Find Academic Supervisors

• Combinatorics
• Graph Theory
• Discrete Mathematics
• +3 more

Sophie Spirkl is an Associate Professor (with tenure) in the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization at the University of Waterloo. Previously, she held postdoctoral positions at Princeton University (as an NSF postdoc and instructor, supervised by Maria Chudnovsky) and at Rutgers University (under Jeff Kahn). She earned her PhD from Princeton University under the guidance of Maria Chudnovsky and Paul Seymour. Her research focuses on graph theory and combinatorics, with notable contributions to induced subgraphs, tree decompositions, chromatic number properties, and structural graph theory. She is a recipient of the 2023 Sloan Research Fellowship and co-founded the diamond open-access journal Innovations in Graph Theory . Education: PhD in Mathematics, Princeton University (2016–2020) Postdoctoral Fellowships: Princeton (2020–2022), Rutgers (2018–2020) Research Interests: Dr. Spirkl’s work spans multiple areas of combinatorics, including structural graph theory, extremal graph theory, and algorithmic graph theory. She has published extensively on topics such as induced subgraph obstructions, χ-boundedness, tree decompositions, and the Erdős–Hajnal conjecture. Her research often intersects with theoretical computer science, particularly in parameterized complexity and graph colorings. Awards & Recognition: 2023 Sloan Research Fellowship Contributions to the Innovations in Graph Theory journal Academic Contributions: Her articles address foundational problems in graph theory, such as the Erdős–Hajnal conjecture for C₅, logarithmic treewidth in even-hole-free graphs, and induced saturation for cycles. She collaborates with leading researchers like Maria Chudnovsky and Paul Seymour, advancing the field through rigorous combinatorial analysis. Community Engagement: She coordinates the Women in Math Directed Reading Program at Waterloo, supporting underrepresented groups in mathematics. Her spouse, Logan Crew, is a Research Assistant Professor at the same institution.

• AI for Business
• Data Science
• Responsible AI
• +5 more

David Martens is a Professor of Data Science at the University of Antwerp , where he directs the Applied Data Mining Research Group within the Faculty of Business and Economics . He also serves as Chair of the Department of Engineering Management and Director of the Antwerp Center on Responsible AI . His academic work spans data mining , interpretable machine learning , and the societal impact of AI . PhD in Applied Economic Sciences (KU Leuven, 2008) Director, Antwerp Center on Responsible AI Chair, Department of Engineering Management Martens' research focuses on responsible AI and data ethics , with applications in finance, public policy, and behavioral analysis. His recent publications emphasize counterfactual explanations , LLM interpretability , and privacy implications in AI systems. His articles reveal trends in Explainable AI (XAI) , including narrative-driven explanations , graph neural networks , and ethical challenges like monetization risks and algorithmic bias. Keywords span Computer Science , Artificial Intelligence , and Behavioral Data . Martens is a leading voice in data science ethics , authoring the book Data Science Ethics: Concepts, Techniques, and Cautionary Tales (Oxford University Press, 2022). He combines academic rigor with industry experience, having consulted for banks, telecom firms, and startups in fraud detection and digital advertising .

Karoline FaustView profile

Associate Professor

• Microbial community dynamics
• Microbial systems biology
• Bioinformatics
• +6 more

Karoline Faust is an Associate Professor at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology (Rega Institute) and the Faculty of Medicine . She contributes to the iSi Health and Leuven One Health institutes, and serves on senior academic councils. Her research spans microbial systems biology, focusing on community dynamics and network analysis. Education: PhD in bioinformatics (2010, KU Leuven) Affiliations: KU Leuven, ISME Journal editorial board, Belgian Society for Microbiology Her research investigates microbial community dynamics , systems biology approaches to microbiomes, and bioinformatics tool development . She specializes in modeling human gut microbiota , synthetic microbial communities , and environmental microbiomes (e.g., microplastic impacts on Daphnia microbiomes). Her work integrates metabolic modeling , network analysis , and experimental systems to understand microbial interactions. Recent publications highlight her contributions to microbial network inference , 16S rRNA sequencing protocols , microfluidics , and ecological modeling of microbiomes. She develops tools like manta , miaSim , and CoNet to analyze community structures. Teaching: Karoline co-teaches courses in microbiology, bioinformatics, and network analysis at KU Leuven, and has contributed to international workshops on microbial network inference. Scientific Engagement: She serves as Senior Editor at ISME Journal and Secretary of the Belgian Society for Microbiology .

