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.
Steven Devleminck is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Technology, concurrently serving as coordinator of the School of Arts (Associated Faculty) in Brussels. His dual appointment bridges engineering and arts through the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) group at Group T Leuven Campus and Unit Art & Technology in Brussels, with active membership in DigiSoc – KU Leuven Digital Society Institute. His research centers on human-centered computing and speculative design methodologies , with core expertise in tangible interaction for emotion regulation and multispecies futures. Key themes include biofuturing as co-creative response to climate crises, squeeze-based interfaces for workplace stress, and artistic AI collaborations. His work uniquely integrates computer science with choreography, film studies, and anthropology through projects like “Youth TikTok production as public pedagogy” and “Imagining the Post-Anthropocene in BioFutures Living Lab”. Analysis of recent publications reveals three dominant trajectories: (1) Advancement of squeeze interaction techniques for affective computing, (2) Development of biofuturing frameworks for multispecies speculation, and (3) Critical examinations of AI's role in artistic mediumship. Cross-cutting themes include post-anthropocentric design, climate-responsive technologies, and decolonial approaches to digital pedagogy. Devleminck actively mentors doctoral candidates including Ula Sickle (choreographic exhibitions) and J. Verbesselt (cinema studies), while leading major funded projects such as: Living Corpora (2025-2029): Pioneering human-AI collaboration in digital humanities as Co-promotor Experiential Futuring (2022-2026): Co-creative methodology for social media outage response as Co-promotor Deradicalizing the City (2021-2025): Urban intervention research as Promotor He serves on the Computer Science Department Council and Doctoral Committee for the Associated Faculty of Arts. His laboratory ecosystem spans the HCI Group T Leuven Campus for technical development, Brussels-based Unit Art & Technology for artistic integration, and BioFutures Living Lab for participatory multispecies experimentation. This tripartite structure enables transdisciplinary work connecting squeeze sensor engineering with climate futures speculation and museum interface design.
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.
Lucca Geurts is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering Sciences at KU Leuven, where he is affiliated with the Department of Computer Science. He serves as chairman of the Leuven Centre for Accessible Health Technology, subdivision head of Subdivision 3, Campus Group T Leuven, and Head of Education of the OC Innovative Health Technology. Additionally, he is an active member of DigiSoc – KU Leuven Institute for Digital Society. His research focuses on Technology for Tangible and Playful Interactions, particularly in healthcare applications. Dr. Geurts leads numerous research projects including therapeutic games for children with visual disorders, flexible activity measurement systems, intimate interactive systems, and early-stage glaucoma screening platforms. His work bridges human-computer interaction with accessible health technology, emphasizing user-centered design principles and practical healthcare solutions. Dr. Geurts' publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory from fundamental interaction techniques to applied healthcare contexts. His recent work shows increasing sophistication in squeeze interactions, emotion regulation through tangible interfaces, and medical applications of interactive technology. The research trends indicate a growing focus on accessible medical diagnostics, therapeutic applications, and user experience in healthcare technology. As an educator, Dr. Geurts teaches across multiple domains including Electronics, Computer Architectures, Health Entrepreneurship, Sensors and Circuits for Healthcare Applications, and Extended Reality. His educational leadership extends to Master's theses and internships in health engineering, reflecting his commitment to training the next generation of healthcare technologists. Committee for Culture, Art and Heritage Faculty Council of Industrial Engineering Sciences Evaluation Committee of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering Sciences POC Advanced Education Faculty of Industrial Engineering Sciences Secretary of the OC Innovative Health Technology Departmental Council for Computer Science Interfaculty Council for Global Development (as substitute member) Dr. Geurts maintains an active research profile with numerous publications in top-tier human-computer interaction conferences and journals. His work shows a clear progression toward increasingly impactful healthcare applications, with strong emphasis on accessibility and user experience in medical technology development.
Patrick Wagner is a full professor at the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), affiliated with the Faculty of Sciences and the Department of Physics of Soft Matter and Biophysics. His research focuses on biosensors, soft matter physics, and nanotechnology, often intersecting with biomedical and environmental applications. Head of the Department of Physics of Soft Matter and Biophysics Member of Leuven One Health and LIMNI institutes Active in interdisciplinary projects involving sensor development and biophysical systems His current projects include PFAS contamination monitoring, thermally responsive biosensors, and advanced electrode systems for lab-on-chip integration. While no explicit awards or students are listed in the provided text, his publications highlight collaborations across Europe and involvement in clinical, environmental, and materials science domains. Recent works emphasize electrochemical sensing, molecular imprinting, and temperature-driven cell adhesion techniques.
