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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 .

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

Patrick Willems is a full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering. He serves as the head of the Hydraulics Subdivision within the Hydraulics and Geotechnics unit. Professor Willems holds multiple significant roles including chairman of the ADS Bureau, member of the Faculty Council of Engineering Sciences, and participant in the Leuven One Health Institute and KU Leuven Institute for Urban Studies (LUSI). His work addresses critical global water management challenges through advanced hydrological modeling and climate change adaptation strategies. Professor Willems' research spans several critical areas in water resources engineering. His primary expertise includes urban hydrology and river engineering, statistical hydrology with focus on flood prediction and risk analysis, integrated river basin management, precipitation analysis, and climate change impacts on hydrological extremes. He employs both traditional hydrological modeling approaches and innovative machine learning techniques to develop practical solutions for flood warning systems, urban water management, and climate adaptation planning. His research integrates statistical methods, numerical modeling, and data science to address complex water management problems across multiple geographical contexts. Professor Willems leads multiple major international research projects examining hydrological extremes in transboundary river basins, natural climate adaptation measures, hydrological modeling of peatland areas, and deep learning-based prediction of hydrological extremes. His work spans various geographical contexts including Belgium, Vietnam, Bolivia, Tanzania, and the Congo Basin, demonstrating both local relevance and global applicability of his research. Within KU Leuven, Professor Willems teaches diverse courses including Environmental Problems and Techniques, Statistics and Data Science, Stochastic Hydrology, Urban and River Hydrology and Hydraulics, River Modeling, and Probability and Statistics. He also leads the Hydraulic Engineering Project course and an Artificial Intelligence Project course, reflecting his commitment to integrating traditional engineering knowledge with modern computational approaches. As head of the Hydraulics Subdivision, he oversees research activities focused on developing advanced water engineering tools and methodologies that bridge theoretical advancements with practical applications for water management authorities.

• Hydrology
• River Engineering
• Flood Prediction
• +7 more

Yves Wautelet serves as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven, where he conducts research in conceptual modeling, business process management, and digital transformation. His work addresses critical challenges at the intersection of information systems engineering and business strategy, with particular focus on sustainability-driven modeling approaches and IT governance frameworks. His primary research interests include: Conceptual modeling methodologies and frameworks Business process management and information systems design Digital transformation strategies and implementation IT governance and business-IT alignment Sustainability-driven modeling for circular economy Agile software development practices and methods Requirements engineering with user stories Wautelet's recent publication record demonstrates significant scholarly productivity with numerous 2024-2025 publications spanning conceptual modeling frameworks for sustainability (Circulise), tools for identifying ambiguity in user stories (AmbiTRUS), and approaches to align strategic and operational agility. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications across diverse domains including healthcare, circular economy, software development, and organizational transformation. His research consistently applies model-driven approaches to solve complex real-world problems, often integrating sustainability considerations into information systems engineering. As a promotor and co-promotor, Wautelet currently supervises multiple doctoral research projects including: Automatic generation of conceptual models from textual descriptions (2024-2028) Sustainability-Driven Modeling Assistant for Twin Transition in Vietnam (2024-2028) Home Care Business Process Management using Distributed Ledger Technologies (2024-2028) Teaching Modeling Skills in BPMN formalism (2021-2025) His research is conducted through the Information Systems Engineering Research Group (LIRIS) at KU Leuven's Brussels campus, where he contributes to advancing model-driven approaches for addressing contemporary business and technological challenges.

• Conceptual Modeling
• Business Process Management
• Digital Transformation
• +5 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.

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

Hans Steenackers is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, where he leads the MICA Lab within the Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems. His research focuses on innovative antimicrobial strategies targeting microbial communities, including socio-active, anti-resistance, and observation-guided approaches. Key research areas include biofilm dynamics antimicrobial resistance evolution in situ microbial monitoring Salmonella Typhimurium pathogenesis anti-virulence therapies His recent publications highlight advancements in biofilm inhibition, triggered antimicrobial release systems, and evolutionary robustness of probiotics. The majority of his work involves interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly in projects like TARDIS, ULTiMatE-MS, and MICROTUNe, with a focus on translating fundamental research into clinical applications. As an educator, he teaches advanced courses in microbial physiology, biofilm research, and applied biotechnology. The MICA Lab actively partners with academic and industrial stakeholders in initiatives such as the Flemish Scientific Research Network on Biofilms and the Bioclean H2020 project.