• Smart Grids
• Distributed Control Systems
• Renewable Energy Integration
• +6 more

Geert Deconinck is a full professor at KU Leuven , leading the Electrical Energy Systems and Applications (ELECTA) research group within the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT). He also serves as scientific leader of the EnergyVille research center's algorithms domain, focusing on smart electrical networks and thermal systems. M.Sc. and Ph.D. from KU Leuven Head of ELECTA since 2012 (10 professors, 8 postdocs, 70+ PhDs) Over 8 million EUR research budget in last 5 years 44 completed PhDs and 10 current advisees IEEE Transactions editorial board member His research spans smart grid architectures , distributed control , and cyber-physical security , with recent focus on EV-grid integration , renewable energy democratization , and multi-carrier energy systems . Current projects include: Smart Charging - E-Mobility meets Renewable Energy Early Detection and Defense Systems for Smart Grids Open-source P2P energy sharing platforms Microgrid control strategies for PV-battery systems Awarded IET Fellow and IEEE Senior Member status, his work combines machine learning with power systems engineering through both theoretical modeling and experimental validation . He has contributed over 575 publications with 9800+ Google Scholar citations.

• Inverse problems and reconstruction
• Neuroimaging
• Quantitative MRI
• +1 more

Daan Christiaens is a tenure track lecturer at KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering Sciences. He is affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) and Department of Imaging & Pathology, serving as a member of the Medical Imaging Division and the KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI). His academic responsibilities include membership in the Faculty Councils of Engineering Sciences and Medicine. His research focuses on: Inverse problems in medical imaging reconstruction Neuroimaging techniques for brain analysis Advanced quantitative MRI methodologies Diffusion-weighted imaging for microstructural assessment Dr. Christiaens' recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a consistent focus on diffusion MRI innovations, including novel reconstruction algorithms, neonatal brain development mapping, and clinical applications for neurodegenerative disorders. Key technical themes include motion correction, multi-shell modeling, and AI-enhanced image processing, while clinical applications span Alzheimer's disease, cerebral palsy, and autism research. He leads significant research projects including: MRI reconstruction with dynamic field monitoring (2024-2028) Compressed sensing for microstructure imaging (2022-2026) Neonatal diffusion MRI network connectivity analysis (2024-2028) As a core developer of the MRtrix3 software framework for medical image processing, he contributes to essential tools in neuroimaging research.

• Digital Law
• Data Protection
• E-Commerce Regulation
• +3 more

Florian Jacques is a Researcher at the University of Namur, affiliated with the Faculty of Law and the Namur Digital Institute. He holds a Doctorate from the University of Namur (2019). His research focuses on digital law, data protection, AI ethics, and EU regulatory frameworks. Jacques has led and collaborated on projects like the eIDAS legal study and a training initiative on government-to-government information exchange. His work bridges legal challenges posed by emerging technologies, with notable contributions to AI policy, pandemic governance, and digital identity regulations. He has published extensively across journals and edited volumes, including analyses of the DSA/DMA frameworks and APD jurisprudence. Education: Doctorate in Law, University of Namur (2019) His research interests center on digital transformation’s legal implications, particularly in data governance, e-commerce, and public policy. Jacques has analyzed how pandemic responses exposed gaps in legislative frameworks and explored ethical dimensions of AI applications like ChatGPT. His publications reflect a cross-disciplinary approach to modern legal challenges in digital spaces. Notable projects include a 2025 study on eIDAS modernization and a training program on international data exchange protocols. While no formal awards are listed, his active research output (24+ publications since 2019) underscores his academic engagement. He collaborates with institutions like the Centre de Recherche Information, Droit et Société (CRIDS) and contributes to policy-oriented research teams.

