Irene Taurino is an Assistant Professor (tenure track) in the Faculty of Engineering Science at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT). She leads the Laboratory of Electrochemical Materials and Bio Interfaces (eMATI), focusing on nano- and microtechnologies for biomedical applications. Her work emphasizes developing advanced electrochemical systems for therapeutic and sensing purposes, including biodegradable platforms and stretchable substrates. Research Interests: Electrochemistry, Nanotechnology, (Bio)sensing, Drug delivery, Bimetals/Metal Oxides, and Smart materials. Projects include HumiPlast (plant transpiration sensors), QuantPAH (firefighter health monitoring), and TALENT (thin-film deposition technologies). She holds leadership roles in Leuven One Health, LIMNI, and the Plant Institute. Advising & Grants: Promotes/Co-promotes 10+ projects on biosensors, CO2 electroreduction, and smart farming. Key roles in funding initiatives like EU Horizon and industry partnerships. Labs/Teams: Heads eMATI, fostering interdisciplinary research in bioelectronics and soft materials. Emphasizes creativity and translational research from fundamental science to practical applications.
Wim Gevers is a faculty member at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and leads the CS4S – Cognitive Control & Sleep laboratory within the CRCN research centre. His work bridges cognitive psychology, neuroscience and sleep research to understand how the brain exerts control over thoughts and actions and how sleep contributes to these processes. Research Interests Cognitive Control & Metacognition: Investigating how subjective experiences such as confidence and the "urge-to-err" guide strategic adjustments in behaviour. Working Memory & Ordinal Cognition: Examining how order information is maintained and manipulated, and how these processes relate to mathematical competence. Sleep, Memory & Decision Making: Exploring how sleep-dependent consolidation influences motor learning and decision strategies. Across his 2022–2025 publications a clear trend emerges: a focus on metacognitive monitoring —how humans evaluate their own cognitive states—and the role of emotional and temporal context in shaping those evaluations. Studies range from reaction-time introspection and confidence judgements in perceptual tasks to the impact of aging and depression on metacognitive accuracy. Doctoral Supervision & Mentoring Whitney Stee (PhD 2024) – Sleep-dependent structural brain reorganization & motor learning Gaia Corlazzoli (PhD 2024) – Subjective experience in decision-making Myrtille Dewulf (PhD 2023) – Ordinal coding mechanisms in working memory Rebeca Sifuentes-Ortega (PhD 2023) – REM sleep and memory reactivation All dissertations were defended at ULB, Faculté des Sciences psychologiques et de l’éducation, with Wim Gevers formally listed as Promotor . Laboratory & Collaborative Networks As head of CS4S, Gevers coordinates a multidisciplinary team that combines behavioural experimentation, EEG/MEG, computational modelling and sleep polysomnography. The lab is embedded in the larger CRCN ecosystem, fostering collaborations with groups such as CO3 (consciousness), LCLD (language & deafness), and UR2NF (neurofunctional imaging).
