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Current position: Associate Professor (100%), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dept. Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (REVAKI), Research Group MOVANT, University of Antwerp
In 2005 I obtained a PhD in Sciences at the University of Antwerp studying the biomechanical determinants of the development of bipedal gait in humans. After completing my PhD, I was able to combine my research activities with teaching activities at the Hogeschool Antwerp teaching assistant. As part of my research activities, I obtained a postdoctoral researcher mandate looking into gait and motor development in children with visual impairments. Since 2010, I have been working as a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at the Artesis Hogeschool Antwerp, Department of Health, where I was responsible for education and scientific research. I combined these activities with the function of project coordinator for the Multidisciplinary Motor Centre Antwerp (M²OCEAN) leading multidisciplinary scientific research in the field of biomechanics and movement analysis in specific and pathological populations. Since 2016, I am appointed as research professor at the University of Antwerp.
My research focusses on the neuromechanical control of walking and on the importance of balance and postural control during the development and maturation of gait in children. I am specifically recognised for my expertise in the domains of postural balance (top 0.17% of 40,517 published authors worldwide) and gait (top 0.19% of 55,925 published authors worldwide; www.expertscape.com). While performing my research activities I gained experience in 3D gait analysis and biomechanical modelling. After a Hercules grant was awarded to my host institution in 2011, I was responsible for the establishment of M²OCEAN in the setting of the University Hospital. I managed the lab since 2013, first as post doc then as research professor. Since then the lab has grown and currently 1 post-doc, 1 lab technician and 8 PhD students perform their research under my supervision while already 6 PhDs (of which 4 under my direct supervision) have successfully been defended.