Lionel Pochet is a Professor at the University of Namur, active in drug design, thrombosis research, and analytical chemistry. His work focuses on coagulation cascade inhibitors and fragment-based drug discovery. Namur Medicine & Drug Innovation Center Namur Thrombosis and Hemostasis Center Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences His research spans coumarin derivatives , FXIIa inhibition , and covalent probes for protein interactions. Recent projects include targeted covalent inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and lactate dehydrogenase. Key publications highlight pharmacological evaluation , mass spectrometry , and structural chemistry applications in drug discovery. Awards and grants are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Nadia Everaert is an associate professor at KU Leuven’s Department of Biosystems, affiliated with the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering and the Leuven One Health Institute. She leads the Nutrition and Animal-Microbiota EcoSystems (NAMES) Lab, focusing on microbiota-host interactions and gut health in poultry and pigs. Her research aims to improve animal resilience through nutritional manipulations. Education: BSc/MSc in Bioscience Engineering from KU Leuven (1999–2004), PhD in Avian Embryonic Development (2008). Postdoctoral work included molecular biology studies in France. She was a faculty member at Liège University (2013–2021) before returning to KU Leuven. Research Interests: Microbiota colonization, gut health, pre/probiotics, in vitro fermentation models, maternal programming, and sustainable livestock practices. The NAMES Lab investigates host-microbiota interactions to enhance animal performance and health via nutritional strategies. Recent projects include studies on earthworms in broiler diets, probiotics in piglets, and the impact of hatching methods on broiler gut health. Her work addresses antibiotic reduction and sustainable feed alternatives. Teaching: Courses on nutrition, animal welfare, poultry/pig farming, and functional biochemistry. Supervises PhD students and postdocs in her lab. Service: Member of the Animal Ethics Commission at KU Leuven and HUB-KAHO, Board Member of the Belgian WPSA, and expert for ANSES (France) on animal nutrition. Labs/Teams: NAMES Lab personnel include postdocs, PhD students, and lab technicians. Collaborations span institutions like INRAE (France) and Shandong Agricultural University (China).
Sophie de Buyl is an Associate Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), actively contributing to interdisciplinary research bridging theoretical physics and biological systems. She is affiliated with the Department of Bio-engineering Sciences and the VUB Data Lab, focusing on mathematical modeling of biological processes, synthetic biology, and biophysics. PhD in Theoretical Physics (2006, Université Libre de Bruxelles) Postdoctoral experience at IHES, UC Santa Barbara, Harvard University Her research spans cosmological singularities, gauge/gravity correspondence, and black hole entropy in her early career, evolving to integrate theoretical physics with experimental biology. Current projects include synthetic gene regulatory circuits, microbial community dynamics, and embryonic development precision. Key publication trends (2025–2019) reflect dual expertise in mathematical physics (Kac-Moody algebras, black holes) and biological systems (microbial ecology, synthetic biology, circadian clocks). Awards highlight early-career recognition by the Belgian Physics Society and Belspo. Supervised FWO PhD projects on dynamic pathway regulation and microbial systems Director of the Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels since 2020 Her work emphasizes data-driven discovery of general laws in biological systems, with collaborations spanning bioinformatics, microbiology, and computational modeling.
Aleksandra Walczak is a Researcher in the Physics department, focusing on interdisciplinary applications of physics to biological systems. Her work integrates computational and theoretical approaches to explore developmental processes. Research Interests: Aleksandra's research bridges biophysics, developmental biology, and computational modeling to study fundamental mechanisms in embryogenesis and information transmission in cellular systems. Publication Trends: Recent work (2024–2025) emphasizes quantitative approaches to cell fate decisions, neural induction, and biomechanics in early embryonic development, reflecting her interest in systems biology and theoretical biology. Current Collaborations: Collaborative efforts with colleagues like S. de Buyl, R. Bettoni, and G. Dupont highlight her network in biophysics and computational developmental biology.
