Coen H.H.M. Custers is a Researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with the Department of Electromechanics and Power Electronics within the College of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. His work focuses on electromechanical systems, magnetic materials, and actuator design, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable energy and industrial innovation. Education: MSc and PhD in Electrical Engineering from TU Eindhoven. His research emphasizes advanced modeling techniques such as harmonic analysis and finite element methods, particularly in segmented structures and solid-state transformers. He has collaborated on projects like the Impuls II Long Stroke synchronous reluctance actuator (2016–2022) and the Nanometer-accurate planar actuation system (2015–2019), both as a project member. Research interests include improving precision in planar motor systems, reducing eddy currents in conducting structures, and advancing solid-state transformer technology. His publications highlight contributions to control systems, magnetic levitation, and semi-analytical modeling approaches. He has advised M. Kleijer on a conference contribution. His work has been recognized by 61 total citations (Scopus) and he is active in the Electromechanics Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary projects involving electromagnetic design and mechanical deformation.
Prof. Suzanne J.M.H. Hulscher is a Full Professor in Water Systems at the University of Twente, specializing in fluvial and coastal morphodynamics. Her research focuses on flood risk management, sediment dynamics, and climate adaptation. She has contributed to over 845 publications and supervised 55 research projects, including Vera van Bergeijk's PhD work on overtopping flows. Key achievements include the Simon Stevin Meester award (2016) and multiple best paper awards. Her work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals through studies on saltwater intrusion, dike breach modeling, and nature-based solutions. Research highlights include hydraulic model calibration, estuarine sand wave dynamics, and vegetation effects on hydrodynamics. She actively contributes to editorial roles (CivilEng Journal) and policy advisory bodies (Wetenschappelijke Raad). Her interdisciplinary efforts bridge engineering, ecology, and climate science. Research areas: Coastal morphology, river dynamics, environmental hydraulics Key collaborations: 4TU.Centre for Research Data, IAHR, Netherlands Academy of Engineering Grants: Not explicitly listed, but extensive publications imply significant funding Her lab focuses on combining field data with numerical modeling for real-world applications like flood dashboard development and machine learning-based prediction systems. Current projects explore climate change impacts on engineered estuaries and distributive justice in climate policy.
Stan F.S.P. Looijmans is an Assistant Professor at the Processing and Performance of Materials group within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His research focuses on bridging the gap between processing-induced structure formation and mechanical properties in semi-crystalline polymers, with a particular emphasis on advanced characterization techniques and multiscale modeling. Academic Background : BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering (TU/e), PhD in 2023 on adhesion-modified polypropylene composites Research Tools : Synchrotron X-ray/infrared radiation, microscale mechanical testing, numerical simulations His work explores key areas such as: Crystallization in additive manufacturing Structure formation under extreme conditions Micromechanical testing of composites Contact mechanics phenomena Local failure prediction in semi-crystalline systems Recent publications highlight his expertise in polymer crystallization kinetics, fiber-reinforced composites, and processing-structure-property relationships. Notably, his 2025 work on PLA stereocomplexation and PP/HDPE blends demonstrates innovative approaches to microstructure engineering. He contributes to education through courses in mechanical characterization of materials and soft materials processing.
Melvin Wong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Transportation within the Built Environment school at Eindhoven University of Technology. His research focuses on transportation engineering, machine learning applications in urban mobility, reinforcement learning for traffic systems, and sustainable transportation solutions. He utilizes advanced computational methods including graph neural networks, generative AI, and physics-informed models to address challenges in traffic prediction, electric vehicle infrastructure, and urban design. His research interests encompass transportation optimization, spatiotemporal modeling, generative design methods, and behavioral analysis in urban systems. Recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on AI-driven solutions for traffic management, battery-swapping systems, and multimodal design optimization. Dr. Wong has received recognition including the Best Research Paper Award (2024) and Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship (2020). He contributes to academic activities through conference presentations, peer reviews, and course development in urban mobility and big data analytics.
