Geerat Vermeij is one of the most respected evolutionary biologists in the world. Born in the Netherlands, he lost his sight at the age of three. Even without vision, he developed an early fascination with shells and natural history. While other scientists rely on sight to study fossils, Vermeij examines specimens through touch. His ability to detect tiny details—the thickness of a shell, the ridges on its surface, the shape of a groove—allowed him to compare species across time and geography in a way few others could.

How blindness hindered him:
Growing up, teachers and classmates underestimated his abilities. Some scientific tools, diagrams, and museum collections were inaccessible or designed only for sighted researchers. He often had to advocate for access and adapt equipment to work non-visually.

How blindness helped him:
Blindness sharpened his tactile sensitivity and forced him to think about evolution from a unique perspective. He noticed patterns and adaptations by touch that others overlooked visually, leading to breakthroughs in predator–prey evolution and marine biodiversity.

Why he matters:
Vermeij shows that science is stronger when different ways of experiencing the world are included.

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