In the case of Corina Brussaard, this is the microbial ecology of coastal seas and oceans. Her research mainly focuses on the effect of viruses on the way in which these micro-organisms and thus the marine ecosystem function. The authorities and other interested parties in crucial fields of microbiology may make an appeal to the knowledge and insights of the AAM fellows for advice. The role and position of the AAM fellows is similar to those of the members of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) in the Netherlands.

Corina Brussaard is a senior scientist in the Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry Department of NIOZ and Professor of Viral Ecology at the University of Amsterdam (UvA).