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Jo Nijs is a Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), affiliated with the Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy. His work focuses on chronic pain mechanisms, chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurophysiological adaptations. He leads the 'Pain in Motion' research group and has authored over 950 publications with an h-index of 73. Research interests include: chronic musculoskeletal pain pathophysiology, central sensitization, and translational strategies for pain management. Notable projects include investigating epigenetic mechanisms in chronic pain and interdisciplinary approaches to osteoarthritis treatment. Recipient of the 2020 Francqui Collen Chair and 2017 Excellence in Research Award Supervised 73 students in physiotherapy and pain science Active in international collaborations across 25+ countries Recent research emphasizes pain neuroscience education efficacy, pain-sleep interactions, and immune mechanisms in chronic conditions. His work bridges clinical practice with advanced neuroimaging and molecular biology techniques.

• Pain Management
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
• +4 more

Charlotte Martin is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium. With a PhD in Organic Chemistry (2013) and Master of Science in Biomolecular Engineering (2010) from Université de Montpellier, she specializes in peptide chemistry, hydrogel synthesis, and GPCR signal transduction. Her work bridges biomaterials and pharmacology for advanced drug delivery systems. Research Interests: Peptide hydrogels for controlled drug release GPCR allostery and peptidomimetic development Neuropeptide-based pain treatment Biomaterial engineering via self-assembly Molecular design of agonists/inhibitors Applications in nanomedicine and immuno-PET imaging Scientific Contributions: Developed injectable supramolecular hydrogels (FWOSB194 project) Engineered β-arrestin peptidomimetics for GPCR modulation (FWOTM1170) Collaborated on single-domain antibody applications with VUB-UGent and VUB-EPFL alliances Scientific Awards: Dr. Bert & Elizabeth Schram Award (2022) ESMI Best Oral Presentation (2020) 3× Poster Presentation Awards (2018–2022) MOCS Conference 3rd Place Best Poster (2021) Expertise Trends: Publications (113+) focus on peptide hydrogels (49%), GPCR peptidomimetics (44%), and nanomaterial applications. Collaborations span Belgium (VUB, UGent), France (Université de Montpellier), Switzerland (EPFL), and Japan (Kanazawa University).

• Peptide Chemistry
• Peptidomimetics
• Hydrogel Synthesis
• +5 more

Thomas Voets is a full professor at the Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, and head of the Laboratory for Ion Channel Research (VIB-KU Leuven). He is a member of the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain Research and the KU Leuven Brain Institute. Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine His research focuses on TRP channels, chronic pain mechanisms, ion channelopathies, and microglial roles in neurodevelopmental disorders. Recent projects include HumanBLISS (bladder wall sensory innervation), TRPM3 in chronic pain, and models for TRPM3-related developmental diseases. Key publications address TRP channel structures, pain pathways in cancer patients, and microglial cytoskeletal control in synaptic deficits. Collaborations span molecular spine development (GPR158-PLCXD2) and neurodegenerative models (APOE deficiency). Teaching includes courses in Cell Physiology, Biomedical Measurement Techniques, and Mathematical Models in Medicine.

• TRP Channels
• Ion Channelopathies
• Chronic Pain Mechanisms
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Sarah Michiels is a Professor at Hasselt University, specializing in audiology and neurology with a focus on somatic tinnitus. Her research addresses the diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus linked to neck/jaw muscle tension, including the development of the RaSST diagnostic tool and smartphone app-based therapies. She investigates how physical activity and lifestyle influence tinnitus severity, with studies involving over 800,000 individuals in Flanders. Current projects include a randomized controlled trial (CATT) assessing a mobile app’s efficacy and exploring brain differences in somatic tinnitus patients.