• Antimicrobial Development
• Microbial Community Behavior
• Biofilm Research
• +5 more

Philip Dutré is a full professor at the Department of Computer Science , Faculty of Engineering Science , KU Leuven. He leads the Computer Graphics Research Group and chairs the Human-Computer Interaction division . His teaching portfolio includes courses on algorithms, data structures, and computer graphics fundamentals. Research Focus : Rendering algorithms, photo-realistic and image-based rendering, perceptual-based rendering, material models, and intuitive controls for computer animation. He explores deep learning applications in global illumination and uses quantum field theory for efficient light transport in participating media. Publications : Recent work includes advancements in temporal coherence for light transport (2017–2023), functional integrals for scattering models (2025), and optimization of spatial data structures (2019). Teaching Innovations : Advocate for ungrading (feedback-only assignments), flipped classroom techniques, and interactive learning. His approach emphasizes conceptual understanding over rote memorization, with structured, self-contained lessons and active student engagement. Leadership : Serves on multiple academic councils and committees including the Commission on Research Integrity and Student Services Council .

• Computer Graphics
• Rendering Algorithms
• Photo-realistic Rendering
• +9 more

Lorenz Demey is a Research Professor in Philosophical Logic at KU Leuven's Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science (CLPS), affiliated with the Institute of Philosophy. His work focuses on logical geometry, history of logic, epistemic logic, and modal logic. He holds advanced degrees in philosophy, logic, mathematics, and artificial intelligence from KU Leuven and Universiteit van Amsterdam. Demey's research explores Aristotelian diagrams, their cognitive and mathematical properties, and their historical applications. He has secured grants including an ERC Starting Grant, and his projects investigate topics like Kantian ethics modeling, Dutch vernacular logic, and the development of formal semantics. He actively collaborates internationally, delivering invited lectures at institutions like Xiamen University and Sun Yat-sen University. His teaching emphasizes logical theory and science communication. Notable publications include studies on dynamic epistemic logic, medieval logic diagrams, and the philosophical foundations of logical geometry. Key contributions include the Leonardi.DB ontology for Aristotelian diagrams and work on bitstring semantics for logical structures. Demey co-supervised PhD student Bart Nys and collaborates on projects like STUDIUM.AI, analyzing knowledge networks around Leuven's historical university. His work bridges historical scholarship with formal methods, contributing to both theoretical and applied research in logic and philosophy.

• Logical Geometry
• History of Logic
• Epistemic Logic
• +3 more

Michael Kleemann is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering Technology within KU Leuven , affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) . His research focuses on Power System Protection , Wireless Power Transfer , and Renewable Energy Integration , with a particular emphasis on inverter-based grid dynamics and fault analysis. Key Research Areas : Power system protection algorithms, capacitive wireless power transfer, fault location methods in medium voltage cables, and grid stability with high renewable penetration. Notable Projects : Lead projects on Protection of Future Distribution Grids (2021-2025), Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer (2020-2024), and Flux 50 ICON (2024-2026) for low-voltage DC grid protection. Publication Trends : Recent work explores capacitive wireless power transfer materials and control systems (2024-2025), fault detection algorithms for inverter-dominated grids (2023-2025), and machine learning applications in voltage regulation for photovoltaic-rich networks (2024). Teaching : Courses include Power System Protection (JPI322), Power Electronics (JPI0L8/JPI318), and Capacitive Wireless Transfer topics in graduate seminars.

• Power System Protection
• Power Electronics
• High Voltage Engineering
• +4 more

Professor Mieke Van Houtte, affiliated with the University of Ghent, is a leading scholar in educational sociology with a focus on gender dynamics , tracking systems , and student diversity . Her research spans secondary education , grade retention , and inclusive practices , often employing multilevel analysis to address Belgian educational challenges. PhD Promotions: Lennart Van Eycken (2024), Lorenz Dekeyser (2022), Timo Van Canegem (2022), Emma Degroote (2021) Key Collaborators: Jannick Demanet, Peter Stevens, Alexis Dewaele Her work explores gender role attitudes , school misconduct , and teachability perceptions , linking them to structural factors like school social composition and multilingualism . Recent articles emphasize mental health in gender-minority youth and preschool gender socialization . Prominent themes in her publications include academic achievement , tracking effects , and educational inequality . She has authored books like Sociologen over onderwijs and Zichtbaarheid- en discriminatiemanagement bij holebi-jongeren , and frequently contributes to journals such as American Educational Research Journal and European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry .

• Education
• Student Diversity
• Gender Studies
• +13 more

Jan Taeymans is a Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in the Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Department of Movement and Sport Sciences. His research focuses on musculoskeletal disorders, health economics, and systematic reviews. He has supervised multiple theses, including a doctoral thesis on long-term health-related fitness determinants and a master’s thesis on urinary incontinence costs. His recent work includes studies on pain-intensity correlations in low back pain patients, economic evaluations of lifestyle interventions, and hip instability analysis. He has received a national/international honor for contributions to academic pedagogy innovation. Research Interests: Taeymans’ research spans systematic reviews, meta-analyses, musculoskeletal health economics, and intervention efficacy. He explores topics like body composition in chronic pain, cost-benefit analyses for weight reduction therapies, and hip pathology mechanisms. Academic Contributions: With over 100 research outputs, Taeymans’ work bridges clinical practice and public health. His 2025 articles emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to chronic pain and obesity management. Recent projects include a lifestyle intervention study for low back pain sufferers and a menstrual cycle body composition analysis. Awards: National/international honour (2021) for advancing heutagogical teaching methods in academia. Collaborations & Grants: Taeymans advises on ethical reviews for clinical trials (e.g., GLA:D interventions, menstrual cycle studies) and co-leads health economic evaluations at Bern University of Applied Sciences. His grants fund studies on musculoskeletal conditions and lifestyle interventions. Labs/Teams: His work integrates with VUB’s Movement and Nutrition for Health and Performance team, focusing on translational research linking physical activity to musculoskeletal health outcomes.

• Systematic Reviews
• Meta-Analysis
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• +3 more

Dr. Boris Paschke serves as a Guest Associate Professor of New Testament at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit Leuven . Holding a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from ETF Leuven (2009), he has been actively engaged in theological education since 2001, teaching at ETF Leuven and in public secondary schools in Brussels. Ph.D. in New Testament Studies (ETF Leuven, 2009) Licentiaat in de godgeleerdheid (M.Th., ETF Leuven, 2004) M.A. in Biblical Studies (University of Gloucestershire, 2001) Paschke's research focuses on New Testament theology , apocryphal literature , and early Christian worship practices , particularly prayer to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. His work explores intertextuality (e.g., Song of Songs in Romans 3), historical contexts (Roman censorship, slavery), and theological intersections between Christianity and Islam. Recent publications highlight trends in liturgical theology (2024 analyses of 1 Timothy 1:12 and Peräa), prayer studies (2023 essays on Tertullian and 2 Timothy 1:18), and historical criticism (2016-2022 works on Semler, Acts of John, and Philemon). He participates in multiple academic societies, including the Society of Biblical Literature and the Association pour l’étude de la littérature apocryphe chrétienne , and has co-authored works on ancient speech impediments (2016, 2023).

• New Testament Studies
• Early Christian Theology
• Apocryphal Literature
• +4 more

Dr. Freija De Vleeschouwer is a postdoctoral researcher and teaching faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Brussels, Belgium. With an ORCID identifier 0000-0003-0563-1509, she has established herself as a prominent researcher in computational chemistry with 927 citations and a 15 h-index. Her academic journey includes multiple FWO postdoctoral fellowships and a Research Professor appointment in Basic, Nature & Applied Sciences (2020). Dr. De Vleeschouwer's research focuses on the application of computational quantum chemical methods to solve complex problems in molecular design and materials science. Her work spans several key areas including density functional theory, molecular reactivity, self-healing polymers, and nonlinear optical materials. She employs a multidisciplinary approach combining computational predictions, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental validation to advance understanding in these fields. Her recent research output demonstrates a strong trend toward computational-experimental integration, particularly in the development of self-healing polymer networks through Diels-Alder chemistry. She has also made significant contributions to understanding hexaphyrin compounds and their optical properties using explainable machine learning approaches. This work bridges traditional computational chemistry with modern data science techniques. Scientific Awards: FWO postdoctoral fellowship (2010) for molecular design using conceptual DFT FWO postdoctoral fellowship (2013) for inverse molecular design in radical chemistry Poster prize at the 15th International Congress of Quantum Chemistry (2015) Research Professor in Basic, Nature & Applied Sciences (0.1 ZAP) (2020) Dr. De Vleeschouwer actively supervises graduate students and has served on PhD committees. Her research is supported by multiple competitive grants including FWOTM and SRP projects. She organizes international conferences, including the 19th International Conference on Density Functional Theory and its Applications (2022), and participates in international collaborations such as research stays at Palacky University Olomouc. She leads several active research projects through 2026-2027, including FWOTM1148 on accelerating Diels-Alder kinetics in self-healing polymers and SRP73 on molecular and material property prediction using combined quantum chemical approaches.

