PhD Thesis

At ECOSPHERE, we are dedicated to empowering young scientists in obtaining their PhD diplomas and pursuing careers in academia. Below, you'll find an extensive list of the 114 PhDs awarded throughout the history of our Research Group, encompassing those from the two precursor research groups from which ECOSPHERE emerged. Where available, links to open access are provided. Additionally, the accompanying images showcase the five most recent achievements.

Jenevieve HARA

Elucidating the Biological Reactivity of (Aged) Micro- and Nanoplastics particles in Marine Invertebrates​

Supervisors:Prof. Dr. Raewyn M. Town, Prof. Dr. Jana Asselman, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Colin R. Janssen

Malaurie HONS

Towards integrated river restoration: Multimetric ecological assessment across aquatic and riparian ecosystems​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jonas Schoelynck 

Sarah HAUTEKIET

​The biotic and abiotic interactions affecting early development of tidal marsh ecosystems​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr.  Stijn Temmerman, Prof. Dr. Maarten G. Kleinhans

Wilson SAWASAWA

​The population genomic structure, physiology and behaviour of commercially important Malawi cichlid fishes​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Hannes Svardal, Gudrun De Boeck

Marie Roos SIOEN

An Ecotoxicological Approach Towards the Understanding of the Impacts of Micro- and Nanoplastics in the Marine Environment

Supervisors: Prof. dr. Jana Asselman, Prof. dr. Colin Janssen, Prof. dr. Raewyn M. Town, and Prof. dr. Ronny Blust

Heleen KEIRSEBELIK

​A Century of Chinese Mitten Crab Invasion: Lessons learnt on the ecology and behaviour of the species in Belgium.​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jonas Schoelynck

Sabiha AKTER

​Getting A Burn-Out: How Heatwave Impact Eutrophic Freshwater ecosystem​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck, Prof. Dr. Jonas Schoelynck

Dorian BAS ​

​Multiscale assessment of microphytobenthic biomass and functioning along an estuarine gradient using remote sensing​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Koen Sabbe, Prof. Dr. Daphne van der Wal

Maede GAZOR ​

​Intertidal Areas as Accommodation Space for Suspended Sediments Case Study: Scheldt Estuary​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

April Grace OPINION ​

​Chronic stress-induced cardiac remodelling in salmonids and its influence on organismal performance​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck, Prof. Dr. Johan Aerts

Jet RIJNDERS ​

Assessing the role of enhanced weathering in sustainable agriculture: Benefits and risks for crop growth in a temperate climate

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Sara Vicca, Prof. Dr. Jonas Schoelynck

Cara ​BYNS ​

​Bioaccumulation, ecological effects, and monitoring of PFAS in aquatic ecosystems​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Dr. Thimo Groffen

Ignace PELCKMANS ​

Nature-based mitigation of flood risks by mangrove forests in a tropical river delta

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman

Robin LASTERS 

​Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in private gardens: factors affecting accumulation in homegrown food and characterization of human exposure risk​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Marcel Eens

Sanah MAJID 

​Comparative analysis of metal toxicity responses in aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate model organisms​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Karen Smeets

Gunter FLIPKENS 

​Coastal enhanced olivine weathering for climate change mitigation: investigating the CO₂ sequestration potential and ecotoxicological risks​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Raewyn M. Town

Niels VAN PUTTE 

​Improving groundwater dynamics: a key factor for successful tidal marsh restoration!​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Goedele Verreydt, Prof. Ir. Piet Seuntjens

Lies TEUNEN 

​The relevance of environmental quality standards for biota in the evaluation of the ecological quality of aquatic ecosystems​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Ken SCHOUTENS 

​Wetlands for dry land: role of bio-physical interactions in tidal marshes for nature-based shoreline protection​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman

Dante HOREMANS 

​Unraveling the coupled large-scale suspended sediment and phytoplankton dynamics in a turbid and tide-dominated estuary​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Dr. Ir. Tom J. S. Cox

Giovanni CASTALDO 

​Mixed metal and temperature stress in aquatic environments: establishing functional links across different levels of organisation​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Bossissi NKUBA 

​Metal pollution and intoxication from artisanal gold mining in Kamituga, Eastern Congo​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Landry Cizungu, Prof. Dr. Sara Geenen

Rosanne REITSEMA 

​Effects of climate change on growth and development of Berula erecta as model species for freshwater macrophytes​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Jonas Schoelynck, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Nico WOLMARANS

