Laura Vandenbosch is a Senior Lecturer at KU Leuven's Faculty of Social Sciences , actively leading the Lab for Media Psychology (OG) . She contributes to interdisciplinary research networks like DigiSoc , LC&Y , and Leuven One Health , with formal university affiliations confirmed through ORCID (0000-0001-6834-8386). Key research themes: digital media effects on adolescent mental health, body image, political identity, and social media literacy Current projects focus on topics like positive body image in preadolescence , influencer morality , and digital intimacy literacy Her 2025 publications include multi-method studies on appearance-focused social media activity, AI chatbot interactions, and political socialization through non-political figures Advises PhD candidates through promotor roles in diverse media psychology research areas
Hilde Colpin serves as a Full Professor in the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at KU Leuven, where she leads the School Psychology and Development in Context research unit. She holds dual affiliations with the KU Leuven Institute for Child and Youth (LC&Y) and the KU Leuven Institute for Educational Research (LIVO), and serves on the PPW Faculty Council, Bachelor Psychology Program Committee, and Master Psychology Program Committee. Her research investigates the interplay between teacher-student and peer relationships within school contexts and their impact on children's social-emotional development and mental health. Specializing in identity-based bullying prevention and interventions for vulnerable youth—including children with refugee and migration backgrounds—she develops evidence-based frameworks for collaborative family-school partnerships. Her work bridges developmental theory with practical classroom applications. Her 2025 publications reveal a cohesive focus on relational dynamics in educational settings, with recurring themes of teacher connective practices, bullying intervention efficacy, and adolescent mental health outcomes. These works employ mixed-methods approaches across diverse age groups and school systems, consistently emphasizing the dual influence of teachers and peers on student well-being. Key outputs include validated measurement tools like the TAP-S questionnaire and the CONNECTIONS in CLASS research report for schools. Professor Colpin currently directs nine major research projects as promoter or co-promoter, including 'Primary Prejudice' (addressing identity-based bullying, 2023-2027) and 'CONNECTIES in the CLASS' (examining relationship dynamics, 2022-2026). She mentors students through courses such as 'Prevention: Children and Youth' and clinical practicum supervision in educational psychology. She spearheads the CONNECTIONS in CLASS (CiC) research initiative, which investigates how teacher-student and peer relationships interact to shape adolescents' mental health. This program produces actionable tools for educators and informs policy through its school-based implementation framework.
Catherine Legrand serves as Professor of Biostatistics at UCLouvain (Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium), affiliated with the Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA) and the Louvain School of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (LSBA) within the Faculty of Science. She chaired ISBA from 2019-2022 and currently presides over the Louvain Institute for Data Analysis and Modeling (LIDAM). Her academic foundation includes: Master Degree in Mathematics from Université Libre de Bruxelles (1998) PhD in Statistics from Hasselt University (2005) supervised by Prof. Paul Janssen and Prof. Luc Duchateau, specializing in survival analysis and frailty models Her research program centers on Survival Data Analysis with emphasis on frailty models, cure models, and Joint Models for Longitudinal and Survival Data. She develops methodologies for clinical trial design and analysis with direct applications in oncology data, bridging theoretical statistics and clinical practice through collaborations with medical researchers. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant trends: 1) Advanced survival modeling techniques (semi-Markov, cure rate models) for disease progression; 2) Validation frameworks for surrogate endpoints in clinical trials using joint modeling; 3) Emerging applications in health insurance analytics and public health systems. Her work increasingly addresses real-world healthcare challenges while maintaining methodological rigor. No scientific awards were documented in the available sources. Information regarding student supervision and research grant funding was not provided in the current materials. She leads research within LIDAM and ISBA, building on her prior role as primary statistician for the EORTC Lung Cancer Group where she contributed to multiple Phase II/III trials in lung cancer and mesothelioma. Her current work integrates biostatistical methodology development with practical applications across oncology, public health, and actuarial science domains.
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.
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).
Tom Wenseleers is a Professor at KU Leuven's Department of Biology within the Faculty of Science, where he leads the Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution. His research spans theoretical and experimental approaches to evolutionary biology, with particular focus on social insect systems. Research spans social insects (ants, bees, wasps), microbes, viruses, and human systems Primary model organisms: social insects studying major evolutionary transitions Current projects examine caste determination, chemical communication, and evolutionary conflicts His research integrates theoretical modeling with experimental, behavioral, and comparative studies. Recent work combines genomic techniques and high-throughput GC/MS analysis to decipher chemical communication systems. Current trends show increasing interdisciplinary work spanning virology (SARS-CoV-2 variants), microbial ecology (antibiotic resistance), and robotics (pollinator behavior monitoring). The research demonstrates consistent application of evolutionary theory to diverse biological systems while maintaining social insects as the core model. Wenseleers actively mentors PhD students and postdocs, with recent graduates including Kamiel Debeuckelaere and Viviana Di Pietro. His lab receives substantial funding through multiple concurrent research projects, including Promotor roles on grants examining caste development in bee societies and microbial metabolite screening. The laboratory maintains strong international collaborations across Europe and South America. The lab operates within the Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation unit at KU Leuven, with physical location at Naamsestraat 59, box 2466, 3000 Leuven. The research group maintains active outreach programs including science workshops for schools and public engagement events focused on insect conservation.