Matthew B. Blaschko is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at KU Leuven, Belgium. He serves as director of the KU Leuven ELLIS unit and is a fellow in the ELLIS Health program. He is a Core PI in the Flanders AI Research Program, working as a workpackage lead for Decision Support Systems and Medical Imaging. Blaschko is also a member of the KU Leuven Institute for Artificial Intelligence and one of the leaders of the working group on Machine Learning and Data Science. Professor Blaschko received his B.S. from Columbia University, M.S. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Dr. rer. nat. from Technische Universität Berlin (awarded for work at Max Planck Institutes Tübingen). He was a Newton International Fellow at the University of Oxford and received his Habilitation (HDR) from École Normale Supérieure de Cachan. Prior to joining KU Leuven, he was a Permanent Research Scientist in the INRIA Saclay Research Center and a Faculty Member at Ecole Centrale Paris. His research focuses on machine learning techniques applied to visual data, with particular emphasis on calibration in deep learning, medical image analysis, and federated learning. Blaschko's work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, as evidenced by technology developed in his research being incorporated into MONA, software for ophthalmic image analysis. His research group has made significant contributions to the fields of model calibration, uncertainty estimation, and medical imaging analysis, with recent publications showing strong trends toward improving reliability of AI systems in medical contexts and advancing theoretical understanding of calibration metrics. Professor Blaschko has been recognized with several awards including the Université Paris-Saclay STIC Doctoral School Best Scientific Contribution Award, Best Paper Award at CVPR 2008, Main Award at DAGM 2008, and Best Student Paper Award at ECCV 2008. Professor Blaschko has supervised numerous PhD and Master's students, with current and former students including Deniz Soysal, Claire Marchal, Dongli Xu, Sebastian Gruber, Jiameng Li, Marco Mezzina, and many others working on diverse topics from Alzheimer's disease analysis to surgical phase recognition. His research has been supported by various funding sources including the Flanders AI Research Program. He has co-organized several influential workshops including the "Another Brick in the AI Wall: Building Practical Solutions from Theoretical Foundations" at CVPR 2025, Commands 4 Autonomous Vehicles workshop at ECCV 2020, and the Learning from Limited Labeled Data workshop series at NIPS 2017 and ICLR 2019. His laboratory focuses on machine learning for medical image analysis, with applications in ophthalmology, neurology, and surgical robotics. The group maintains active collaborations with medical institutions and participates in international challenges such as the KNee OsteoArthritis Prediction (KNOAP2020) challenge.
Geert Deconinck is a full professor at KU Leuven , leading the Electrical Energy Systems and Applications (ELECTA) research group within the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT). He also serves as scientific leader of the EnergyVille research center's algorithms domain, focusing on smart electrical networks and thermal systems. M.Sc. and Ph.D. from KU Leuven Head of ELECTA since 2012 (10 professors, 8 postdocs, 70+ PhDs) Over 8 million EUR research budget in last 5 years 44 completed PhDs and 10 current advisees IEEE Transactions editorial board member His research spans smart grid architectures , distributed control , and cyber-physical security , with recent focus on EV-grid integration , renewable energy democratization , and multi-carrier energy systems . Current projects include: Smart Charging - E-Mobility meets Renewable Energy Early Detection and Defense Systems for Smart Grids Open-source P2P energy sharing platforms Microgrid control strategies for PV-battery systems Awarded IET Fellow and IEEE Senior Member status, his work combines machine learning with power systems engineering through both theoretical modeling and experimental validation . He has contributed over 575 publications with 9800+ Google Scholar citations.
Daan Christiaens is a tenure track lecturer at KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering Sciences. He is affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) and Department of Imaging & Pathology, serving as a member of the Medical Imaging Division and the KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI). His academic responsibilities include membership in the Faculty Councils of Engineering Sciences and Medicine. His research focuses on: Inverse problems in medical imaging reconstruction Neuroimaging techniques for brain analysis Advanced quantitative MRI methodologies Diffusion-weighted imaging for microstructural assessment Dr. Christiaens' recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a consistent focus on diffusion MRI innovations, including novel reconstruction algorithms, neonatal brain development mapping, and clinical applications for neurodegenerative disorders. Key technical themes include motion correction, multi-shell modeling, and AI-enhanced image processing, while clinical applications span Alzheimer's disease, cerebral palsy, and autism research. He leads significant research projects including: MRI reconstruction with dynamic field monitoring (2024-2028) Compressed sensing for microstructure imaging (2022-2026) Neonatal diffusion MRI network connectivity analysis (2024-2028) As a core developer of the MRtrix3 software framework for medical image processing, he contributes to essential tools in neuroimaging research.
Koenraad Muylaert is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Science, KU Leuven, and head of the Biology department at KU Leuven Kulak. His research focuses on microalgae ecology and phytoplankton physiology , with applications in eutrophication studies , wastewater treatment , and biofuel production . Based in Kortrijk, Belgium, he works with international teams in Ecuador, Qatar, and Belgium. Current projects on mountain lake eutrophication and urban aquatic systems Specializes in nano-material flocculation and omega-3 fatty acid production from microalgae Research Trends from his recent articles show emphasis on: Microalgae harvesting innovations (cellulose nanocrystals, PDMAEMA polymers) Comparative processing techniques (DAF vs sedimentation, drying methods) Biotechnological applications in flavor chemistry and microbiome interactions Laboratory operates at KU Leuven's Kortrijk campus, with strong collaborations in environmental engineering and food science . His work bridges fundamental ecological research with industrial biotechnology for sustainable solutions.