• Computational Chemistry
• Density Functional Theory
• Quantum Chemistry
• +6 more

Margherita Fantoli is a tenure track lecturer at the Faculty of Arts at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Cultural Studies Research Group. She is an active member of multiple research institutes including DigiSoc – KU Leuven Institute for Digital Society and LECTIO – KU Leuven Institute for the Study of the Transmission of Texts, Ideas and Images in Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Her institutional involvement extends to the Faculty Council of Arts and the POC Digital Humanities. Dr. Fantoli's research spans Digital Humanities with a focus on historical linguistics, classical studies, and book history. Her work integrates computational methods with traditional humanities scholarship, particularly in analyzing ancient Greek and Latin texts, knowledge transmission networks, and multilingualism in historical contexts. She specializes in using digital tools to explore cultural transmission from antiquity through the Renaissance, with particular attention to network analysis of historical texts and academic communities. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward computational approaches to historical scholarship, particularly through the STUDIUM.AI project which maps knowledge networks around the premodern University of Leuven (1425-1797). Her work bridges classical philology with digital methods, examining topics such as canon formation in antiquity, multilingualism in early modern book catalogues, and the presence of classical texts in later periods. She frequently collaborates across disciplines, working with computer scientists, historians, and linguists. Dr. Fantoli serves as promoter or co-promoter on multiple significant research projects including CLARIAH-VL+ (toward the 'SSH Open Science Cloud' in Flanders), studies on the coherence of scientific language in ancient technical texts, and investigations into canon formation in Greco-Roman antiquity. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on data processing, linked data scholarship, and introduction to Digital Humanities, reflecting her commitment to training the next generation of digitally literate humanities scholars. She is actively involved with the Cultural Studies Research Group in Leuven, contributing to their mission of exploring cultural transmission across historical periods. Through her leadership in the STUDIUM.AI project and other digital initiatives, she helps build infrastructure for connecting historical knowledge networks and making premodern scholarship more accessible through digital means.

• Digital Humanities
• Historical Linguistics
• Classical Studies
• +7 more

Jan Van Bavel is a full professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, with a focus on demography, family dynamics, and climate change impacts. He is a member of LC&Y - KU Leuven Institute for Child and Youth and participates in councils like POC Sociology and POC Master Psychology. Research spans fertility trends, migration, poverty analysis, and adolescent decision-making Active promoter/co-promoter in 8 projects (2021–2028) on climate-family links, migrant deservingness, and wealth inequality Teaches courses on population studies, climate change, and societal transitions His recent work examines climate change's effect on fertility desires, adolescent loyalties, and immigrant integration frameworks, with articles in journals like Demographic Research and Socio-Economic Review . No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the provided data.

• Demography
• Sociology
• Family Dynamics
• +7 more

Alexis Housen is a Professor of Linguistics & Applied Linguistics at the LW Academic Unit Linguistics and Literary Studies within Vrije Universiteit Brussel . Their research focuses on second language acquisition, multilingualism, and psycholinguistics. Currently active in over 30 projects, including leadership roles in initiatives like the Eye-Catching project (2021-2024) and the International Francqui Professor program (2023-2025). Research Interests : Housen's work examines language acquisition processes, particularly in second language learning contexts. Key themes include lexis-grammar interfaces, salience effects in SLA, and the role of instruction in phonological acquisition. Their empirical studies integrate psycholinguistic methodologies with corpus-based analyses. Recent Contributions : Recent publications address salience's role in morphology acquisition, complexity metrics in L2 writing, and comparative proficiency analysis across oral/written modalities. Their work demonstrates interdisciplinary influence across linguistics, education, and cognitive science. Recognition : Awarded the European Second Language Association Fellowship (2000). Active in international collaborations, presenting at conferences like the European Second Language Association and Birkbeck College symposia. Grants & Leadership : Oversees €1.2M+ in active funding through projects like SRP-Groeifinanciering: Multilingual language control (2022-2027). Serves in leadership roles including Dean and Head of Research Groups.

• Linguistics
• Applied Linguistics
• Second Language Acquisition
• +7 more