Prof. Arian van Asten is a Professor at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science and a leading researcher at the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences. His work focuses on forensic analytical chemistry, with expertise in explosives, illicit drugs, and chemical warfare agents. He employs advanced techniques such as mass spectrometry, chromatography, and chemometrics to develop robust forensic methodologies. Fields of Interest: Forensic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Chemometrics, Explosives Analysis, Drug Detection Contact: A.C.vanAsten@uva.nl His recent research highlights innovations in on-site detection of narcotics using portable sensors, isomer differentiation for designer drugs, and elemental/isotopic profiling of explosives like PETN and potassium perchlorate. Publications emphasize applications of chemometrics to enhance forensic evidence reliability in cases involving cocaine, MDMA, and pyrotechnic residues. He also contributes to forensic science policy, advocating for technological integration in criminal justice systems. His laboratory develops novel methods for trace evidence analysis, including photoluminescent sensors for gunshot residue and wastewater-based drug consumption monitoring.
Martien Hulsen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering , Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) . His research focuses on Computational Rheology , with applications in Polymer Processing , Microfluidics , and Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) . Academic background: PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Delft University of Technology, 1988) Specializes in Numerical Methods for viscoelastic flow simulation Key applications: External Gear Pumps , Cell Sorting , and Micro-rheology Recent research trends: Interface Rheology , Particle Dynamics , and Thermal-Viscous Coupling His work has been published in top journals like Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics and Physics of Fluids . Martien serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics. Contact: m.a.hulsen@tue.nl
Irina Stipanovic is an Assistant Professor specializing in Market Dynamics, focusing on infrastructure maintenance, climate change adaptation, and railway systems. Her research integrates advanced technologies like Digital Twins and machine learning to enhance decision-making in civil engineering contexts. Her work addresses critical challenges in infrastructure management, including risk-based maintenance scheduling, structural health monitoring, and flood resilience. She explores innovative methods such as entity-embedding neural networks and vision-based 3D inspections to improve predictive maintenance and asset lifecycle management. Key themes in her research include: Railway earthwork maintenance under climate change Multi-objective decision models for infrastructure prioritization Integration of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) into Digital Twin platforms Resilience planning for critical infrastructure against floods and other hazards She has contributed to EU initiatives on standardization of Digital Twin applications and has published extensively on railway, tunnel, and bridge management. Her work emphasizes data-driven approaches to sustainable infrastructure solutions.
Matthijn B. de Rooij is a Full Professor of Surface Technology and Tribology at the University of Twente. His research focuses on friction, surface engineering, and material interactions in mechanical systems. His work examines surface topography evolution, contact mechanics in rolling elements, rope mechanics, plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings, and tribological phenomena in manufacturing processes like aluminum sheet forming. He develops novel testing methodologies and computational models for friction analysis. He has received the Corus Research Award (2000) and a 3rd Best Presentation Award (2024). His research contributes to sustainable development goals through improved material durability and manufacturing efficiency.
Prof. Gareth Davies holds the position of Full Professor within the Faculty of Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, contributing to interdisciplinary research through the Kooijmans Institute for Law and Governance and the Amsterdam Law and Technology Institute. His academic career includes prior roles as a University Lecturer at the University of Groningen (2000–2007) and an Emile Noel Fellow at New York University Law School (2006). He also served as a Fernand Braudel Senior Fellow at the European University Institute (EUI) in 2014. Davies is a co-author of the influential textbook EU Law (5th ed., 2024) and an editor of European Papers since 2019. His research focuses on the intersection of law and society, particularly European integration, EU constitutional law, free movement of goods/services, and migration law. He explores the boundaries of legal frameworks in technology and climate policy, including geoengineering governance and the ethical dimensions of digital markets. Key projects include a VIDI grant-funded analysis of PPM regulation (2010–2015) and co-leadership of the Norface-funded TransJudFare project on welfare policies (2014–2017). His work emphasizes empirical legal studies, examining how law interacts with morality, politics, and societal challenges like climate change. Prof. Davies teaches courses such as EU Internal Market Law, EU Anti-Discrimination Law, and Technology Law. He actively collaborates with academic and non-academic partners through initiatives like the Migration Law Clinic and interdisciplinary research hubs like the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute. Despite no explicit mention of awards, his contributions to EU legal scholarship and intergovernmental policy analysis are widely recognized in academic circles. His research environment integrates legal and empirical methods, fostering a new generation of ELS researchers through programs like the Research Track. He advises PhD candidates on external theses in his areas of expertise and participates in ancillary activities to bridge legal education with real-world societal issues.
