Find Academic Supervisors

Gert-Jan EuverinkView profile

Professor

• Biotechnology
• Microbiology
• Water Technology
• +5 more

Prof. Gert-Jan Euverink is a Professor in Biotechnology at the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, affiliated with the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG). He specializes in bioprocess engineering, focusing on sustainable resource recovery from agricultural and industrial waste streams. His work emphasizes anaerobic digestion, bioplastic production, and microbial community analysis using advanced genomic techniques. Education: PhD in Microbiology/Biochemistry (University of Groningen, 1995). Postdoctoral research at NIKO-TNO (1994-1998) led to discoveries in starch enzymology. Founded a high-throughput screening lab at Groningen (1998). Research Interests: Clean bioprocessing, low-energy fermentation systems, and microbial metabolism modeling. Key areas include Biorefinery design PHA production from xylan Microbial community dynamics in wastewater Biogas enhancement via bioaugmentation Key Activities: Deputy Scientific Director of Wetsus (2004–present), Technological Top Institute for Water Technology. Board member of Koninklijk Natuurkundig Genootschap and Groningse Chemische Kring. Lab Facilities: Uses 3D-printed microreactors, Zernike Advanced Processing (ZAP) facility, and REMO-lab for scale-up studies. Collaborates with industries and universities in pilot projects.

• Active Vibration Control
• Nonlinear Dynamics
• Energy Harvesting
• +3 more

Maryam GhandchiTehrani is a Professor in the Dynamics and Vibration department at the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Science and Engineering. She holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Liverpool (2007) and has held prior academic positions including Associate Professor (2017–2021) and Lecturer (2010–2017) at the University of Southampton. Her research focuses on active vibration control, nonlinear dynamics, and energy harvesting, particularly in integrating nonlinearities into control systems and energy harvesters. She also develops advanced optical measurement techniques using high-speed cameras for structural health monitoring. Key publications include advancements in vibration energy harvesting, nonlinear feedback control, and parametric resonance systems. Her work has been recognized with a 2021 fellowship from the University of Padova. She advises on doctoral examinations and collaborates internationally in vibration engineering. Current affiliations include the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen. Research interests span both theoretical and experimental domains, emphasizing practical applications in aerospace, mechanical systems, and sustainable energy. Her lab’s work aims to enhance vibration suppression and energy extraction efficiency through innovative control strategies and material designs.

Hero Jan HeeresView profile

Professor

• Circular Carbon Conversions
• Catalytic Technology
• Biomass Utilization
• +4 more

Hero Jan Heeres is a Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, specializing in Green Chemical Reaction Engineering. His research focuses on catalytic technologies for circular carbon conversions, including biomass-to-biofuels (e.g., catalytic pyrolysis), platform chemicals (levulinic acid, hydroxymethylfurfural), and plastic recycling via pyrolysis. He leads a group active in national and international consortia. He holds roles such as member of the Academic Advisory Board of ISPT and board member of the Knowledge Center for Energy from Biomass Foundation. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and responsible consumption. Education: PhD in Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis (University of Groningen, 1990), Post-doctoral Research at Oxford University (1990–1991). Research Interests: Development of efficient catalytic systems for converting biomass and waste plastics into valuable chemicals and fuels. Recent advances include plastic recycling via pyrolysis and novel reactor designs for lignocellulosic biomass processing. External Activities: Collaborations with industry and government bodies, including innovation hubs and sustainability initiatives in the Netherlands. Labs/Teams: Active in the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG), focusing on green chemical processes. Involved in pilot-scale projects for converting mixed plastics into BTX aromatics and bio-oil.

Juan PeypouquetView profile

Professor

• Optimization
• Mathematical Analysis
• Variational Inequalities
• +4 more

Juan Peypouquet is a Professor of Optimization at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence. His research focuses on theoretical aspects of optimization, dynamical systems, and their applications in healthcare, mining, and other fields. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and has contributed extensively to the field of variational analysis and numerical optimization. His research interests include optimization algorithms, asymptotic analysis of dynamical systems, and machine learning applications in healthcare management. Notable projects include predicting no-show appointments in pediatric hospitals using machine learning and studying inertial iterations for convex minimization problems. Peypouquet has published over 35 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing inertial Krasnoselskii-Mann iterations, Hessian-driven damping dynamics, and penalty schemes for constrained variational inequalities. His contributions bridge theoretical mathematics and practical applications, such as optimization in mining operations and image processing. Affiliations: Bernoulli Institute, Systems, Control and Applied Analysis group. Ancillary Activities: Yoga instructor at the Sports Center RUG & HG, and member of the Huis voor de Sport Groningen foundation.