​Ecological risk assessment of amphibians in the Phongolo River floodplain​

Supervisors: ​Prof. Dr. Victor Wepener, Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Ali PILEHVAR 

​Interactive effects of metal ions and other environmental stressors on Zebrafish (Danio rerio): evidence from toxicological and behavioural approaches ​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Raewyn M. Town

Iván LOAIZA ALAMO 

​Marine species associated to Peruvian scallop Argopecten purpuratus culture : trophic interactions and contaminant exposure​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Marleen De Troch, Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck

Thimo GROFFEN 

​Toxicity of Perfluoralkyl Substances (PFASs) to terrestrial invertebrates and songbirds​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Marcel Eens

Jyotsna SHRIVASTAVA 

​​Ammonia and acid-base regulation in fish: modulating effects of challenging environments​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck

Marjolein VAN GINNEKEN 

​The combined effects of metal mixtures and natural stressors on aquatic invertabrates: Relating changes in metal accumulation to altered behavior and ecological effects​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Sofie MOYSON 

​Toxic effects of single and combined metals at the individual and population level of C. elegans​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Dr. Steven J. Husson, Prof. Dr. Geert Baggerman

Jan-Willem WOLTERS 

​Trophic and non-trophic interactions between macrophytes and macroinvertebrates in lowland streams​

Supervisors: Dr. Ralf C. M. Verdonschot, Dr. Jonas Schoelynck, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Dirk VREBOS 

​Understanding flows for integrated catchment management: water, quality and ecosystem services​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Dr. Jan Staes

Boris KRIVOSHIEV 

The use of in vitro assays in toxicological screening of flame retardants: towards comprehensive risk assessment

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Steven Husson​

Rebecca VAN COPPENOLLE 

​Potential for nature-based mitigation of coastal flood risks – From regional to global scale assessments​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman

Katrien VAN DER BIEST 

​Ecosystem-functioning approaches for assessing and managing ecosystem services​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Dácil UNZUE-BELMONTE 

​Anthropogenic impacts on the properties and the distribution of the terrestrial biogenic silica pool​

Supervisors: Dr. Eric Struyf, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Ali ERFANI AGAH 

​Influence of wastewater on the transport and transformation in irrigated soils​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr Patrick Meire, Dr. Eric De Deckere

Charlotte PHILIPPE 

The annual killifish Nothobranchius furzeri as a new fish model in long-term ecotoxicological research

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Luc Brendonck, Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck

Lennert SCHEPERS 

Spatial patterns and bio-geomorphological effects of vegetation loss in a submerging coastal marsh

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman

Alanna Jane ​REBELO 

​Ecosystem Services of Palmiete Wetlands: The Role of Ecosystem Composition and function​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Karen Esler

Makarius C.S. LALIKA 

​Potential for payments for Watershed services and climate change adaption in Pangani River Basin, Tanzania​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Yonika Mathew Ngaga

Veerle VERSCHOREN 

​Spatial pattern formation of macrophytes: an integrated model for the management of lowland rivers​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Jeroen STARK 

​Effects of intertidal ecosystems on estuarine hydrodynamics and flood wave attenuation: a multi-scale study​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Annelies BOEREMA 

Ecosystem services: study of human influences on nature and the efforts for society

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Ir. Steven Van Passel

Sophie ​CHAMBORD 

​Rôle du méso-zooplancton dans un estuaire restauré : l’Escaut​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Michèle Tackx, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Sami Souissi

Saskia ROGGEMAN ​

Exposure, accumulation, detoxification and effects of metals on large grazers: cattle (Bos taurus) and horses (Equus caballus)

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets

Alexandra SILINSKI ​

​Bio-physical interactions in the pioneer zone of expanding tidal marshes​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Peter Troch

Floor VANDEVENNE ​

​Tracing human imprints on the terrestrial cycle​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Dr. Eric Struyf

Lucia BARAO ​

​Biogenic and non-biogenic Si pools in terrestrials ecosystems: results from a novel analysis method​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Dr. Eric Struyf

Magdalena BOSHOFF ​

​Accumulation and effects of trace metals in terrestrial food webs from polluted ecosystems in Flanders​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets

Nander VAN PRAET ​

​Effects of environmental contaminants on aquatic macro-invertebrates using sublethal bio-indicators​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Robby Stoks

