About me
In 2014, I obtained my Ph.D. supported by a fellowship from Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO), studying the consequences of Alzheimer’s disease by characterising transgenic mouse models on a behavioural as well as synaptic level.
After my PhD, I moved to Australia, to work in the Clem-Jones Centre for Aging and Dementia Research at the Queensland Brain Institute, where I investigated the feasibility of ultrasound mediated Alzheimer vaccination therapy.
In 2017, I received further research training at the Institute for Molecular Medicine (Lisbon, Portugal) funded by the EU Marie Curie-COFUND program for my project: 'Only the lonely: the relationship between loneliness and dementia'.
From September 2018 onwards, I am working at the Memory and Aging Center (San Francisco, US) in my FWO funded project to look at the selective vulnerability of the olfactory system in dementias.
In addition to research, I am active in science education and outreach. In 2016, I took up the position as secretary of BeWiSe: Belgian Women in Science supporting the position of women in science both in academia and industry.
I am a member of the Womens Brain Project, an initiative to promote a scientific discussion on the specific vulnerability of the female brain to mental diseases, and to advocate for women's mental health. We advocate for more awareness of cerebral sexual dimorphism in research.
As the founder of #thesmellchallenge workshop, I try to promote STEM. Since November 2017, over 200 kids participated in this unique workshop. It was awarded a Brain Awareness Week 2018 grant from the DANA foundation and Federation of European Neurosciences (FENS).
I am an active fundraiser for Alzheimer Research Foundation Belgium. Each year I give lectures and bake & sell cupcakes at local women's service clubs to raise money for Alzheimer's research.
Women in Science
"You Can't Be What You Can't See"
Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday.
With my The Smell Challenge Workshop, I provide hands-on STEM activities for girls and boys. As a science role model, I encourage an interest in STEM in children. More on my workshop, can be found here.
Mothers in Science
Moreover, I believe that working abroad and having an international network is a crucial part of a postdoc life and life in science in general. I try to take my children along with me on conferences and research stays abroad as much as possible in order to promote the voice of mothers in science.
Several magazines have interviewed me about this, read more here or
