Dirk Lanens senior valorization manager

Research Dirk Lanens

Research team

Expertise

Management Valorisation Activities @ UAntwerpen

IOF valorisation manager Infectious diseases and environmental health. 13/05/2024 - 31/12/2026

Abstract

The multidisciplinary valorisation domain manager that coordinates the consortia related to infectious diseases and environmental health is responsible for the overall strategy and cooperation between the different PI's active in this broad research area. It is a senior profile who is strongly connected to industry and policy makers.

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    • Research Project

    Innovative ecosystem for circular use and upgrading of CO2, nitrogen and other components in the air to improve the quality of our living environment. 01/06/2021 - 31/12/2025

    Abstract

    The University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) aspires to connect complementary actors within the Flemish ecosystem for sustainable chemistry and materials. More specifically, UAntwerp aims to support and accelerate the valorization of innovations aimed at improving indoor and outdoor air quality. This is a niche market with enormous potential. To optimally support multidisciplinary collaborations in this domain, there is a need for R&I infrastructure that enables efficient scaling up and demonstration of innovative technologies aimed at the circular use and upgrading of CO2, nitrogen and other components in the air. To achieve this, the university is investing in BlueApp, an open innovation hub for sustainable chemistry and materials where multidisciplinary collaborations between entrepreneurial researchers, companies and startups can take place that aim to scale up innovative technologies from small-scale design prototypes to functional and sophisticated (reliable) prototypes on a pilot scale. Using the Flipped TTO principle, Proof of Concept (POC) projects will be selected that focus on the development of innovative technologies that provide an answer to the needs of companies, the market and/or society in the field of circular use and upgrading of CO2, nitrogen and other components in the air in order to accelerate impactful innovations. In addition, the R&I infrastructure and innovative technologies will be integrated into living lab demonstrators to test the economic and technological viability of these technologies, always aiming to initiate a dialogue between the relevant stakeholders such as companies, entrepreneurial researchers, startups, governments and citizens.

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      • Research Project

      Support and development of the innovation ecosystem for pandemic preparedness. 01/05/2021 - 31/12/2024

      Abstract

      The University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) aspires to set up an ecosystem for pandemic preparedness together with Flemish stakeholders (including VIB, ITM, VOKA Antwerp-Waasland). In order for this ecosystem to yield optimal results, there is a need for research infrastructure for (pre-)clinical research and efficient interaction with companies, knowledge institutions, hospitals, governments and international foundations. This project aims to invest in high-tech research infrastructure (BSL2-3 labs) that functions as a living lab in which academics can carry out innovative projects together with companies and public partners. Projects that can build on a strong scientific basis in the field of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance on the one hand through a partnership between VIB-ITG-UAntwerp, also based on economic/social needs (Flipped-TTO concept) throughout the entire value chain of pandemic response as defined by the public and private partners (eg VOKA Antwerp-Waasland). This Flipped-TTO concept accelerates to achieve impactful innovation together with the right partners in the context of pandemic preparedness and response, based on the lessons learned from the current crisis. This living lab investment is specifically based on the broader innovation ecosystem around pandemic preparedness and response, where, in addition to pharmaceutical and medical expertise, many other disciplines such as diagnostics, medical devices, digitization, data science and even economic-social models are needed to achieve innovation and impact.

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        Project website

        Project type(s)

        • Research Project

        IMARK. Network for image-based biomarker discovery and evaluation 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2026

        Abstract

        IMARK capitalizes on the deeply rooted expertise in biomedical imaging at the University of Antwerp to push the boundaries of precision medicine. By resolving molecular and structural patterns in space and time, IMARK aims at expediting biomarker discovery and development. To this end, it unites research groups with complementary knowledge and tools that cover all aspects of imaging-centred fundamental research, preclinical validation and clinical evaluation. IMARK harbours high-end infrastructure for electron and light microscopy, mass spectrometry imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography. Moreover, IMARK members actively develop correlative approaches that involve multiple imaging modalities to enrich information content, and conceive dedicated image analysis pipelines to obtain robust, quantitative readouts. This unique blend of technologies places IMARK in an excellent position as preferential partner for public-private collaborations and offers strategic advantage for expanding the flourishing IP portfolio. The major application fields of the consortium are neuroscience and oncology. With partners from the Antwerp University Hospital and University Psychiatric Centre Duffel, there is direct access to patient data/samples and potential for translational studies.

