Projects
Experimental evolution: a new strategy to study persistence. KU Leuven
Persister cells constitute a small, antibiotic-tolerant fraction in an otherwise susceptible population. These phenotypic variants are inherent in any bacterial species and are strongly involved in recurrent and chronic infections. An in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation, maintenance, and resuscitation of persister cells is still lacking, especially in clinically relevant pathogenic strains. This is ...
Experimental and numerical study of the mechanical response of large glass facades subject to blast loading Ghent University
Nowadays, many new buildings are designed with a large glass facade, also in Belgium, but are at the same time prone to terrorist attacks (embassies, Nato building, etc.). The blast design of these glass facades is therefore mandatory. However, blast design of glass facades is still mainly a matter of rules of thumb, and of experimental large-scale certification tests.
The aim of this project is to improve the fundamental ...
Combined electrostatic precipitation-photocatalysis technology for simultaneous abatement of indoor particulate matter, VOCs and NOx pollution: a study based on experimental analysis and multiphysics modelling. University of Antwerp
Experimental and theoretical study of the fundamental mechanisms of nitrogen fixation by plasma and plasma-catalysis: towards the development of novel, environmentally friendly and efficient processes (NITROPLASM). University of Antwerp
Effects of evolution on metacommunity structure: an experimental study on bacterioplankton KU Leuven
My research focuses on how evolution and eco-evolutionary dynamics impact bacterioplankton strains and communities. Using isolates from freshwater ponds I explore ecological drivers and evolutionary potential of bacterioplankton using a well-balanced model system. I focus on bacterial adaptation imposed by environmental changes due to anthropogenic activities, more specifically urban heat island effect. Furthermore, I investigate whether ...
Evaluation of the Impact of Energy Renovation Measures: Experimental Study of Residential Buildings KU Leuven
The energy efficiency of buildings is a major focus to decrease the emission of greenhouse gases and limit the global warming. Besides strict standards for new buildings, existing buildings have at least as much potential for savings. Therefore, this research focuses on the renovation of residential buildings. The most important goal of the research is to assess what renovation measures and techniques result in the largest savings. ...
An experimental and theoretical study into the competition between halogen bonding and hydrogen bonding. University of Antwerp
Numerical analysis and experimental study of the dynamics of the thermal processes in electric and magnetic local hyperthermia cancer therapies Ghent University
Thermotherapy consists in the local heating of tumors. Two possible thermotherapies are investigated: electric thermotherapy, i.e. injection of radiofrequent currents in the tumor using needles; magnetic thermotherapy, i.e. heating of magnetic nanoparticles due to external radiofrequent magnetic fields. In order to better understand and increase the efficacy of these techniques, a numerical analysis and an experimental study will be ...