• Bayesian Statistics
• Computational Statistics
• Bayesian networks
• +4 more

Marco Grzegorczyk is an Associate Professor of Computational Statistics at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Department of Statistics and Probability within the Bernoulli Institute. His research focuses on Bayesian networks, computational statistics, and their applications in systems biology and gene regulatory network analysis. He holds editorial roles at journals like Computational Statistics and Statistica Neerlandica . Education: PhD in Statistics (2006, TU Dortmund University), Habilitation (2012, TU Dortmund), and Diplom in Statistics (2003, Dortmund University). Research Interests : Bayesian network development for systems biology, statistical inference of gene regulatory networks, and machine learning approaches for biological data analysis. His work bridges statistical methodology with applications in genetics, proteomics, and clinical studies. Key contributions include advancements in non-homogeneous dynamic Bayesian networks and methodologies for handling incomplete data. His supervision of 10+ PhD students has led to impactful studies in clonal tracking and gene therapy safety analyses. Awards : Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs (2017), FIT Fellowship (2017), and recognition for teaching innovation at Groningen University. He co-leads the Data Science & System Complexity group and actively participates in grants, including former DFG-funded research on Bayesian networks in systems biology.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Theoretical Ecology
• Evolutionary Genetics
• +3 more

Ido Pen is an Associate Professor at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences. His research focuses on theoretical evolutionary ecology, particularly the evolution of social behavior, sex allocation, and aging in social insects and other organisms. Key areas include eusociality evolution, parental effects, and temperature-driven sex determination mechanisms. Pen leads the Pen Group, which integrates theoretical models with empirical studies to explore evolutionary processes. Recent work examines inbreeding effects on reproductive senescence in birds, cooperative breeding dynamics, and maternal manipulation in eusociality origins. His research spans diverse topics such as harbor seal rehabilitation, vocal coordination in gorillas, and pest control strategies for Drosophila suzukii. Projects often involve collaboration with international teams and interdisciplinary approaches, blending genetics, ecology, and mathematical modeling. Pen has supervised PhD students like John Kreider and Maria Santos Mira, contributing to datasets on social polymorphism and genetic sex determination. He actively engages in open science initiatives, advocating for community-driven preprint systems to accelerate ecological and evolutionary research dissemination. Key contributions include theoretical frameworks on social insect caste determination and the role of environmental predictability in parental effects. His work frequently addresses evolutionary trade-offs, such as between survival and reproduction, and the interplay between genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in aging. Pen’s research also highlights the importance of understanding evolutionary feedback from adaptive plasticity, as seen in studies on sex ratio control and conflict resolution in insect societies.

Marieke van VugtView profile

Associate Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Computational Psychiatry
• +7 more

Marieke van Vugt is an Associate Professor in Cognitive Modeling at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Department of Artificial Intelligence. Her research focuses on understanding mind-wandering and its implications using computational modeling, EEG, and neuroimaging techniques. She explores how meditation and mindfulness practices influence cognitive systems and mental health, particularly depression and rumination. Van Vugt obtained her PhD in neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania (2008) and completed postdoctoral research at Princeton University before establishing her research group in Groningen (2010). She is actively involved in organizations like Mind & Life Europe and the International Society for Cognitive Modeling. Her work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, including computational psychiatry and social neuroscience, to address questions about attention, decision-making, and brain dynamics. Key areas of interest include the neural correlates of repetitive negative thinking and the development of biomarkers for mental health through speech and behavioral analysis.

D.B. (Dennis) VeltropView profile

Associate Professor

• Corporate Governance
• Board Effectiveness
• Board Processes
• +4 more

Dr. D.B. (Dennis) Veltrop is an Associate Professor of Corporate Governance (with Ius Promovendi) at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business, Department of Accounting and Auditing — Management. His research focuses on corporate governance, board effectiveness, behavioral auditing, and strategic management. He co-founded BoardResearch.org and has expertise in board processes, top management team dynamics, and sustainability governance. Education and teaching include coordinating the Research Master courses 'Learning and Practicising Research' and 'Organization Theory for ReMa,' as well as supervising master theses in accounting and controlling. His work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly environmental sustainability through CEO-director value alignment. Research interests span board-TMT conflict resolution, auditor resilience, and the impact of social networks on professional decisions. Despite no listed awards, his extensive publications (22+ articles) reflect contributions to governance and management literature. Collaborations include studies on governance interfaces, director monitoring, and audit quality.