• Tinnitus
• Audiology
• Physical Therapy
• +3 more

Steven Ballet is a researcher at the Department of Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), with a focus on peptide chemistry and medicinal applications. His work bridges chemical synthesis with biomedical translation, particularly in pain management and drug delivery systems. Research areas include: Peptide and peptidomimetic design GPCR-targeted ligands for opioid reduction Injectable hydrogels for controlled molecule release Nanobody-based molecular chaperones Recent publications highlight collaborations with bioreactor engineering teams and structural biology groups, advancing therapies for neurodegenerative and cardiac conditions. Projects like [ORACLE] and NAIROBI demonstrate translational impact. Scientific awards include: 2017 - 1st place ie-net-price for Bioengineers 2018 - 35EPS Bursary 2014 & 2017 - Chemistry excellence awards (KVCV) He supervises PhD students in molecular pharmacology and leads fundamental/applied projects involving bioreactors, NMR technology, and supramolecular assemblies.

• Peptide Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Molecular Pharmacology
• +3 more

Michel Meulders serves as Associate Professor of Statistics at the Operations Research and Statistics Research Group (ORSTAT) within KU Leuven's Faculty of Economics and Business. His dual-campus appointments (Brussels and Leuven) reflect his interdisciplinary work bridging statistical methodology with psychological applications, particularly in discrete choice modeling and pain research. Education: 1994: Licentiate in Psychology 2000: PhD in Psychology Research Focus: Dr. Meulders' work centers on discrete choice modeling and multivariate statistics , with significant contributions to quantitative psychology and psychometrics . His methodological innovations address sample size determination , preference heterogeneity , and attribute non-attendance in choice experiments, while applied research explores pain perception and avoidance behavior modulation through positive affect and social support. Publication Trends: Recent work (2022-2025) reveals two converging streams: (1) advanced discrete choice methodologies (machine learning integration, experimental design optimization) and (2) psychological applications (VR pain interventions, social media impact on health behavior). This interdisciplinary approach uniquely connects econometric modeling with clinical psychology through rigorous statistical frameworks. Academic Leadership: PhD Supervision: Primary advisor for S.Y. Assele (discrete choice experiments) and A. Gutierrez Vargas (heterogeneity modeling) Current Projects: Topics in Discrete Choice Modeling (2022-2026) - Co-promotor Heterogeneity in Discrete Choice Models (2019-2023) - Co-promotor Discrete Choice Experiments: Screening & Framing (2018-2023) - Co-promotor Administrative Roles: Head of Subdivision 29 (Brussels Campus), Council member for FEB and Campus Council Research Ecosystem: Dr. Meulders operates at the intersection of ORSTAT's operations research expertise and the Quantitative Psychology group's behavioral science focus, facilitating cross-campus collaborations on statistical methodology development and psychological application testing. His work with the LStat General Assembly further extends methodological influence across KU Leuven's research infrastructure.

• Discrete Choice Modelling
• Multivariate Statistics
• Quantitative Psychology
• +3 more

Ishtiaq Ahmed is a researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. His research focuses on pain modulation, neurorehabilitation, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses, particularly in areas like fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and stroke rehabilitation. He has contributed to studies on noninvasive brain stimulation, adrenergic dysfunction in chronic conditions, and robot-assisted therapies for stroke patients. His work emphasizes methodological rigor in meta-analyses and has practical implications for clinical interventions. Collaborations span global institutions, with a focus on translating research into evidence-based practices. He has authored/co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles and developed tools like the MetaChange app for statistical analysis in meta-analyses. Notably, he has advised one research project and contributed an editorial on low-cost publishing venues for researchers. His research spans clinical medicine, neuroscience, and rehabilitation, with a commitment to improving patient outcomes through interdisciplinary approaches.