Roles and Affiliations : Sjoerd W. Rienstra is a Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with the Department of Aerospace Engineering and the CEAS-ASC (Centre for Aeroacoustics and Acoustics). His work focuses on aeroacoustics, duct acoustics, and fluid dynamics. Research Interests : His research spans analytical and numerical methods in aeroacoustics, including duct mode analysis, shear flow effects, acoustic liners, and noise control. He has contributed to understanding sound propagation in complex geometries and boundary layer interactions. His work also extends to interdisciplinary areas like climate science (ice-shelf melt dynamics). Publications and Trends : Rienstra's recent work emphasizes computational methods, asymptotic solutions, and experimental validations. He has authored/co-authored over 100 publications, including influential papers on Pridmore-Brown modes, duct acoustics, and fluid dynamics. His contributions to the Journal of Sound and Vibration and Applied Mathematical Modelling highlight his expertise in wave propagation and numerical techniques. Labs and Teams : Collaborations include the CEAS-ASC, where he leads research on aeroacoustic modeling and noise reduction in aerospace systems.
Mark Bakker is a Professor in the Water Management Department within the Civil Engineering and Geosciences faculty at Delft University of Technology. He obtained his engineering degree from the Civil Engineering Department in Delft in 1989 and his Ph.D. from the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Minnesota in 1994. His research focuses on advanced groundwater modeling techniques and hydrological processes. His research interests include modeling groundwater dynamics with impulse response functions, analytic element modeling of multi-aquifer flow, seawater intrusion modeling, analytic element modeling of unsaturated flow, groundwater whirls, and transient groundwater flow in aquifers with periodic boundary conditions. He has developed computational tools like TimML for analytic computation of heads and velocities in aquifer systems. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on practical applications of groundwater modeling, including arsenic removal systems in Bangladesh, coastal aquifer management, and innovative measurement techniques using fiber optic cables. His work bridges theoretical hydrogeology with real-world water management challenges, particularly in developing regions and coastal environments. Groundwater modeling techniques Seawater intrusion processes Analytic element method applications Time series analysis for aquifer characterization Multi-aquifer system dynamics Unsaturated zone hydrology Professor Bakker has made significant contributions to groundwater science through both theoretical developments and practical applications, with his work appearing in leading journals such as Water Resources Research, Ground Water, and Advances in Water Resources. His research has important implications for water resource management in coastal regions and developing countries.
Rafid Al-Khoury is a Senior Researcher at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology. His work focuses on computational poromechanics, geothermal systems, and CO2 geosequestration, utilizing advanced finite element and spectral methods. He leads the Computational Mechanics chair within the Applied Mechanics section. Education: Ph.D. (Cum Laude) in Computational Mechanics, M.Sc. (Distinction) in Civil Engineering, and B.Sc. in Civil Engineering. Research: Specializes in mesh-independent finite element schemes, inverse problems, and spectral analysis for geothermal and CO2 storage applications. His publications address transient heat flow, fracturing porous media, and energy pile dynamics. Key contributions include books on Computational Modeling of Shallow Geothermal Systems (2012) and Computational Models for CO2 Geo-sequestration & Compressed Air Energy Storage (2014). He has chaired program committees for major conferences like InterPore.
