes that people are a company’s most important asset and he has created a flexible working environment to encourage a healthy life-work balance. By introducing ideas including home working, flexible hours, a company crèche, and even original artwork around the office, Dirk has been able to attract the very best people from their respective fields. Currently, one-third of the employees at LemnaTec are qualified to Ph.D. level or higher. By working in this way, Dirk has created a world-class company that continues to deliver state-of-the-art technology together with first-class service and support. LemnaTec has more experience, more expertise, and more customers than any other supplier in this sector, and in 2014, a second office was established in St Louis Missouri, USA. In 2012, Dirk launched Phenodays, the annual conference for scientists working in plant phenotyping and associated sciences. Now in its fifth year, Phenodays continues to expand with attendees from many countries across the world. Dirk likes to travel and enjoys visiting customer sites, interacting with scientists, and continually exploring new ideas. He is an authority on plant phenotyping and is frequently asked to speak at scientific conferences and meetings. Dirk lives in the historic city of Aachen, Germany, with his wife and two children.