Niko is known as a keen science communicator and takes part in the public debate, on topics related to drought and climate change. Together with water managers and decision makers he explores the opportunities for seasonal forecasting and improved climate changes impact assessments of drought in the Netherlands and abroad. As part of his activities he brings together scientist and knowledge institutes to discuss ongoing drought research and stimulate a fast uptake of ongoing drought related research in society.
Currently, Niko has a position as associate professor hydrological extremes at the department of Physical Geography where he works on topics related to hydrological drought, flood forecasting, hyper-resolution modelling, satellite data assimilation and seasonal forecasting. He was awarded NWO-VENI, NWO-VIDI and ERC-StG grants to support his research focussed on drought and climate change. Niko has received awards for his contributions to science and the societal debate from key organizations like NWO, KNAW, European Geosiences Union and American Geophysical Union. He is also the current chair of the Expert Network on Drought and Freshwater (ENZD), that has a formal role in advising the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water and has been the mid-career board member for the Boussinesq centre for hydrology.