Lisette de Jonge-HoekstraView profile

Assistant Professor

• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Development
• Multimodal Communication
• +6 more

Dr. Lisette de Jonge-Hoekstra is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Developmental Psychology , part of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences at the University of Groningen. Her research focuses on multimodal communication, cognitive development, and the interplay between gestures, speech, and complex dynamical systems. She explores how children's hand movements and speech patterns coordinate during learning and problem-solving tasks, emphasizing embodied cognition and ecological psychology frameworks. Her expertise spans developmental psychology, educational research, and the application of complexity science to understanding cognitive variability. She has contributed to methodologies using motion capture and computational tools like OpenPose to analyze movement data. Dr. de Jonge-Hoekstra has organized academic events such as the Heymans Colloquium on embodied music pedagogy and participates in editorial roles for Frontiers in Psychology . Research Awards: Recipient of the Aanjaagfonds Universiteit van het Noorden (2023). Teaching Roles: Leads courses on academic skills, research methods, and complexity in developmental psychology for bachelor and master programs. Key Projects: Investigates 'Differentiatie Binnenstebuiten' and hosts the 'Podcast grow with the flow'. Her work bridges Piagetian theory with modern dynamical systems approaches.

Helco van KeekenView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Prosthetics
• Exercise Medicine
• +3 more

Dr. Helco van Keeken is a Programme Leader for the Master's programmes in Sport Sciences and Human Movement Sciences, and a Leading Academic Teacher at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) within the Faculty of Medical Sciences. He holds an affiliation with the Department of Human Movement Sciences. With a background in physical therapy and a PhD in medical sciences, his work focuses on prosthetic limb gait analysis, neuromechanical concepts, and the implementation of Exercise = Medicine in clinical care. Education: He graduated with a Physical Therapy degree from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam in 1997 and completed his PhD at the University of Groningen, focusing on postural control in amputees. His research has been published in biomedical engineering and physics journals, emphasizing mathematical modeling of prosthetic gait in transfemoral amputees. Research Interests: Van Keeken’s expertise spans rehabilitation engineering, prosthetics, and clinical exercise interventions. His recent work evaluates physical activity levels in healthcare settings and the effectiveness of physiotherapeutic exercises post-knee arthroplasty. He actively contributes to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, as seen in projects like the Physicians Implement Exercise = Medicine consortium. Professional Contributions: He has organized events such as the ‘Publieksfestival Iedereen in beweging!’ and the Eindsymposium PIE=M, emphasizing public engagement. His accolades include first prizes for the ‘challAble’ project and third place in the 2013 Proefschriftprijs. Labs/Teams: His research leverages facilities like the CAREN lab for advanced movement analysis. He collaborates with clinicians and engineers to bridge theoretical models and clinical practice.

Nienke RentingView profile

Assistant Professor

• Workplace Learning
• Healthcare Education
• Digitalization in Healthcare
• +4 more

Dr. Nienke Renting is an Assistant Professor of Educational Sciences specializing in workplace learning at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on optimizing learning processes in healthcare organizations, particularly addressing the impact of digitalization on workplace learning. She holds academic positions including Research Fellow at the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health and teaches in healthcare management programs at the University of Groningen Business School. Her expertise spans educational organization management, professional development, and communities of practice, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches bridging medicine, education, and management. Notable contributions include studies on telemonitoring in COPD care, supervisor training effectiveness, and adverse effects of automated feedback systems. Awards: AMEE Research Paper Award (2015) Teaching Roles: Coordinator of Executive MBA Health, Kerndocent in Management & Economics in Healthcare Her work emphasizes leveraging technology while preserving social capital in healthcare learning environments, aiming to enhance organizational effectiveness and individual/team growth through evidence-based interventions.