Luc Sels has served as Rector of KU Leuven since August 1, 2017, and was re-elected for a second four-year term in May 2021. He is a full professor in the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), where he joined in 1996, became full professor in 2004, and served as Dean from 2008 to 2017. He concurrently holds an honorary professorship at Cardiff University and advisory roles at Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, National University of Singapore, and Korea University. His research centers on labour market projections (employment, skill levels, regional forecasts), active labour market policies, and cooperative entrepreneurship. As Chairholder of the Randstand Chair on Employer Branding, VBO-FEB Chair on Belgian Business Champions, and CERA-Boerenbond Chair on Cooperative Entrepreneurship, he publishes in top journals including Journal of Management and Harvard Business Review. His work bridges academic research and policy impact through the Centre of Expertise in Labour Market Monitoring. Analysis of Sels' 2021-2025 publications reveals two dominant research streams: human resource management (particularly employer branding mechanics and line manager roles in training effectiveness) and cooperative enterprise dynamics (focusing on social capital in agri-food cooperatives). Methodological innovations in survival analysis for organizational research complement these themes, demonstrating interdisciplinary rigor across management, economics, and policy domains. Scientific Awards: No specific prizes, fellowships, or medals are mentioned in the source text. Sels actively supervises doctoral research, including S. Friedel's work on agri-food cooperative legitimacy, A. Billiet's study of member 'voice' mechanisms, K.G. Tamayo's analysis of line manager HRM involvement in Philippine call centers, and S. Ghielen's employer branding equity research. His current funded projects include Intercooperation (2024-2028) examining cross-cooperative legitimacy, Centre of Expertise for Labour Market Monitoring (2021-2025), and Relationships Matter (2019-2024) investigating social capital in agricultural cooperatives. He conducts research through KU Leuven's Department of Work and Organisation Studies and Leuven Economics of Education Research Centre (LEER), while directing the Centre of Expertise in Labour Market Monitoring for Flemish government policy advising. His cooperative entrepreneurship work operates through the CERA-Boerenbond Chair, integrating academic research with industry partnerships.
Véronique Hoste is Senior Full Professor of Computational Linguistics at Ghent University's Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, where she serves as Department Head of Translation, Interpreting and Communication and Director of the LT3 language technology research team. She also holds the position of Research Director for the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy. Her educational background includes a PhD in Computational Linguistics from the University of Antwerp (2005) focused on optimization in machine learning for coreference resolution. Key research areas encompass machine learning for natural language processing, semantic and discourse modeling, including specialized work in event detection, entity/event coreference resolution, irony detection, and emotion analysis. Hoste's publication trends reveal strong interdisciplinary focus, with recent work bridging NLP with crisis communication, digital humanities, and ethical AI. Her team develops high-quality datasets (e.g., EmoTwiCS for emotion trajectories) and collaborates extensively with commercial partners on projects like SentEMO for aspect-based sentiment analysis. Current research emphasizes multimodal emotion analysis, fuzzy rough set methods for sentiment detection, and cross-document event coreference. Elected member of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts (KVAB) Francqui Chair appointment by Université Libre de Bruxelles (2023-2024) Co-founded LT3 spin-off AlfaSent (2024) for customer feedback analysis Authored first Dutch-language book on NLP: "Taaltechnologie ontrafeld" She actively supervises multiple PhD students on projects including Common-sense knowledge in irony detection (Common-sense), cross-document event coreference (Encore), and empathy modeling in conversational agents (FlandersAI). Her team secures funding through interdisciplinary collaborations like NewsDNA for news recommendation and METRICS for emotion trajectory analysis. Hoste also engages in public outreach through the "AI at school" initiative and advises on language technology integration in high school curricula. The LT3 laboratory under her leadership maintains strong industry partnerships and develops practical NLP tools including EmotioNL and Automatic Term Extraction systems, while advancing core research through projects like CLARIAH-VL for data curation.