Dr. João P. Trabucho Alexandre is a tenured Assistant Professor in Sedimentology at Utrecht University's Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences. A Dutch-Portuguese sedimentary geologist, he has been with the university since 2014. He serves as Treasurer and Council Member of the International Association of Sedimentologists, Associate Editor of the Journal of Sedimentary Research, and Netherlands Ambassador for SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology. His work focuses on understanding mudstone formation processes throughout Earth's history. His educational background includes: PhD (cum laude, 2011) - Utrecht University: "Mesozoic sedimentation in the North Atlantic and Western Tethys; global forcing mechanisms and local sedimentary processes" MS with distinction (2007) - Utrecht University: "Climatic origin of sedimentary color cycles in the Ain el Beida section (Atlantic Morocco)" BS/Licenciatura in Geology (2003) - Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal Erasmus Programme (2002) - University of Birmingham, UK Dr. Trabucho Alexandre specializes in sedimentology with research interests spanning black shales, mudstone deposition processes, marine geology, and paleoceanography . His work investigates how mudstones form throughout Earth's history, with particular focus on oceanic anoxic events, Mesozoic epeiric environments, and the geological record of the Pacific (Panthalassa). His recent projects examine Triassic-Jurassic boundary conditions in Western North America, Lower Jurassic sequences in Yorkshire, and uppermost Cretaceous formations in the Netherlands and Belgium. His interdisciplinary approach combines fieldwork, petrography, and geochemical analysis to unravel sedimentary processes from deep time. His publication record shows consistent growth in high-impact journals with increasing international collaborations. The research demonstrates expertise in Mesozoic sedimentary systems, particularly Jurassic oceanic anoxic events and black shale formations. Recent work shows expansion into applied sedimentology with connections to environmental science and resource exploration. His scientific recognition includes: Doctorate awarded cum laude at Utrecht University (2011) Durham University Learning and Teaching Award (2013) Advance HE Associate Fellow (formerly Higher Education Academy) As an educator, Dr. Trabucho Alexandre has over 10 years of teaching experience at undergraduate and graduate levels. He has successfully completed Utrecht University's Educational Leadership and Honors Teaching programs. His innovative teaching methods include field-based learning approaches, with documented fieldwork in Alaska, Nevada, and the Netherlands. He actively mentors students, as evidenced by multiple field expeditions with master's and PhD students. His ancillary activities include service as Treasurer of the International Association of Sedimentologists and Ambassador for SEPM in the Netherlands. His research is conducted through the Comparative Sedimentology Group at Utrecht University, where he collaborates with international teams on projects spanning multiple continents. Recent fieldwork has taken him to Alaska, Nevada, Yorkshire, and South Limburg, often with students. His work bridges traditional field geology with modern analytical techniques, contributing to both fundamental understanding of Earth's history and applied aspects of sedimentology.
S. Giovani Pereira Castro is a researcher at Clausthal University of Technology with expertise in aerospace engineering, specializing in crashworthiness design, lightweight structures, and semi-analytical modeling. His work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to engineering innovation and sustainable design. Doctorate (2014) - Clausthal University of Technology (summa cum laude) MSc (2009) - Aeronautics Institute of Technology BSc (2006) - University of São Paulo Research focuses on: Crashworthiness of composite and metallic structures Post-buckling optimization and analysis Hybrid-stress finite element formulations Mass minimization under manufacturing constraints Application to next-gen aircraft like the Flying-V 2025 publications highlight advancements in nonlinear deformation modeling , Bayesian meta-optimization for composite cylinders, and displacement-based formulations for aerospace applications. Collaborations include TU Delft, Zenodo, and industry partners like Embraer. Scientific recognition includes the von Kármán Award for International Cooperation in Aeronautics (2024). His datasets on Koiter's method and bird strike crashworthiness are publicly available, emphasizing open research practices.
Sophie van Vreeswijk is a researcher at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science within the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group. Her work focuses on advanced characterization of zeolite-based materials for catalytic applications, particularly in the methanol-to-hydrocarbons process and CO2 hydrogenation. Her research interests include Nanoscale imaging of catalyst heterogeneity Coke formation mechanisms Operando catalyst regeneration Zeolite structure analysis Multi-modal analytical techniques The 12 most recent publications (2020–2024) highlight trends in Zeolite characterization (Atom Probe Tomography, fluorescence microscopy) CO2 utilization and bifunctional catalysis Coke dynamics in methanol conversion In situ analysis of iron carbides Nanoscale chemical mapping Sustainable catalysis methods She has not received any publicized awards or grants. Her affiliations and lab work center on Utrecht University's Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, collaborating on zeolite-based catalysts and sustainable chemical processes.
