Degree:
Electromechanical Engineering Technology
Current job:
researcher and teacher Electromechanical Engineering Technology at UAntwerp
Why did you choose to study Electromechanical Engineering Technology?
“As an 18-year-old, I had absolutely no idea which direction to choose. So I first chose a field of study that in retrospect turned out not to suit me, namely speech therapy. Eventually, through a contact I happened to be introduced to the course in industrial sciences. That turned out to be a much better choice for me.”
What do you do in your current job?
“As a postdoctoral researcher, my job until recently consisted of two main main tasks. On the one hand, I was responsible for teaching classes, with a focus on Heating Ventilation AirConditioning (HVAC) systems, and on the other, I supervised doctoral students and initiated new research opportunities in collaboration with industrial partners. This also included acquiring funding for research projects. Recently, my focus has shifted to a new challenge, namely the valorisation of our research. In this context, we are currently exploring the possibility of establishing a spin-off to take our research to the market.”
Tips for future industrial engineers?
“It's not bad at all if you don't yet know exactly what you want to do later in your job. The important thing is to keep an open mind and explore different possibilities. By staying flexible and being curious, new opportunities will always come your way-sometimes even from unexpected places you never thought would appear.”
Why do you believe it's important to highlight women in STEM?
“This can hopefully inspire young women to choose our industry and dispel stereotypes. Science is an exciting and inspiring world in which everyone has a place. More diversity in teams just makes for better collaboration and creative ideas.”