• Pain Modulation
• Neurorehabilitation
• Meta-analysis
• +6 more

Lukas Van Oudenhove is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven , affiliated with the Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism and the Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders unit. He is a member of interdisciplinary institutes including the Leuven Centre for Health Humanities , KU Leuven Brain Institute , and Leuven.AI . His research focuses on the gut-brain axis , neuroinflammation , and psychosomatic mechanisms in functional disorders. Academic Rank: Professor Key Affiliations: Faculty of Medicine (KU Leuven), LCH², LBI, Leuven.AI His research spans functional brain imaging of visceral pain, stress-modulated fear memory, microbiome metabolite effects on cognition, and neuroinflammatory mechanisms in fatigue. He leads projects like The gut-immune-brain axis as key to IBD fatigue and Neuroinflammation in sleep-pain relationships . Recent work explores butyrate's epigenetic modulation of fear memory and erythritol's impact on reward systems . Scientific contributions include a psychobiological model for gut-brain disorders and insights into interoceptive differences in fibromyalgia. Awards: Poster Prize Award (4th European Stress Conference, 2025) He serves on governance bodies: Council of the Faculty of Medicine (senior academic staff) Council/Board of the Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism

• Gut-Brain Axis
• Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Neuroscience
• +3 more

Lidia Caponi is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences , Hasselt University , affiliated with the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy. She plays a key role in teaching clinical internships and specialized rehabilitation courses. Her research and teaching interests focus on Rehabilitation Sciences , Physiotherapy , and Pediatric Rehabilitation , with expertise in multidisciplinary approaches to pain management and clinical training programs. She contributes to courses such as General Clinical Internship, Advanced Clinical Internship, and specialized modules in pediatric conditions.

• Rehabilitation Sciences
• Physiotherapy
• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• +3 more

Dr. Stef FEIJEN is a Temporary Academic Employee at Hasselt University , affiliated with the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences and the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy . His work focuses on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, sports physiotherapy, and biomechanical analysis, particularly in competitive swimming contexts. His teaching involves advanced practical skills in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, technology-assisted rehabilitation, and scientific internships for master's students. He contributes to courses on Manual therapy Sports physical therapy Biomechanics and movement analysis Health promotion and communication Research trends in his publications include Prognostic modeling for shoulder pain in swimmers Training load monitoring and its impact on musculoskeletal health Reliability of clinical assessments for shoulder and thoracic mobility Survey-based studies on rotator cuff disorder treatments

• Rehabilitation Sciences
• Physiotherapy
• Sports Physical Therapy
• +3 more

Annick Timmermans is a Professor at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences at Hasselt University and a practicing physiotherapist specializing in musculoskeletal disorders. Her research focuses on personalized treatments for osteoarthritis and lower back pain, leveraging technological applications to enhance patient self-reliance. She leads a team investigating the biopsychosocial mechanisms of pain and disability in musculoskeletal conditions, with a particular emphasis on hip osteoarthritis and post-surgical recovery. Key areas of study include patient subgroup classification, treatment outcome predictors, and the efficacy of tailored rehabilitation approaches. Recent work explores telemedicine applications, high-intensity training protocols, and the role of perceived injustice in cancer survivors' pain experiences. Her academic contributions span clinical trials, systematic reviews, and translational research in areas such as mHealth interventions, occupational driver health, and postoperative pain management. She actively collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to bridge clinical practice and technological innovation, aiming to optimize functional outcomes and quality of life for patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Notable initiatives include the Techno-HIT trial evaluating technology-supported high-intensity training for low back pain and the DirectPhysio study assessing physiotherapist-led care pathways for acute low back pain. Her research also addresses global health challenges, such as rising osteoarthritis prevalence linked to aging populations and sedentary lifestyles.

• Osteoarthritis
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Lower Back Pain
• +7 more

Andreas von Leupoldt is a Professor at the Health Psychology unit within the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at KU Leuven. His research focuses on the interplay between respiratory sensations , neural processing , and psychological factors like anxiety and depression. Current projects include studies on menthol inhalation for dyspnea relief (2024–2030), interoception across organ domains , and fear conditioning in respiratory diseases . He serves on multiple committees including the Social and Societal Ethics Committee (SMEC) and supervises doctoral candidates. His work bridges clinical psychology and respiratory physiology , with recent publications analyzing neural oscillations in sensory gating , effects of taVNS , and psychosocial factors in COPD . Grants from BOF and collaborative networks support his research.