Wout Joseph is a Professor in the domain of Experimental Characterization of wireless communication systems at Ghent University (Belgium), where he has been working since October 2009. He is also an IMEC Principal Investigator since 2017. His research is conducted within the wireless, acoustics, environment & expert systems (WAVES) research unit at the Department of Information Technology (INTEC). Dr. Joseph was born in Ostend, Belgium on October 21, 1977. He received his M.Sc. degree in electrical engineering from Ghent University in July 2000. From September 2000 to March 2005 he was a research assistant at the Department of Information Technology (INTEC), where his scientific work focused on electromagnetic exposure assessment around base stations for mobile communications related to health effects. This work led to his Ph.D. degree in March 2005. Professor Joseph's research expertise spans multiple domains within wireless communications and bioelectromagnetics. His primary research interests include electromagnetic field exposure assessment, in-body electromagnetic field modeling, electromagnetic medical applications, propagation for wireless communication systems, IoT, antennas and calibration. He also specializes in wireless performance analysis, industry 4.0 applications, wireless localization, and Quality of Experience metrics. His work is particularly notable for its focus on dosimetric studies in the radiofrequency range, where his research is ranked first in number of peer-reviewed studies. His research has practical applications in wireless network planning, occupational safety, and public health policy related to electromagnetic fields. His extensive publication record (over 886 publications with an h-index of 45 in ISI Web of Science and 66 in Google Scholar) demonstrates a clear trajectory from fundamental electromagnetic field measurements to applied research in industrial wireless networks and bioelectromagnetic applications. Recent work shows a strong emphasis on 5G exposure assessment across multiple European countries, millimeter-wave channel modeling, and the application of machine learning techniques to exposure assessment and wireless localization. EBEA council board member (2015-2018) EBEA board member at large (2019) Bioelectromagnetics Society board member (2022) Bioelectromagnetics Society board member (2024) 24 research awards Professor Joseph leads significant research efforts in electromagnetic field exposure assessment, with particular emphasis on developing measurement methodologies and computational models for real-world exposure scenarios. His work bridges theoretical electromagnetic modeling with practical applications in wireless communications and bioelectromagnetics. His research group within the WAVES unit is highly active in both theoretical and experimental aspects of wireless communications and bioelectromagnetics, with current projects focusing on 5G exposure assessment across Europe, millimeter-wave channel modeling for data centers and industrial environments, and the development of novel exposure assessment methodologies using advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques.
Jef Poortmans is a Visiting Professor at KU Leuven, Belgium, specializing in photovoltaic technologies and solar energy systems. His research spans multiple applications including conventional solar installations, agrivoltaics, vehicle-integrated photovoltaics, and tandem solar cell configurations. Affiliated with the Electa department at KU Leuven, he maintains an active research profile with numerous publications extending into 2025. His research interests focus on advancing photovoltaic technology across multiple dimensions. Poortmans investigates thermal modeling to improve energy yield predictions, develops lightweight PV modules for vehicle integration, explores agrivoltaic systems that combine agriculture with solar energy production, and works on next-generation perovskite and tandem solar cell technologies. His work often addresses practical implementation challenges including reliability under various environmental conditions, mechanical integration requirements, and performance optimization for specific applications. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on practical implementation challenges of photovoltaic systems. His work spans fundamental materials science (particularly for perovskite and thin-film technologies), system integration challenges (especially for vehicle applications), and innovative approaches to land use optimization through agrivoltaics. A recurring theme is addressing reliability and performance issues under real-world operating conditions rather than ideal laboratory settings. Poortmans frequently collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions, indicating strong industry and academic connections within the photovoltaics community. His work appears in high-impact journals including Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Scientific Reports, and Advanced Functional Materials, demonstrating recognition within the field. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, his extensive publication record across diverse photovoltaic applications suggests successful funding acquisition for multiple research projects. His involvement in PhD theses supervision indicates active mentorship of next-generation researchers in the photovoltaics field. His research group appears to focus on bridging fundamental photovoltaic science with practical engineering applications, particularly addressing the reliability and integration challenges that prevent wider adoption of solar technologies in non-traditional applications like vehicles and agricultural settings.
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.
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
Frank Canters is a Professor of cartography, GIS, and remote sensing at the Department of Geography of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), leading the Cartography and GIS Research Group. His research focuses on urban remote sensing, spatial modeling of urban environments, and urban ecosystem services. He is renowned for pioneering the Canters projection, a minimum-error world map projection, and has contributed extensively to urban land-use mapping and decision-support systems for urban planning. His work spans over three decades, with 281+ publications and collaborations across multiple disciplines. Key areas include urban form dynamics, remote sensing applications for vegetation and land-use analysis, and spatial justice in green infrastructure distribution. He has supervised 83 students and developed tools like the Q-LavHA plugin for volcanic hazard modeling. Recent research highlights include integrating public perceptions into green space accessibility models, assessing allergenic potentials of urban greenery via LiDAR, and advancing machine learning approaches for urban vegetation mapping. His contributions bridge geospatial technologies with urban sustainability and policy.