Leo van Grunsven is a Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) where he serves as head of the Liver Cell Biology research group, a position he has held since 2009. His research is situated within the Basic (bio)medical sciences faculty, specifically in the Translational Liver Cell Biology department. With over 239 research outputs and 60 active projects, his work has significantly contributed to the understanding of liver biology and disease mechanisms. Dr. van Grunsven obtained his PhD in life sciences from the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon (France, 1996), following postdoctoral training at the NINDS/NIH (Bethesda, USA, '96-'98) and KU Leuven (Belgium, '98-'06). His laboratory specializes in studying molecular mechanisms driving liver homeostasis, fibrosis, and regeneration, with particular expertise in hepatic stellate cells and in vitro disease modeling. His research interests focus on understanding hepatic stellate cell biology and developing innovative in vitro models for chronic liver disease. His group was the first to identify autophagy, AGE- and Hippo-signaling as key mechanisms in hepatic stellate cell activation during liver fibrogenesis. They also established the first hepatocyte-injury dependent in vitro liver fibrosis model using organoid cultures of human hepatocytes and iPSC-derived hepatic stellate cells. Current research focuses on refining these models and investigating stress pathway regulation in liver cells during acute and chronic injury. Analysis of Dr. van Grunsven's recent publications reveals a strong focus on liver fibrosis mechanisms, with particular emphasis on hepatic stellate cell activation, liver organoid models, and the molecular pathways driving liver disease progression. His work bridges basic science with translational applications, developing novel in vitro models that better recapitulate human liver pathologies. Dr. van Grunsven actively supervises research, with 43 supervised works documented in his profile. He leads multiple significant research projects including B-LIVER 2.0 (Brussels Alliance for Liver Research & Valorization, 2025-2029), CATCH (CAR-T cell immunotherapy against chronic liver disease, 2024-2028), and 3D-CELLMAP (advanced imaging of cell interactions in tissues, 2024-2028). His laboratory, the Liver Cell Biology Laboratory, maintains active collaborations across multiple institutions and continues to advance the field of liver research through innovative approaches to modeling liver disease and identifying potential therapeutic targets.
Rossana Bettoni is a researcher at the Physics department of Vrije Universiteit Brussel, focusing on interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of physics and developmental biology. Her work applies computational and biophysical approaches to understand spatial precision and information transmission in embryonic cell specification. Research interests: Modeling ERK-signaling dynamics in ascidian embryogenesis Geometrical constraints on cell fate determination Information encoding mechanisms during early development Computational analysis of gene regulatory networks Her recent publications explore how physical geometry and biochemical gradients interact to control neural fate induction and cell division patterns in marine embryos.
Anfien Huyghebaert is a doctoral researcher at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , focused on human pluripotent stem cell research and its oncogenic implications. Her work bridges genetics and developmental biology, particularly examining chromosomal abnormalities and signaling pathways in stem cell differentiation. Academic Rank: Researcher Key Collaborators: Claudia Spits, Dieter Al Delbany, Neven Krivec Research Interests center on: Genetic mutations in cancer progression TGFβ signaling in embryonic development Role of aneuploidy in oncogenic transformation Stem cell-derived organoid models Chromosomal stability in long-term stem cell culture Recent Publications demonstrate expertise in: Using stem cells to model liver cancer Investigating how chromosomal losses affect neural development Linking aneuploidy to apoptotic pathways in embryos Identifying recurrent chromosomal abnormalities in stem cell lines Projects include the OZR4351 doctoral scholarship (2024–2025) under promotor Claudia Spits, aimed at studying aneuploidy's role in oncogenic transformation.
Nusa Krivec is a Scientific employee specializing in Basic (bio-) Medical Sciences and Genetics, Reproduction and Development at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium. Her research primarily focuses on stem cell biology, with expertise in stem cell in vitro culture, qPCR, immunostaining, and microscopy techniques. Her research interests span across multiple domains of stem cell biology: Pluripotent Stem Cells and their applications in regenerative medicine Human Embryonic Stem Cells and their differentiation processes Germ Layer formation and development Endoderm differentiation and related pathways Genetic Background effects on stem cell behavior Chromosomes and in vitro techniques in stem cell research Nusa Krivec has been actively investigating how chromosomal abnormalities affect the growth and differentiation capacity of human pluripotent stem cells. Her work bridges basic stem cell biology with cancer research, examining how genetic instabilities in stem cells might contribute to tumorigenic potential. Recent publications demonstrate her expertise in modeling liver development and cancer using stem cell-derived organoids, as well as investigating the molecular mechanisms behind chromosomal abnormalities in stem cells. She has received recognition for her work with an h-index of 10, reflecting significant impact in her field. Her research has been cited multiple times, and her work has been featured across academic platforms and social media channels including X (Twitter), Bluesky, and news outlets, with substantial readership on academic networking sites like Mendeley. Nusa Krivec led the FWOTM1016 project from November 2020 to October 2024, titled 'The impact of recurrent chromosomal abnormalities on growth advantage and differentiation capacity of human pluripotent stem cells,' which investigated how specific chromosomal changes affect stem cell behavior. This project contributed significantly to understanding the relationship between genetic abnormalities in stem cells and their potential for cancer development.