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.
Peter Karsmakers serves as Associate Professor at KU Leuven's Department of Computer Science within the Faculty of Engineering Technology, based at the Geel Campus. He coordinates the Declarative Languages and Artificial Intelligence (DTAI) research group and holds leadership roles including coordinator of Research and Education for Computer Science across Geel and Diepenbeek Campuses. Karsmakers earned his PhD in Engineering Science in May 2010, focusing on kernel-based learning algorithms for sparse modeling and efficient predictions from large datasets. His doctoral work established foundations for his current research trajectory in resource-constrained machine learning systems. His research integrates machine learning with signal processing for real-time sensor data interpretation, specializing in anomaly detection from acoustic, radar, and accelerometer signals on embedded devices. Current projects address industrial condition monitoring, elderly care systems, and livestock facility monitoring through three main tracks: acoustic monitoring (e.g., SINS, WATCHDOG), radar-based systems (e.g., FARADAY, NextPerception), and smart electronics for power converters. Recent publications demonstrate strong trends in constraint-guided deep learning architectures for industrial applications, cross-environment robustness in sensor systems, and domain-knowledge integration to reduce data requirements. His work consistently bridges theoretical machine learning with practical implementations in resource-constrained environments. No scientific awards or fellowships were mentioned in the provided materials. Karsmakers supervises over 10 master's theses annually and coordinates a research team of 10 PhD students and a post-doc within DTAI-ADVISE. He has secured approximately 2.3 million euros in funding through VLAIO, EU-ECSEL, and bilateral industry contracts, including 10 active projects such as AutoEdgeML (2024-2028) and Fault Tolerant Neural Networks for Space Applications (2024-2027). He leads the DTAI-ADVISE research group focused on developing software that attaches semantics to sensor data on resource-constrained devices. The team operates across multiple campuses with specialized labs for acoustic monitoring (Geel), radar-based systems (in collaboration with ESAT-TELEMIC), and smart electronics (with Electrical Engineering department), maintaining strong industry partnerships with companies in healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors.
Maarten De Vos is a Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) , KU Leuven , with dual appointments in the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering Science . He leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biomedical signal processing.
Karel Van Acker is a full professor in the Faculty of Engineering Science at KU Leuven , leading the Sustainable Materials Processing and Recycling (SeMPeR) research group. His work focuses on integrating environmental and economic sustainability assessments, particularly for metallurgical residues and circular economy systems. Head of SeMPeR group Contact person for SeMPeR at Arenberg campus Head of Subdivision 39, Brussels Campus Research areas include: Circular Economy: Monitoring systems, stock-flow models, and business models Sustainability Assessments: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), techno-economic analysis, carbon footprinting Resource Valorization: Steel slag mineral carbonation, rare earth reduction, biorefinery processes Key article trends: 2025 works emphasize steel slag carbonation for carbon capture, hydrogen storage technologies, and clothing sufficiency as circular economy strategies 2024 research explores car mobility circularity , AI environmental impacts , and policy integration for circular economy monitors Earlier works (2023-2020) address textile recycling , biomass to biofuels , and landfill mining using system dynamics Teaching responsibilities: Sustainable Materials Management (H00R6A) Environmental Impact Analysis (I0V86A) Material Selection & Sustainability (D0X32A) Global Challenges for Sustainable Society (H0O00A)
Elfi Baillien is a Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, KU Leuven, and a member of the Research Unit Work and Organisation Studies. She is also affiliated with DigiSoc – KU Leuven Institute for Digital Society and serves on the Faculty Council and Doctoral Committee of Economics and Business Administration. Her research centers on the psychosocial well-being of employees, with a strong focus on workplace bullying, digital disconnection, and the impact of ICT use on stress and performance. She leads and co-promotes multiple national and international research projects exploring aggression, telework, and digital well-being. Research Interests: Psychosocial well-being at work Workplace bullying and harassment Digital disconnection and technostress Self-determination theory in organizational contexts ICT use and employee health She has published extensively in top-tier journals such as Work & Stress , European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology , and Behavioral Sciences , with a focus on hybrid work, burnout, and co-worker responses to mistreatment. While no specific awards are listed, her leadership in multiple high-impact projects and editorial contributions reflect significant academic recognition. She teaches courses including Group Dynamics, Multi-actor Collaboration, and Mental and Digital Well-Being, and supervises doctoral students in organizational psychology and workplace behavior.