Johan DriesenView profile

Professor

• Renewable Energy
• Power Electronics
• Electrical Drives
• +7 more

Johan Driesen is a full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Sciences, where he serves as Department Head of Electrical Energy Systems and Applications (ELECTA) and Director of the KU Leuven Institute for Energy and Society (KIEM). He also holds leadership positions at EnergyVille as Division Head and Subdivision Head. His work spans both academic and applied research in electrical energy systems. His research interests focus on renewable energy integration, power electronics, electrical drives, electric vehicles, and smart grids. Driesen's work particularly emphasizes distributed generation of electricity, with significant contributions to floating photovoltaics, offshore wind integration, and low-voltage DC systems. His research group actively investigates the optimization of grid integration for renewable energy sources and the development of advanced power electronic converters. Driesen's recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on practical applications of renewable energy systems, with particular focus on reliability analysis of low-voltage DC systems, optimization of PV-battery systems, and integration of electric vehicles with renewable energy sources. His work bridges theoretical analysis with real-world implementation challenges. Laureate prize of the Belgian Royal Society of Electrotechnics (KBVE/SRBE) 'Research and Development' for master theses 1996 2nd place in final round IEEE Region 8 Student Paper Contest 1997 in München, Germany Laureate biannual prize 'R.Sinave' of the Belgian Royal Society of Electrotechnics (KBVE/SRBE) for best PhDs 2002 Driesen has supervised numerous students and researchers, including J. Despeghel who completed work on residential PV-battery system optimization. His current research portfolio includes substantial projects such as Flux50 (working on the future energy system), solar and wind energy in the Belgian marine zone, and smart charging solutions that integrate e-mobility with renewable energy. He serves as promoter or co-promoter on multiple major research initiatives with funding extending through 2028. At EnergyVille, Driesen leads research teams working on cutting-edge energy solutions, with particular focus on DC systems, grid integration challenges, and the development of innovative power electronic solutions for renewable energy applications. His work has significant industrial relevance and practical implementation potential.

Julie DethierView profile

Research Fellow

• Computational Neuroscience
• Neural Oscillations
• Brain-Machine Interfaces
• +2 more

Julie Dethier is a Research Fellow at the University of Liège, affiliated with the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Montefiore Institute. Her research bridges cellular neuroscience and network dynamics, with focus on pathological rhythms in Parkinson's disease and brain-machine interface development. She completed her Ph.D. in 2015 under Prof. Sepulchre's supervision. Her academic journey includes: Ph.D. in Systems and Modeling (2015), University of Liège with Princeton University research stay (2014-2015) Master of Science in Bioengineering (2011), Stanford University (Brains in Silicon lab) Master of Applied Sciences in Biomedical Engineering (2010, summa cum laude), University of Liège Bachelor of Applied Sciences (2008, summa cum laude), University of Liège Dr. Dethier investigates how cellular feedback mechanisms generate pathological beta oscillations in basal ganglia circuits, disrupting motor function in Parkinson's disease. Her computational approaches model the transition from unicellular rhythms to network-level oscillations, with implications for deep-brain stimulation therapies. She integrates electrophysiological data with dynamical systems theory to explain robustness and modulation in neural circuits. Her publication record demonstrates evolving expertise from brain-machine interface hardware (2011-2012) to fundamental neural mechanism studies (2013-2015). Key themes include spiking neural network decoders, cellular feedback loops, and pathological oscillation generation. Work spans computational modeling, neuromorphic engineering, and translational neuroscience with applications in neuroprosthetics. Major recognitions include: WBI excellence grant for Princeton research (2014) LEAR Foundation Fellowship for Cambridge research (2013) Audience Award at ULg thesis competition (2013) IEEE EMBS Best Poster Award (2011) Fulbright Honorary Fellowship and Rotary International Fellowship (2010) Funded by competitive F.R.S.-FNRS and international fellowships, her research involved cross-institutional collaboration with Princeton, Cambridge, and Stanford teams. While no formal advisees are listed, her publications reflect mentorship through co-supervised projects and conference presentations. Current work extends her doctoral thesis on multiscale neural dynamics. She maintains active ties with the Systems and Modeling Research Unit at Liège, Brains in Silicon lab at Stanford, and participates in Benelux neuroscience networks through the Montefiore Institute.