Omar Hegazy is a Professor in Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), affiliated with the MOBI - Electromobility Research Centre. He leads research in power electronics systems, electric vehicle drivetrains, and energy management. His work focuses on reliability, WBG semiconductors, and sustainable transportation systems. Education details are not explicitly provided, but his extensive publication record and project leadership imply advanced academic qualifications. Research interests include power electronics, battery management systems, hybrid/fuel cell vehicles, and V2X technologies. His projects address challenges in electric vehicle infrastructure, grid integration, and renewable energy systems. Key trends in his articles include digital twin development for electric trucks, advanced thermal management of SiC devices, and optimization of DC charging systems. His work emphasizes practical applications like modular converters, fault-tolerant drives, and interoperable charging solutions. Awarded Best Master Thesis (2019), Best Paper (2024), and Optimal Design Recognition (2016) Supervised over 49 theses, including master's and doctoral studies in power electronics and EV systems Secured funding for projects like HiPower 5.0, HARPOONERS, and FLEXMCS Labs/Teams: Active in MOBI's Electromobility Research Centre, collaborating on advanced power electronics and e-mobility solutions. Involved in interdisciplinary teams for microgrid design and DC charging infrastructure.
Annick Hubin is a Professor in the Department of Sustainable Materials Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She serves in additional leadership roles including R&D Central management and as Head of a Research Group. Her work focuses on electrochemical processes with applications in materials engineering, corrosion science, and sustainable technologies. Her research interests span electrochemical kinetics, thermodynamics of aqueous solutions, electrode processes, electroreduction of metals and alloys (plating, extraction, refining, recycling), and environmental electrochemistry. She specializes in investigating basic electrochemical reactions using techniques such as potentiometric titrations, voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, and impedance measurements. Her work also examines mass transport in electrochemical processes and the action of organic inhibitors for metal deposition or dissolution reactions. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on corrosion science, battery technologies, and electrochemical materials. There is a clear trend toward applying advanced characterization techniques and machine learning to solve complex problems in electrochemistry and materials science. Her research increasingly addresses sustainability challenges, particularly in battery technology and low-carbon solutions. Professor Hubin actively supervises doctoral students and participates in numerous research projects, demonstrating her commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers. She has secured substantial research funding for projects spanning fundamental and applied research in materials engineering. She leads or participates in several significant research initiatives including DESTINY (Low-carbon solutions network), fundamental research on sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries, and projects focused on atmospheric corrosion prediction using machine learning. Her laboratory appears to specialize in electrochemical characterization and materials development for energy applications.
Lien Smeesters is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Applied Physics and Photonics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Her work focuses on advancing optical technologies for applications in climate monitoring, food safety, and industrial photonics. She is part of Brussels Photonics, a research group specializing in optical design and engineering. Her research interests include spectroscopy, LiDAR systems, space-based imaging, and the development of novel optical devices. Notably, she contributed to projects like the GRADΞD SBO initiative aimed at additive manufacturing process control. She has presented at international conferences such as SPIE Photonics Europe and organized events like the Belgian Photonics Online Meetup 2022. Education: Master's and PhD in Applied Physics and Photonics (VUB). Her awards include the Best Student Paper Award (2014), Photonics21 Student Innovation Award (2017), and EO Educational Award Finalist (2016). She has supervised master’s theses on topics like optical design for climate monitoring and tunable lenses in camera systems. Her lab work involves collaborations on projects such as wide-field-of-view cameras for Earth radiation monitoring and polymer lightguide fabrication.
Pasquale Ferrentino is a Researcher at the Department of Applied Mechanics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel. His work focuses on soft robotics, self-healing materials, and finite element analysis (FEA) modeling. He has contributed to developing sustainable soft robots using self-healing polymers and recyclable materials, as well as advancing simulation techniques in the SOFA framework for soft actuator design. Ferrentino has published extensively on topics like material-based modeling of continuum robots, human-robot interaction interfaces, and biomedical robotics applications. He received the SOFA Award - Technical Committee Prize in 2024 for his contributions to robotics modeling. His research spans collaboration with international teams, addressing challenges in wearable robotics, soft tissue interaction, and multi-material actuator optimization. Ferrentino has presented his work at major conferences and co-created datasets for self-healing soft finger tutorials and FEA-based modeling.