Tom Adriaenssens is an External employee in the School of Clinical Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, affiliated with the Department of Genetics Reproduction and Development. His research focuses on oocyte competence , cumulus cell gene expression , and biomarker discovery for reproductive medicine. Keywords : Oocyte development, Biomarkers, In vitro fertilization, Bioinformatics Recent Publications : Explored non-invasive cumulus cell analysis for embryo selection (2024), FSH administration in low responders (2024), and heparin dosing in cardiogenic shock (2024). His work combines reproductive biology with computational methods , targeting clinical applications in fertility treatments and legal frameworks for embryo management. He has served as an invited speaker at international conferences and as an editorial board member for Human Reproduction. Current research includes bioinformatic modeling of cumulus cell pathways for clinical biomarkers and critical care pharmacology in cardiology.
Karen Sermon is a distinguished Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, specializing in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences. With over three decades of research activity documented since 1990, she leads multiple active research projects including FWOTM1228 on Hippo signaling in embryo development and HERC66 on 3D cellular imaging. Her work has resulted in an impressive 302 research outputs, 49 projects, and 58 h-index based on Scopus citations. Dr. Sermon's research focuses on human embryonic stem cells, preimplantation diagnosis, chromosomal abnormalities, and the genetic components of infertility. Her fingerprint reveals expertise in Preimplantation Diagnosis (100%), Human Embryonic Stem Cells (54%), and Embryonic Structures (28%). She has made significant contributions to understanding chromosomal abnormalities in early embryo development and their impact on differentiation potential. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications shows a consistent focus on chromosomal abnormalities in human pluripotent stem cells and early embryo development. Her research examines how specific chromosomal aberrations affect stem cell differentiation, particularly in neuroectoderm and retinal pigment epithelium lineages. Recent work also explores mitochondrial DNA variants in relation to assisted reproductive technologies and their impact on birth outcomes. Award-winning oral presentation (1998) Prize Dr. José Daels (2005) Serono Award (1989) Dr. Sermon has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students including Markouli, C. (2013), Duggal, G. (2015), Baldan, J. (2020), Segers, S. (2019), and Popovic, M. (2019). She currently serves as a supervisor for Marius Regin's PhD research on regulators of cell fate decisions. Her research is supported by multiple grants including FWOTM1228, HERC66, BASGO23, and OZRMETH9, totaling 49 projects with significant funding for fundamental research in reproductive genetics and embryology. She is actively involved in major collaborative research networks, particularly in the GRAD research group, and has established significant partnerships with researchers across Europe. Her laboratory work focuses on human pre-implantation embryo development, chromosomal abnormalities in cleavage-stage embryos, and the genetic components of infertility and early developmental failure.
Lynette Lim is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven , and head of the Laboratory for Interneuron Development (VIB-KU Leuven) . She is affiliated with the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain Research and the LBI - KU Leuven Brain Institute . Her research focuses on cortical interneuron development , neuronal migration , and gene regulatory mechanisms in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. She investigates metabolic states driving neuronal diversity and long-range inhibitory circuits in the brain. Recent publications highlight her work in single-cell transcriptomics (2025), evolutionary neuroscience (2025), and axonal targeting (2024). Her studies often bridge developmental biology and neurogenetics . She supervises PhD candidates such as Gonzalo Vicente Ortiz and collaborates on projects involving human neuronal evolution , autism gene regulation , and metabolic modulation in cortical circuits.