• Operations Research
• Operations Management
• Sequencing and Scheduling
• +6 more

Roel Leus is a full professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), part of the Operations Research and Statistics Research Group (ORSTAT). He holds roles such as Program Director for the Business Engineering programs and Chairman of the KU Leuven Advisory Committee for the Chinese Region. He earned his PhD in Applied Economics from KU Leuven in 2003, focusing on project planning under uncertainty. His research emphasizes operations research and management, particularly scheduling, project planning, and decision-making under uncertainty. Education: PhD in Applied Economics (KU Leuven, 2003); Master's in Business Engineering (Handelsingenieur, KU Leuven, 1998). He has held academic positions since 2003, including adjunct professorships at Beijing Jiaotong University. His administrative roles include heading ORSTAT research group (2012–2016) and program directorships. Research Interests: Sequencing and scheduling, project planning under uncertainty, discrete optimization, and practical quantitative decision support. He has supervised 12 graduated PhD students as primary supervisor and contributed to numerous publications in top journals like INFORMS Journal on Computing and European Journal of Operational Research. Teaching: Courses include 'Introduction to Operations Research,' 'Operations Research,' and 'Applications of Operations Research.' He coordinates master's theses in Data Science and Business Analytics, focusing on practical optimization problems. Grants and Projects: Acquired over €2 million in research funding from private companies, the National Bank of Belgium, and KU Leuven. His work spans satellite scheduling, supply chain management, and cross-docking logistics. Labs/Teams: Active in ORSTAT, collaborating on projects like drone-assisted delivery and robust scheduling algorithms. His research bridges theoretical advancements with real-world applications in logistics, manufacturing, and aerospace.

Bruno VolckaertView profile

Professor

• Cloud Computing
• Cybersecurity
• Internet of Things
• +7 more

Bruno Volckaert is a Professor in the Department of Information Technology at Ghent University and Senior Researcher at imec. He obtained his Master of Computer Science (2001) and PhD in Grid Computing Resource Management (2006) from Ghent University. His research focuses on distributed cloud systems for Smart Cities and Industry 4.0 applications. Volckaert's expertise spans: Reliable distributed cloud backend systems Autonomous optimization of cloud applications Cybersecurity through machine learning IoT data processing architectures Kubernetes-based container orchestration Edge-to-cloud continuum computing His publications demonstrate strong focus on: cloud-native technologies, Kubernetes optimization, cybersecurity frameworks, and distributed AI systems. Recent work emphasizes reinforcement learning for auto-scaling, secure edge computing, and intrusion detection systems. He has contributed to over 40 national/international research projects and authored 100+ publications. Current affiliations include leadership roles in: IDLab Research Unit (Ghent University) imec Research Center

• Numerical Analysis
• Applied Mathematics
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• +5 more

Stefan Vandewalle is a full professor at the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, KU Leuven. His research focuses on numerical analysis, applied mathematics, and computational methods for stochastic differential equations, wind energy modeling, and uncertainty quantification. Department Chair, KU Leuven Member, Subdivision Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics Member, iSi Health Institute Observer, Faculty Council of Sciences Chair, Department Council for Computer Science His recent work explores multiscale modeling, Monte Carlo methods, and data assimilation techniques. Projects include micro-macro Parareal algorithms, wind turbine aeroelasticity, and turbulent flow reconstruction for wind farms. He supervises PhD candidates and collaborates on interdisciplinary studies involving structural mechanics and renewable energy systems. Publications highlight advancements in parallel-in-time methods, stochastic optimization for tokamak reactors, and DNS-based control of turbulent flows. Key keywords: Multiscale numerical methods Uncertainty quantification Wind energy simulation Monte Carlo algorithms PDE-constrained optimization Stochastic differential equations He contributes to academic governance as a member of extended faculty boards and evaluation committees.

• Smart Cities
• Digital Platforms
• Business Models for ICT Systems
• +4 more

Pieter Ballon is a Full Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Director of imec-SMIT, part of the Studies in Media, Innovation and Technology (SMIT) research group. He holds dual affiliations in Communication Sciences and SMIT. His roles include leadership in interdisciplinary research projects and academic administration. Research expertise focuses on Smart Cities, Digital Platforms, and ICT business models. Key interests include platform urbanism, data ecosystems, and algorithmic systems' societal impacts. He has supervised 122 academic works, including 8 master’s theses listed here. Notable awards include the 1st Brussels Smart City Ambassador (2016-2017) and multiple Best Paper Awards. His work spans over 300 publications and 75 research projects, with active grants like SHALGO (2024-2028) and AMAI 5 (2025-2026). He frequently engages in public debates, academic conferences, and media discussions on topics like algorithmic governance and smart city technologies.