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.
Prof. Wim Desmet is a full professor at the Faculty of Engineering Science and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven . His research focuses on advanced modeling techniques for mechanical systems, including: noise and vibration control in automotive and industrial systems computational acoustics and interval field uncertainty modeling metamaterials for broadband vibroacoustic performance AI-driven diagnostic systems in renewable energy and manufacturing Current research projects address challenges in electric vehicle drivetrains, wind turbine monitoring, and multi-physical digital twin development. He actively contributes to academic governance as: Managing Director of KU Leuven Head of Subdivision HIST Chair of multiple executive committees Member of 15+ academic and administrative councils
Marian Verhelst is a Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Science, renowned for her research in hardware-efficient computing and dedication to STEM education. Her work spans hardware acceleration for machine learning, edge AI, and in-memory computing, with a focus on energy optimization and algorithm-hardware co-design. Her research interests include: Designing flexible hardware for ultra-low-power edge AI systems Optimizing sparsity-aware architectures for deep learning workloads Advancing chiplet-based and 3D memory technologies Co-designing algorithms and hardware for probabilistic AI Pioneering STEM outreach through KU Leuven InnovationLab Recent publications (2023–2025) demonstrate strong trends in: Hardware-software co-optimization for edge ML systems Efficient data movement in heterogeneous accelerators Low-precision and sparse computation techniques RISC-V based customizable SoCs Sustainable AI accelerator design Awards & Honors: Young Academy of Europe Award (2021) for science communication and STEM advocacy She leads significant educational initiatives, including the KU Leuven InnovationLab which has engaged 150 schools and 13,000 students since 2014. The program develops hands-on STEM projects (e.g., AI-powered wheelchairs, sustainable energy systems) and provides teacher training to inspire youth in engineering.
Lenka Benova is a Researcher at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp , where she serves as Unit Head in Reproductive and Maternal Health. She is a quantitative population health scientist with interdisciplinary training in management, economics, Middle East studies, demography, and epidemiology . Her career includes project coordination with Médecins Sans Frontières in Nigeria, West Bank, and South Sudan, as well as leading health pillar design in Egypt's conditional cash transfer program (2008-2010). Education: MA in Middle East studies (American University in Cairo) MSc in Demography and Health (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) PhD in Population Health (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) Her research focuses on health-seeking behavior in low- and middle-income countries, particularly reproductive/maternal health , with methodological interests in innovative data capture, self-reported indicator validity, and geospatial modeling . Her recent work examines maternal healthcare provision discontinuities in urban Sub-Saharan Africa through system dynamics and geospatial approaches. She teaches on Masters course modules and supervises PhD students , contributing to projects like: modeling maternal care accessibility in Guinea, analyzing fertility transitions in DR Congo, and evaluating hospital data utility for community epidemiology. Her research appears in journals such as Bioinformatics , BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth , and Scientific Reports , focusing on public health, maternal care, and health equity.
Ans De Vos is a Professor at Antwerp Management School (AMS), holding the SD Worx Chair in 'Next Generation Work: Creating Sustainable Careers'. She also serves as Associate Dean for Education and coordinates the Next Generation Work expertise center. Her academic journey includes a Master's in Psychology (KULeuven), an HRM degree (University of Antwerp/AMS), and a PhD from the University of Ghent (2002) on psychological contracts in new employees. Her research focuses on sustainable careers, digitalization's impact on work, flexible work arrangements, and leadership models. She advises organizations on career management and is a sought-after speaker. Her work bridges HR strategy with societal challenges, emphasizing win-win solutions for employers and employees. Key contributions include publications on post-pandemic workforce dynamics, inclusive recruitment, and future-proof HR policies. She teaches in AMS's full-time and executive programs, emphasizing leadership and career development.
Ann Vereecke is a Full Professor and Partner at Vlerick Business School, concurrently serving as a Professor at Ghent University. She holds a Doctorate in Management from Ghent University, an MBA from Vlerick, and a Masters in Engineering. As Director of the Research Centre for People in the Smart Digitised Supply Chain, she focuses on Industry 4.0, digital technologies, and global supply chain strategies. Her expertise spans operations management, logistics, and strategic manufacturing networks. She teaches MBA, Master’s, and executive programs at Vlerick, emphasizing practical applications for industry. Her research explores supply chain digitization, international manufacturing strategies, and the integration of digital twins and Industry 4.0 technologies. Recent work highlights trends in smart supply chains and the transformative impact of AI-driven solutions. She actively advises companies across industries through executive education and research projects. Ann serves on corporate boards (WhatsCooking?, bpost, North Sea Port, Tessenderlo Group) and editorial boards (International Journal of Operations and Production Management). Her board roles reflect her expertise in operational excellence and strategic governance. Her articles analyze supply chain collaboration, social responsibility in logistics, and the dynamics of global manufacturing networks. Recent insights address digital twins in supply chain resilience and Industry 4.0 adoption strategies.