Claudia Spits is a Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, affiliated with the Department of Genetics Reproduction and Development within the Basic Biomedical Sciences school. Her research focuses on human embryonic stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, and their applications in reproductive biology and genetic disorders. She has led multiple projects, including studies on chromosomal abnormalities in stem cells and their implications for tumorigenesis and infertility. Her work integrates developmental biology, genetics, and clinical applications. Key projects include modeling myogenesis in stem cells and investigating mitochondrial DNA’s role in oocyte development. She has authored over 145 publications, with recent contributions addressing genetic variants in stem cells and aneuploidy’s oncogenic effects. Spits has supervised numerous PhD committees and contributes to interdisciplinary collaborations. Her research is supported by grants like the OZR Basisfinanciering voor Grote Onderzoeksgroepen (GRAD) and FWOAL-funded projects on stem cell tumorigenesis.
Diana Al Delbany is a postdoctoral researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel , specializing in Basic (bio-) Medical Sciences . Her work focuses on human embryonic stem cells and their genomic stability, with affiliations to research teams in Belgium.
Luc Brendonck is a full professor in the Department of Biology at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and the Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation unit. He is a member of the Leuven One Health Institute and holds leadership roles in various academic councils, including the Council of the Faculty of Science and the Department of Biology. His research focuses on freshwater ecosystems, particularly temporary aquatic systems, biodiversity conservation, ecotoxicology, and the impacts of environmental stressors like CO2 and pollutants. He leads projects such as 'DiSSCo Flanders 2.0' and 'TIME IN THE SPOTLIGHT', exploring biological rhythmicity in aquatic wildlife and temperature effects on ectothermic development. Recent publications highlight his work on pond restoration, mosquito behavior in predator-rich habitats, and the ecological risks of pharmaceuticals. His research integrates field studies with experimental approaches, addressing global challenges in conservation and public health. Key Projects (2021–2028): DiSSCo Flanders 2.0, TIME IN THE SPOTLIGHT, RETHINKING METACOMMUNITIES Advising: Supervises PhD students like Mudavanhu A. on snail-borne disease dynamics and One Health approaches. Grants: Coordinates funding for projects addressing water quality, temporary pond ecosystems, and vector-borne diseases. Teams: Active in the Leuven One Health Institute and interdisciplinary groups studying aquatic metacommunities and ecohydrology.
Professor Brigitte Malgrange is Research Director at the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS) and General Director of the GIGA Interdisciplinary Center for Biomedical Research at the University of Liège. She also serves as Vice-Director of GIGA-R and holds an appointment within the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, and the Neurology unit. Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Paris, 1989 European DEA in Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 1990 PhD in Experimental Biomedical Sciences, University of Liège, 1994 Research Interests: Professor Malgrange’s research is centered on developmental neurobiology and neuroscience , with particular emphasis on the inner ear and hearing loss . Her laboratory investigates mechanisms of cochlear hair cell regeneration , neuroprotection following stroke , and cell fate decisions during development. She employs stem cell models , nanomedicine-based drug delivery , and mouse genetics to translate fundamental discoveries into therapeutic strategies for sensorineural hearing loss and neurodegenerative diseases . Across her recent publications, a clear trend emerges toward nanomedicine approaches for sustained drug delivery to the inner ear, molecular regulation of cochlear cell fate , and epigenetic control of neural development . These studies collectively advance both basic understanding and translational applications in auditory neuroscience. Scientific Awards: Galien Prize (1996) Alverenga de Piauhy Prize (2004) Comte de Launoit Prize, Friends of ULiège (2005) Grant Leadership & Collaborations: Professor Malgrange coordinates major European initiatives, including the NANOEAR project funded under the EuroNanoMed3 Horizon 2020 program, uniting academic and industrial partners across France, Spain, Belgium, and Turkey to advance nanomedicine for hearing disorders. Laboratory & Platforms: She leads the Developmental Neurobiology Unit within GIGA-Neurosciences, leveraging access to cutting-edge core facilities such as Genomics , In vitro and In vivo Imaging , Viral Vectors and Gene Editing , and Animal Facilities (Mouse & Zebrafish), positioning her team at the forefront of biomedical innovation at the University of Liège.
