Else Praasterink has never been one to shy away from a challenge — whether it’s performing gravity-defying dives on the Olympic stage or tackling the complexities of biodiversity research.
Now, the Dutch Olympian and graduate student in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management is channeling her drive into a new arena: wildlife conservation.
From Eindhoven to the Olympic stage
Praasterink grew up in a small Dutch village before her family moved to Eindhoven to support her diving career. A member of the Dutch National Diving Team, she developed her skills over the years.
“My parents always said we moved for the family but later admitted it was for my diving,” Praasterink said with a laugh. “We all knew it at the time.”
Another move took her to the U.S. when she began her collegiate diving career at the University of Louisville, where she steadily progressed into an international standout. As a senior, she became the first Louisville Cardinal diver to qualify for the Olympics, earning her spot by placing 11th in the 10-meter platform event at the World Aquatics Championships last year.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she advanced to the finals and finished 12th — a meaningful connection to her new university’s 12th Man tradition.
“Being at the Olympics was surreal,” Praasterink said. “Walking into the Olympic Village, surrounded by so many incredible athletes, was something I’ll never forget.”
Landing in Aggieland
After the Olympics, Praasterink packed her bags for College Station, eager to begin her graduate studies. She was drawn to the rangeland, wildlife and fisheries management program, and credits the supportive faculty — specifically Ty Werdel, Ph.D., assistant professor, and Roel Lopez, Ph.D., department head and director of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute — for helping her transition.
“The people here are incredible,” she said. “Everyone’s passionate about wildlife, and the program combines classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork, which I love.”
Praasterink’s research focuses on biodiversity in both urban and rural areas, using camera traps to analyze species presence and behavior. She said the work is an exciting new challenge.
She continues to balance the rigorous demands of graduate studies with her commitment to diving. This March, she hopes to compete with the Texas A&M team in the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Washington, an event she has been steadily preparing for alongside her research and coursework.
“The team and coaches have been incredibly supportive,” she said. “Balancing both has been demanding but rewarding.”
Highlights from a semester of firsts
Reflecting on her first semester, Praasterink said the people she’s met have made all the difference.
“Southern hospitality is real,” she said. “Everyone is so friendly, and my dive team has been an absolute blast. It has made adjusting so much easier.”
Her coursework has been equally engaging. Praasterink highlighted her large mammal management class, where students learned wildlife-handling protocols and participated in exercises to collect data on white-tailed deer.
“It’s been fascinating to see how wildlife management differs from what I’ve seen in the Netherlands,” she said. “I’ve learned so much.”
A passion for conservation
Looking ahead, Praasterink is steadfast in her goal of contributing to global conservation efforts. Whether working in Europe or the U.S., she hopes to reverse biodiversity loss and protect endangered species.
“There are numerous threats facing the health and survival of global wildlife species,” she said. “I want to do everything I can to conserve nature and wildlife for future generations.”
For Praasterink, the leap from the pool deck to wildlife conservation has been a natural progression. Her Olympic determination, coupled with her passion for animals, is already making waves at Texas A&M.
“Diving brought me here, but conservation is what’s driving me now,” she said. “I’m excited to see where this takes me.”