Tegoeh Tjahjowidodo is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering Sciences , KU Leuven , affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Manufacturing Processes and Systems (MaPS) unit at Campus De Nayer. He serves as Head of Education for Electromechanics programs and leads Subdivision 17 at the campus. Research Areas: Additive Manufacturing (Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing), Process Monitoring, Control Systems, Laser Micromanufacturing, Wear Analysis, Robotics, and Condition Monitoring. Publication Trends: Focus on in-situ monitoring of laser micromanufacturing, machine learning for abrasive belt grinding, WAAM parameter optimization , and multi-sensor fusion for process control. Scientific Contributions: Co-promotor for MultiTRIBO (tribology), Promotor for WAAM structural integrity and pedicle screw surgical simulators . Active in international collaborations (e.g., 25th International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication, Spain 2024).
Heidi Ottevaere is a Professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) since October 1, 2009. She serves as the head of the Instrumentation and Metrology platform at the Photonics Innovation Center and leads the 'biophotonics' research unit of the Brussels Photonics Team (B-PHOT), which is chaired by Prof. Hugo Thienpont. Her work focuses on the design, fabrication, and characterization of photonic components and systems for diverse applications in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial processes. Dr. Ottevaere earned her Electrotechnical Engineering degree with majors in Photonics from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 1997 and completed her PhD in Applied Sciences at the same institution in 2003. Her doctoral research focused on 'Refractive microlenses and micro-optical structures for multi-parameter sensing: a touch of micro-photonics.' Professor Ottevaere's research spans multiple cutting-edge areas of photonics with particular emphasis on biophotonics, micro-optics, and optical metrology . Her work bridges fundamental science with practical applications, developing novel photonic components and systems that address real-world challenges. She has pioneered research in miniaturized optical systems for medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial applications. Her current research focuses on advancing lab-on-a-chip technologies, microfluidic optical sensors, and novel optical fiber systems for biomedical applications. She has developed microminiaturized, integrated plastic detection units for absorbance and laser-induced fluorescence measurements in microfluidic channels, enabling portable, robust, and disposable diagnostic systems. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrated optical sensing systems with applications in medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. There's a clear progression from fundamental optical component design to complete system integration, with increasing emphasis on artificial intelligence for data analysis and computational imaging techniques. Her work bridges photonics with biomedical engineering, materials science, and data science, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern photonics research. Dr. Ottevaere has been recognized with several prestigious awards: Best Application award (2008) Educational award - Bronze (2019) MOC09 Contribution Award Winners (2009) As an educator and mentor, Professor Ottevaere has promoted 9 PhD students and supervised numerous master's theses. She has secured substantial research funding from diverse sources including the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO), the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT), and multiple European Framework Programs. Her current portfolio includes projects on miniaturized biosensors for drinking water screening, precision manufacturing, and photonics education initiatives in Uzbekistan. She has coordinated multiple strategic research and networking projects with regional, national, and international funding bodies. Professor Ottevaere leads the biophotonics research unit within the Brussels Photonics Team (B-PHOT), one of Europe's leading photonics research groups. Her team includes researchers working on optical metrology, micro-optics fabrication, and biophotonic applications. She collaborates extensively with industry partners including Melexis, Umicore, and Anteryon, as well as academic institutions across Europe through various EU-funded projects. She has been instrumental in developing the interuniversity engineering curriculum 'Master in Photonics' which received the EC Erasmus Mundus quality label in 2006, and continues to be the driving force behind photonics education at VUB.
