Prof. dr. ir. Siegfried Vlaeminck is SUSTAIN's spokesperson. He and his team together are Biobased Cleantech and Environmental Analysis Research (BioCLEAR). At BioCLEAR, our research centers on pioneering biotechnologies to tackle environmental challenges sustainably. We transform waste streams into valuable resources like clean water, fertilizers, and alternative proteins, using advanced biological processes. Our work also accelerates natural CO2 sequestration, enhancing carbon capture and climate solutions. Through comprehensive system assessments, we refine these technologies to maximize resource efficiency and minimize environmental impact, paving the way for cleaner, more sustainable world.
Prof. dr. ir. Roeland Samson’s team focusses on ecosystem services in urban environments for sustainable and healthy societies. This includes the role of urban brown (soil), green (vegetation) and blue (water) infrastructures for improving biodiversity, microclimate and nature-connectedness. Furthermore, the research team investigates the role of trees and beneficial micro-organisms in cities to combat environmental stress, air pollution and human health issues, pursuing a healthy urban ecosystem for healthy citizens.
The team of Prof. dr. Sara Vicca investigates the dynamics of carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, with on nature-based solutions for CO2 removal in agricultural and other environments. At the heart of their research lies a profound understanding of plant-soil-microbe interactions, which not only play a central role in the complex dynamics of carbon cycling but also hold the key to developing sustainable climate solutions. Prof. Vicca is also member of the Global Change Ecology Centre of Excellence.
Prof. dr. Anastasia Papangelou works on the assessment of urban resource flows, particularly bio-based materials such as food and organic waste. She studies these flows at different spatial scales (local, regional, national), with a focus on city-hinterland relationships and using tools from industrial, territorial, and political ecology.
Prof. dr. Ann Crabbé is affiliated to SUSTAIN (10%) and the Research Centre on Environmental and Social Change of the department of Sociology at University of Antwerp. In her research, she analyzes and explains stability and change in environmental policies and studies the introduction and evolution of new modes of (sustainability) governance. She has expertise in policy evaluation (methodology) and is particularly interested in ‘boundary work’ between science, policy and society. Thematically, her research is water policy related and ties into flood risk management, water quality policies and climate adaptation policies.
Prof. dr. Marc Spiller is affiliated with SUSTAIN (25%) and VITO. Together with a team, his work focuses on sustainability assessments. More specifically, he applies consequential life cycle assessment and material flow analysis to resource recovery technologies in the fields of water treatment, wastewater treatment, and the agri-food value chain. Prof. Spiller also collaborates closely with researchers in the field of environmental economics to carry out techno-economic assessments and research on choice behaviors.