Piet Desmet is a full professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Arts, serving as vice rector of KU Leuven, Kulak Kortrijk Campus, and academic director of the Office of the Academic Director, Bruges Campus. He leads multiple research divisions including itec and its Language and Technology subdivision, and is a member of Leuven.AI - KU Leuven Institute for Artificial Intelligence. As general coordinator of itec and academic director of the imec smart education research program, he oversees significant research initiatives spanning multiple campuses. Desmet's research focuses on the intersection of language learning and technology, with particular expertise in Second Language Acquisition and Technology, Computer-assisted Language Learning (including AI-based chatbots), Learning Analytics, and Language Technology and Corpus Linguistics. His work explores intelligent feedback systems, linguistic complexity prediction, adaptive testing, and natural language processing applications for educational contexts. His research spans theoretical linguistic frameworks to practical educational implementations, with a strong emphasis on empirical validation of technological interventions in language learning. Analysis of Desmet's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward integrating artificial intelligence with language education, particularly through conversational AI and learning analytics. His work increasingly focuses on chatbot-assisted language learning, adaptive assessment systems powered by large language models, and the application of computational linguistics to educational problems. The publications demonstrate a consistent methodological approach combining theoretical linguistics with empirical educational research, often employing eye-tracking, ERP studies, and learning analytics to evaluate effectiveness. Desmet actively supervises numerous PhD students and leads multiple major research projects including Smart Education at Schools (2025-2026), Enhancing EFL Learners' Speaking Ability through Chatbot-Assisted Dynamic Assessment Powered by LLMs (2024-2028), and the Flanders Ed Tech Hub (2022-2025). His research portfolio demonstrates significant funding success across multiple national and international initiatives focused on educational technology and language learning. As head of itec (an imec research team at KU Leuven), Desmet leads a substantial research ecosystem focused on smart education technologies. The itec team collaborates extensively with Leuven.AI and the KU Leuven Educational Research Institute (LIVO), creating a multidisciplinary environment that bridges computational linguistics, educational psychology, and artificial intelligence. Recent initiatives include the 'AI in Education' online training course and the network for Edtech and Learntech in Flanders.
Tom Paulus serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Literature at the University of Antwerp, actively contributing to institutional governance through elected roles including the Departmental Council for Literature and multiple educational committees for Master's programs in History, Languages, Translation, and Theatre-Film Studies. His administrative duties extend to examination and research committees within the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy. His scholarly work bridges Film Studies, Art History, and Literary Theory, with concentrated expertise in pictorialism's influence on early cinema, messianic themes across literature and film, and spatial poetics in directors like Ozu and Godard. He examines how Beaux-Arts traditions shaped Hollywood aesthetics and analyzes stylistic evolution in transitional-era quality films through visual culture frameworks. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2009-2024) reveals consistent exploration of cinema's visual dimensions, including slapstick comedy historiography, neoclassical influences in Michael Mann's work, and the interplay between technological innovation and artistic expression in early film lighting. His research demonstrates particular attention to how photography movements informed cinematic techniques and how redemption narratives manifest across literary and filmic mediums.
Evy Rombaut serves as a postdoctoral researcher at the MOBI Electromobility Research Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, specializing in Business Technology and Operations Management. Her research focuses on autonomous vehicle systems, sustainable transportation, and urban mobility optimization within the Flemish Institute for Technological Research ecosystem. Her primary research interests include autonomous vehicles (100% fingerprint match), logistics systems (24-28% focus), electric vehicle integration (22-31% emphasis), and vehicle-to-grid technology (28% focus). Her work bridges engineering and social sciences, particularly examining user acceptance (21% focus), traffic simulation modeling (22% focus), and job creation metrics (21% focus) in electromobility transitions. Rombaut actively supervises graduate research, with notable contributions to master's theses on autonomous vehicle environmental impacts and EU regulatory frameworks. Her current projects include AccelerationMOBI (2025-2029), DESTINY carbon reduction initiatives (2024-2029), and AUGMENTED CCAM infrastructure development (2022-2025), reflecting her leadership in European sustainable transport research consortia. She maintains active roles in PhD committees and conference organization, including the ACCAM Project Review Meeting (2024) and doctoral defenses on shared autonomous vehicle implementation. Her research output demonstrates consistent productivity with 43 publications since 2015, including 17 journal articles and 10 conference papers, achieving an h-index of 8 with 341 Scopus citations. Rombaut's work is centered at the MOBI Electromobility Research Centre, where she contributes to the Autonomous Mobility & Logistics research focus area. Her current projects involve multi-institutional collaborations across 8 active research initiatives examining vehicle-to-grid integration, urban mobility transitions, and carbon-neutral transport solutions through both fundamental and applied research frameworks.