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        • Research Project

        Sustainable chemistry & materials 04/05/2020 - 31/12/2026

        Abstract

        The multidisciplinary valorisation domain manager sustainable chemistry & materials is responsible for the coordination of the different IOF consortia active in this area. This senior profile oversees the different research competences and defines the long term strategy in cooperation with partners from industry, government and society.

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          • Research Project

          Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource recovery (CAPTURE). 01/12/2019 - 30/11/2025

          Abstract

          CAPTURE is a platform where scientists, industrial partners and stakeholders meet to develop innovative solutions for efficient resource use and recovery. CAPTURE is organised along three pipelines: CO2-to-product, water "fit for use" and plastic to resource. The CO2-to-product pipeline develops CO2 capture and conversion technologies, by pooling expertise and infrastructure in catalysis, biotechnology, separation and process development from Ghent University, Universiteit Antwerpen and VITO. Via its business platform, member companies gain direct access to precompetitive research, and to leading researchers in CO2 capture and conversion. The CO2-to-product business platform emulates the successful R2T platform of the water "fit for use" pipeline.

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            • Research Project

            IOF valorisation manager Infectious diseases and environmental health 15/02/2022 - 31/05/2023

            Abstract

            The multidisciplinary valorisation domain manager that coordinates the consortia related to infectious diseases and environmental health is responsible for the overall strategy and cooperation between the different PI's active in this broad research area. It is a senior profile who is strongly connected to industry and policy makers.

            Researcher(s)

            Research team(s)

              Project type(s)

              • Research Project

              Metropolitanism, Smart Cities, Mobility & Logistics (DSH) 01/12/2020 - 31/12/2023

              Abstract

              Antwerp is the economic stronghold of Flanders, thanks to its world port, the second largest chemical cluster, a strong creative sector, but above all a joint ambition to grow the region through innovation. The university's role has broadened to become a driving force for innovation, an innovative regional force in knowledge-intensive ecosystems. On the one hand by delivering well-trained people; on the other hand, by responding to the specific needs of the innovation ecosystem in which the university is embedded. Based on the strengths of the University of Antwerp combined with the characteristics of the Antwerp ecosystem, the university focuses on three valorisation domains. A pre-incubation structure is being set up within each of these domains to support and strengthen the valorisation processes within these different domains. This is an open innovation hub where physically the different actors of the relevant innovation ecosystem can meet to work together on innovation projects and to follow training programs. One of these valorisation domains set up is metropolitan areas, smart city, mobility and logistics. In this domain, collaborations on IoT and AI projects with applications in smart city, smart industry, smart port and logistics, smart mobility and smart building are set up from The Beacon. The Beacon is the result of a unique collaboration between the city, the port, the university, IMEC, Lantis and Agoria.

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                • Research Project

                Biomedical Microscopic Imaging and in-vivo Bio-Imaging (EGAMI). 01/01/2015 - 31/12/2020

                Abstract

                EGAMI stands for Expert Group Antwerp Molecular Imaging. Moreover, EGAMI is the mirror word of 'image'. EGAMI clusters the internationally recognized expertise in the profession of fundamental and biomedical imaging at the University of Antwerp: the Bio-Imaging Lab, the Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Radiology, the Laboratory for Cell Biology and Histology, and the Vision Lab (for post-processing of medical images). EGAMI's mission is providing an integrated research platform that comprises all aspects of multimodality translational medical imaging. Multimodality refers to the integration of information from the various imaging techniques. Within EGAMI, there is pre-clinical and clinical expertise and infrastructure for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). EGAMI executes projects ranging from applied biomedical (imaging) and fundamental research to imaging methodologies. Die applied biomedical research focusses on the research fields neuro(bio)logy (i.e. development and validation of biomarkers (as well as therapy evaluation) for diseases like Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis etc.) and oncology (i.e. biomarkers for improved patient stratification and therapy monitoring). Since the pre-clinical biomedical research within EGAMI makes use of miniaturized versions of imaging equipment for humans (scanners) is it inherently translational, in other words initial findings acquired in animal experiments can be translated into clinical applications for improved diagnosis and treatment of patients ('from bench to bedside'). Beside the application of imaging in the biomedical research, EGAMI also conducts projects that aim to achieve an improvement and optimization of the imaging methodology. The expertise of the MICA (e.g. the development of new radiotracers) and of the Vision Lab (e.g. the development of image reconstruction, segmentation, and analysis algorithms) offers here the strategic platform to assemble intellectual property rights.

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                Project type(s)

                • Research Project