Maarten KleinhansView profile

Professor

• Geomorphology
• Biogeoscience
• Coastal Dynamics
• +7 more

Prof. Maarten Kleinhans holds the Chair of Biogeomorphology of Rivers and Estuaries at Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences. His research focuses on dynamic landscapes such as rivers, deltas, and coasts, integrating computational models, experimental flumes (e.g., Metronome tidal flume), and field studies. Key areas include sediment transport, ecosystem interactions, sea-level rise impacts, and planetary geology, particularly Mars' fluvial systems. He collaborates with government agencies (Rijkswaterstaat), research institutes (Deltares), and educational outreach programs. His work emphasizes open science, philosophy of geoscience, and societal applications like flood defense and delta sustainability. Research Themes: Future Deltas, Climate Change, Coastal Evolution, Biogeoscience Labs/Teams: Metronome Tidal Flume Facility, Christiaan Brunings Lecture Series Publications highlight estuarine morphodynamics, mangrove ecosystems, and interdisciplinary approaches linking geology, biology, and societal challenges. His research addresses global issues like delta sustainability and planetary science, informed by historical and philosophical perspectives in earth sciences.

Daniel DraebingView profile

Assistant Professor

• Geomorphology
• Sediment Transport
• Geophysics
• +7 more

Dr. Daniel Draebing is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Geography at Utrecht University, Netherlands. His research focuses on geomorphic processes shaping Earth's surface, with emphasis on alpine environments, climate-driven erosion, and permafrost dynamics. He holds a PhD from the University of Bonn (2014) and has held academic roles at institutions like the Technical University of Munich and the University of Bayreuth. Affiliations: Utrecht University (Faculty of Geosciences), Department of Physical Geography Education: PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) in Geosciences from University of Bonn (2014), MSc (Diploma) in Geosciences from University of Bonn (2009) Research Interests His work spans paraglacial and periglacial processes , including frost weathering, rockwall erosion, and climate impacts on alpine landscapes. He employs field observations, lab experiments, and modeling to investigate: Erosion patterns linked to deglaciation and warming climates Rock mechanics and fracture kinematics in permafrost-affected environments Vegetation-geomorphic feedbacks in glacier forelands Key Research Contributions Recent work highlights elevation-dependent climate influences on alpine rock erosion and the role of frost cracking in rockwall degradation. His studies integrate geophysics, geomorphology, and climate science to address mountain landscape stability. Awards & Grants 2022 German Society for Geomorphology Post-Doc Award 2020 German Research Foundation Grant (506k€) 2016 VENI-equivalent grant (360k€) Teaching & Academic Contributions Lecturer for courses on geomorphology, hazards, and land degradation. Coordinates the Land Degradation module and contributes to fieldwork training programs.

Heidi LesscherView profile

Associate Professor

• Neurobiology of Play
• Addiction Vulnerability
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• +2 more

Heidi Lesscher is Associate Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, leading research on neurobiology of play behavior and vulnerability to addiction. Heads the Neurobiology of Behaviour research group studying how play influences cognitive development. Research focus: Role of risky play in cognitive control development Neurobiological mechanisms of addiction Play deprivation effects on stress sensitivity Animal models of resilience Co-chairs Dynamics of Youth's 'Thriving & Healthy Youth' community. Developed 'Healthy Play Better Coping' framework for chronically ill children. Awarded NWO grants for play research including PlayRisC project.

Tom P.J. van der SandeView profile

Lecturer

• Automotive Control Systems
• Vehicle Dynamics
• Automated and Cooperative Vehicles
• +3 more

Tom P.J. van der Sande is a University Lecturer at Eindhoven University of Technology, affiliated with the Department of Dynamics and Control within the Mechanical Engineering School, and part of EAISI Mobility. His expertise focuses on control systems for automated and cooperative vehicles, safety concepts for autonomous systems, and vertical vehicle dynamics. He emphasizes practical implementation alongside theoretical research, particularly through real-world testing in automotive environments. Research interests include adaptive cruise control, platooning systems, suspension systems, and sensor fusion for vehicle behavior estimation. He has been involved in projects such as neural network-based occlusion handling and IMU-RADAR integration for vehicle motion estimation. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and industry innovation (SDG 9). He has received the AVEC '24 Best Paper Award for contributions to vehicle control research. His teaching responsibilities include courses on engineering design, road vehicle dynamics, and smart vehicles. Collaborations involve industrial partners for applied research in automotive systems.