• Respiratory Psychophysiology
• Neural Processing of Bodily Sensations
• Interoception
• +5 more

Nicolas Lejeune is a postdoctoral researcher at the Coma Science Group within the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain). He specializes in disorders of consciousness (DoC) following acute brain injuries, focusing on non-invasive neurophysiological assessments of pain perception. His work bridges clinical neurorehabilitation with advanced research, particularly in collaboration with Prof. André Mouraux from UCLouvain's Institute of Neuroscience. Research Focus Pain-Consciousness Interaction: Developing bedside neurophysiological methods to assess pain in DoC patients Epilepsy Management: Analyzing seizure patterns and treatment protocols in prolonged DoC Ethical Frameworks: Exploring moral dimensions of care and decision-making Therapeutic Development: Investigating pharmacological agents like apomorphine and ketamine Publication Trends Nicolas' recent work spans both clinical neuroscience and interdisciplinary physics applications. His 15 most recent publications focus on transcranial stimulation, pharmacological interventions, and disorders of consciousness assessment tools. Notably, his research includes neuroimaging of post-concussive symptoms, validation of aphasia evaluation methods, and exploration of near-death experience models. Technical Contributions While most publications align with clinical neuroscience, his work extends to quantum physics applications with studies on superconducting nanostructures and metasurface technology. This interdisciplinary approach appears to explore neural interface materials and advanced monitoring systems.

• Disorders of Consciousness
• Pain Perception
• Neurophysiology
• +5 more

Nils Runge is a researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, where he holds the academic rank of Researcher. His doctoral scholarship focuses on Physiotherapy, Human Physiology, and Anatomy. His research primarily explores the interplay between chronic pain, sleep disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions. He has conducted numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses on topics such as fibromyalgia treatment, pain-sleep correlations in chronic musculoskeletal pain populations, and comorbid obstructive sleep apnea in chronic pain patients. Key research interests include pain modulation mechanisms, noninvasive brain stimulation therapies, and integrating behavioral sleep interventions into physiotherapy practices. His work emphasizes evidence-based approaches to chronic pain management, particularly through lifestyle interventions and multimodal therapies. Nils has contributed to over 17 peer-reviewed publications since 2022, with notable studies appearing in journals like Clinical Journal of Pain and Sleep Medicine Reviews . His research trends highlight a focus on bidirectional relationships between pain and sleep, systematic review methodologies, and clinical implementation strategies for improving patient outcomes in musculoskeletal and chronic pain contexts. Nils has also explored barriers to adopting cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in Belgium’s physiotherapy sector, emphasizing practical clinical applications. Labs/teams: Nils collaborates extensively with institutions globally, particularly in Europe, focusing on translational research bridging pain science and clinical practice.

• Pain Management
• Sleep Disorders
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• +3 more

Mahyar Firouzi is a Researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, affiliated with the department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy and the Brain, Body and Cognition research group. His work focuses on neurorehabilitation, motor learning, and the application of non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., tDCS) in neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. He is the principal investigator of the ongoing project 'Neural networks underlying implicit motor sequence learning in Parkinson's disease: effects of non-invasive brain stimulation' (2021–2025). His research integrates cognitive neuroscience with clinical rehabilitation, exploring topics such as cerebellar function, dual-task gait performance, and exoskeleton design for aging populations. Firouzi has supervised two Master’s theses examining perioperative pain management strategies and lumbar radiculopathy. He actively participates in academic events, including organizing symposiums on portable technology and presenting at conferences on neurostimulation. Key contributions include systematic reviews on stroke rehabilitation electrotherapy and tDCS effects in Parkinson’s disease, as well as developing exergames and functional cerebellum atlases. He received the Best Presentation Award at the C4N PhD Day in 2020 and holds a FWO Fundamental Research Fellowship.

• Neuroscience
• Neurorehabilitation
• Motor Learning
• +5 more