• Malware Analysis
• Symbolic Execution
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Charles-Henry Bertrand Van Ouytsel is a Research Assistant and Visiting Lecturer at Université catholique de Louvain , affiliated with the Louvain Polytechnic School (EPL) and the Computer Engineering Center (INGI) . His work focuses on malware analysis , symbolic execution , and machine learning for cybersecurity applications. Research Areas : Packing detection, intrusion detection systems, side-channel security, and adversarial machine learning. Teaching : Involved in courses like Secured systems engineering (LINFO2144) and Software engineering and programming systems seminar (LINFO2359) . His recent publications emphasize malware obfuscation techniques and security evaluation frameworks . Collaborations with Axel Legay and others highlight his contributions to tool development (e.g., Packing-Box , SEMA ). No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned.

• Electronics Engineering
• Signal Processing
• Biomedical Engineering
• +3 more

Bruno Tiago da Silva Gomes is a Researcher in the Department of Electronics and Informatics at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium. His work focuses on FPGA-based hardware acceleration, biomedical signal processing, and embedded systems. He leads several high-impact projects, including ENACT (environmental health interventions) and Tech4Health (future health technologies). His research spans FPGA design, machine learning acceleration, and real-time signal processing. Education: PhD in Electronics and Informatics (2019, VUB), supervised by Professors Touhafi and Braeken. His thesis addressed streaming application acceleration on FPGAs. Research interests include Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), biomedical sensors (e.g., photoplethysmography), beamforming, and high-level synthesis. He has co-authored over 60 publications and holds an h-index of 439. Key projects include OZR4103 (power-efficient AI for biomedical applications) and NSIS3 (decarbonisation technologies). His work integrates hardware-software co-design for edge computing and secure TinyML systems. Advising includes a Master’s thesis on PPG signal analysis. He contributes to datasets like the AMIVU Acoustic Map Imaging Dataset.

Véronique HosteView profile

Professor

• Computational Linguistics
• Natural Language Processing
• Machine Learning
• +7 more

Véronique Hoste is Senior Full Professor of Computational Linguistics at Ghent University's Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, where she serves as Department Head of Translation, Interpreting and Communication and Director of the LT3 language technology research team. She also holds the position of Research Director for the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy. Her educational background includes a PhD in Computational Linguistics from the University of Antwerp (2005) focused on optimization in machine learning for coreference resolution. Key research areas encompass machine learning for natural language processing, semantic and discourse modeling, including specialized work in event detection, entity/event coreference resolution, irony detection, and emotion analysis. Hoste's publication trends reveal strong interdisciplinary focus, with recent work bridging NLP with crisis communication, digital humanities, and ethical AI. Her team develops high-quality datasets (e.g., EmoTwiCS for emotion trajectories) and collaborates extensively with commercial partners on projects like SentEMO for aspect-based sentiment analysis. Current research emphasizes multimodal emotion analysis, fuzzy rough set methods for sentiment detection, and cross-document event coreference. Elected member of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts (KVAB) Francqui Chair appointment by Université Libre de Bruxelles (2023-2024) Co-founded LT3 spin-off AlfaSent (2024) for customer feedback analysis Authored first Dutch-language book on NLP: "Taaltechnologie ontrafeld" She actively supervises multiple PhD students on projects including Common-sense knowledge in irony detection (Common-sense), cross-document event coreference (Encore), and empathy modeling in conversational agents (FlandersAI). Her team secures funding through interdisciplinary collaborations like NewsDNA for news recommendation and METRICS for emotion trajectory analysis. Hoste also engages in public outreach through the "AI at school" initiative and advises on language technology integration in high school curricula. The LT3 laboratory under her leadership maintains strong industry partnerships and develops practical NLP tools including EmotioNL and Automatic Term Extraction systems, while advancing core research through projects like CLARIAH-VL for data curation.