Niek Christen

Hi, my name is Niek Christen, and I’m an independent researcher with a passion for evolutionary biology, ecosystems, and experimental science. For years, I’ve been fascinated by prehistoric Earth—specifically, how insects used to grow to enormous sizes during the Paleozoic era. Fossils show that dragonflies once had wingspans of up to 70 cm, and millipedes could grow over 2 meters long. Scientists believe this was largely due to the Earth’s oxygen levels at the time, which were around 35%, much higher than today’s 21%. My project, Gigantio Genesis, is an attempt to test this hypothesis in a real-world setting. While past lab studies have looked at short-term effects of high oxygen on insects, no one has attempted a long-term, self-sustaining ecosystem experiment like this. My goal is to see if modern insects can grow larger under similar conditions, allowing us to study evolution and adaptation in real time. I may not have a formal degree in biology, but science is about experimentation and discovery, not just titles. I’ve spent years researching atmospheric conditions, insect physiology, and closed ecosystem design to prepare for this project. I believe that with the right environment, we can observe changes that no one else has ever documented. This is a passion project, but it’s also a serious scientific experiment—one that could teach us more about prehistoric life and how organisms adapt to environmental shifts. I’m incredibly excited to bring this vision to life and share the results with the world. Thank you for supporting Gigantio Genesis—together, we’re taking the first step toward understanding the lost giants of Earth’s past

Linkedin:

www.linkedin.com/in/niek-christen-575375239

March 2025