Project Leader & Researcher

• Oct 2017 - Present

Over 54 million people in the EU suffer from balance disorders, yet, the basic functioning of the balance organ in the inner ear is not well understood yet. Building on my expertise in fluid modelling and functional morphology, I help tackling this problem. But my interests and aims were always broader than purely carrying out research. Therefore, I put much effort in the rewarding task of coaching and supervising PhD and master students, I enthusiastically set up various STEM education activities for children, assemble and lead multidisciplinary, international teams, organise several multi-day international conferences and one-day symposia, became manager of the BioStrµCT consortium (CT-scanning; collaboration with VUB), and was selected to become board member of the international association of Biomechanici of the Society for Experimental Biology. Show less

• Oct 2011 - Present

Teaching has always been a passion. I find much joy in explaining difficult material in an accessible way, interacting with students, adjusting my course material to the various learning styles, including modern technology to enhance interactiveness (e.g. polls during class, quizzes after class to let students test whether they reached the learning goals,…) and so on. By actively seeking teaching opportunities at the University of Antwerp, I was able to teach both practical and theory classes, both at bachelor and master level, both to small and large groups and individually. Show less

• Oct 2015 - Sep 2017

A large benefit of working in academics has always the broad scope of roles and activities, and the enormous learning possibilities. Hence, next to performing research, I lead teams, taught students, organised STEM education activities, conferences and symposia, became skilled in project and people management, enjoyed science communication to the broad public,… Eager to understand the functioning of the balance organ and why different animals have differently shaped balance organs, in my research I investigated the anatomy of balance organs, constructed (fluid-structure) mechanical models of the balance organ, and experimentally measured the balance performance and kinematics on runways. Show less

Postdoctoral Guest Researcher

• Aug 2016 - Aug 2017

I was very lucky to be able to work with the fluid mechanics engineers of the TUDelft thanks to funding I acquired from the FWO. Next to an inspiring international experience, this allowed me to learn from world-renowned CFD and fluid mechanics experts. At the time, I was developing the first 3D Fluid-Structure Interaction model of the balance organ of the inner ear. The large technical challenge, never tackled by the TUDelft CFD experts either, was making the connection between a fluid simulation (of the fluid in the channels of the inner ear) and a structure simulation (of the sensors in the inner ear). Returning to the University of Antwerp with a working, validated model of the balance organ, was a major breakthrough. Show less

Forest Worker

• 2006 - 2007

As a student, I worked as a forest worker in the national nature reserve Kalmthoutse Heide. During fire risk alert phase red, I manned the fire watchtower in the heathland and stayed in contact with the fire services. Other tasks included maintaining and repairing the grazing enclosure, removing invasive exotic plants, and other practical tasks in the nature reserve. As a student, I worked as a forest worker in the national nature reserve Kalmthoutse Heide. During fire risk alert phase red, I manned the fire watchtower in the heathland and stayed in contact with the fire services. Other tasks included maintaining and repairing the grazing enclosure, removing invasive exotic plants, and other practical tasks in the nature reserve.

Child And Youth Worker

• 2004 - 2006

Most of my youth work I did as a volunteer (see below), but I also worked as a youth animator at Speelpleinen Kalmthout. There, I could lead younger children than at the chiro, starting at 2.5 years old. Occasionally, I also supervised one-day trips of teenagers for the youth department of the Kalmthout municipality. Most of my youth work I did as a volunteer (see below), but I also worked as a youth animator at Speelpleinen Kalmthout. There, I could lead younger children than at the chiro, starting at 2.5 years old. Occasionally, I also supervised one-day trips of teenagers for the youth department of the Kalmthout municipality.