Nathalie ADAM ​

​The bioavailability and toxicity of ZnO, CuO and SiO₂ nanoparticles to aquatic organisms​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Dries Knapen

Evy VAN AEL ​

​Persistent organic pollutants and metals in aquatic ecosystems: distribution, bioaccumulation and effects on communities​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Anna PEREIRA-FERNANDES ​

Development of an in vitro screening system for detection of obesogenic substances in the environment

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Wendy D'HOLLANDER ​

​Perfluoroalkyl acids in Belgium: Distribution in the environment and human exposure​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Pim de Voogt

Chen WANG ​

​Biogeomorphic regime shifts between vegetated and bare states in tidal wetlands​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman

Lise FIVEZ ​

​Biochemical cycling in wetlands : Goose influences​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Jan STAES ​

​Application of ecosystems services for integrated land, soil and water management​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Khuong DINH VAN ​

Joint effects of Global warming and pollutants on damselflies

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Robby Stoks, Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets

Hon Jung LIEW ​

Metabolic strategies in freshwater teleost under stress – Consequences of feeding and swimming​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck

Tine HECTORS ​

​A role for environmental pollutants in diabetes? State of the science and evaluation of in vitro models for identification of diabetogenic metabolic disruptors​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Dr. Caroline Vanparys

Amit Kumar SINHA ​

​Ammonia handling in freshwater teleosts: a comparative study​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck

Liesbeth WEIJS ​

​Development of physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for the bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in marine mammals​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Adrian Covaci, Prof. Dr. Krishna Das

Ingrid NOBELS ​

​Exploring the application domains of a human and bacterial multiple endpoint reporter assay in environmental risk assessment​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Kateřina KOPALOVÁ ​

​Taxonomy, ecology and biogeography of aquatic and limno-terrestrial diatoms (Bacillariophyta) in the Maritime Antarctic Region​

Supervisors: Dr. Linda Nedbalová, Prof. Dr. Bart Van de Vijver

Marijke OOMS ​

​Potentials and limitations of testate amoebae from tidal marshes as bio-indicators of environmental change in the Scheldt estuary​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman, Prof. Dr. Louis Beyens

Sophie GOMBEER ​

​Development of a biodiversity-chip for the biomonitoring of benthic macroinvertebrates in Flanders: a case-study of caddisflies (Trichoptera; Insecta)​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Dries Knapen

Isabelle LARDON ​

H-NMR based metabolomics to explore the anoxia/hypoxia tolerance strategies in fresh water and marine fish​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck, Prof. Dr. Roger Dommisse

Jaytry MEHTA ​

​Potential biorecognition elements for food and environmental sensors: selection and characterization of aptamers​

Supervisors: Dr. Johan Robbens, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Lucia VERGAUWEN 

​Effect of temperature on cadmium toxicity in zebrafish: from transcriptome to physiology​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Dries Knapen, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Maarten DE JONGE​

​Influences of sediment geochemistry on metal bioavailability and effects on macroinvertebrate communities​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Marleen EYCKMANS ​

​Defense mechanisms of fish with different sensitivities to copper: in depth analysis of gill physiology​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck

Nathalie DOM ​

​Alternative testing methods in environmental risk assessment: standard bioassays and prediction tools versus biology-based mechanistic approaches​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Dries Knapen

Johannes TEUCHIES ​

​The biogeochemical cycle of metals in natural freshwater tidal marshes and in flood control areas​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets

Wout OPDEKAMP ​

Community composition and functional diversity in riparian wetlands: interactions between hydrology and competition​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Dr. Ruurd van Diggelen

Andrey N. TSYGANOV ​

​Climatic controls on testate amoeba assemblages in arctic and subarctic terrestrial ecosystems​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Louis Beyens

Olivier BEAUCHARD ​

​Tidal Freshwater habitat restoration through controlled reduced tide system: a multi-level assessment​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Dr. Sander Jacobs

Bieke VAN DORST ​

​The use of phage display as an innovative approach in environmental research​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Dr. Johan Robbens

Wim DE SCHEPPER ​

​Advanced oxidation processes as a way to treat concentrate: Ecotoxicological testing aided optimization of a (waste)water treatment process​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Luc Geuens

Jonas SCHOELYNCK ​

​Macrophte patches as biogeochemical hotspots: what is the impact on river water quality?​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman

Wouter VANDENBRUWAENE ​

​Tidal channel development and the role of vegetation. Fundamental insights and application for tidal marsh restoration​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Stijn Temmerman, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Stefan VAN DAMME 

​Water quality and the Estuarine Environment: Spatio temporal patterns and opportunities for restoration with emphasis on nitrogen removal​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. ir. Oswald Van Cleemput

Claudia SCHMITT 

Effect directed analysis and ecological relevance – Potamopyrgus antipodarum as a bridge between the lab and the field

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Eric De Deckere, Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Caroline VANPARYS 

Development of in vitro screening systems for classification of endocrine disrupting compounds: an ‘omics’ approach

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Wim De Coen, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

An JAMERS ​

Effects of oxidative stress on the chlorophyt Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: an integrative approach

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Wim De Coen, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Frouke VERMEULEN​

Spatially explicit exposure assessment of persistent pollutants through the food chain of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Wim De Coen, Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets

Irina KOMJAROVA​

​Uptake of Trace Metals in Aquatic Organisms: A Stable Isotope Experiment​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Sander JACOBS​

​Silica cycling and vegetation development in a restored freshwater tidal marsh​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Dr. Eric Struyf

Kris BAL​

Interactions between macrophyte ecology and hydraulic functioning of lowland

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Freddy DARDENNE ​

Relevance and validation of bacterial stress gene assays in environmental toxicology

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Christian TUDORACHE ​

Aspects of swimming physiology and behaviour consequences for migrating fish​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Tom COX ​

Oxygen and primary production in the freshwater reaches of the Schelde estuary

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Karline Soetaert

Shodja HASHEMI  

Interactions between food quantity and waterborne copper toxicity in carp, Cyprinus carpio

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Hans REYNDERS 

Characterization and dynamics of cadmium toxicity in carp

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Wim De Coen

Valentine K. MUBIANA ​

Delineating factors influencing uptake and accumulation of heavy metals by the common mussel Mytilus edulis

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Damien ROGIVAL ​

An integrated study of the relation between exposure and accumulation of metal in the woodmouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Dr. Jan Scheirs

Judith VOETS 

Accumulation and effects of trace metals in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymporpha)

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets, Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Dries KNAPEN ​

Genetic adaptation to heavy metals in natural populations of the gudgeon (Gobio gobio)

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Erik Verheyen

Karlijn VAN DER VEN ​

Toxicity identification and evaluation of neuro-active chemicals in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Wim De Coen, Prof. Dr. Gudrun De Boeck

Kris VAN LOOY ​

​River Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation. A disorder approach​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Eckhart Kuijken

Erik STEEN REDEKER 

Metal accumulation kinetics in an aquatic oligochaete: Relations with availability and toxicity

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Eric STRUYF 

​The role of freshwater marshes in estuarine silica cycling (Scheldt Estuary)​

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire, Prof. Dr. Jack Middelburg

Karen VAN CAMPENHOUT 

Relationship between metal accumulation, speciation and toxicity in freshwater fish

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Dr. Lieven Bervoets

Mohssine EL KAHLOUN 

​Vegetation dynamics in P-limited rich fens​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Maxim ZAKHARTSEV 

Mechanisms of adaptation to seasonal temperature variation in marine fish (Gadus morhua and Zoarces viviparus)

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust

Roel SMOLDERS 

The influence of industrial effluent on the aquatic ecosystem. An ecological, physicochemical and ecotoxicological analysis

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust, Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets

Ellen JANSSENS 

Onderzoek naar de bruikbaarheid van veren van mezen als bio-indicatoren voor zware metalenverontreiniging, en naar de effecten van deze verontreiniging op de reproductie en gezondheidstoestand

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Marcel Eens, Prof. Dr. Lieven Bervoets

Mohammed Jasim CHOWDURY 

Bioavailability of strontium to the common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Supervisor: Dr. Ronny Blust

Tom YSEBAERT 

​Macrozoobenthos and waterbirds in the estuarine environment: spatio-temporal patterns at different scales​

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Patrick Meire

Hans DE SMET 

Biochemical aspects of the uptake and accumulation of cadmium by the common carp Cyprinus carpio

Supervisor: Dr. Ronny Blust

Luc VAN GINNEKEN 

Analytical and biological aspects of cadmium and zinc availability for the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, in complexing environments

Supervisor: Dr. Ronny Blust

Marc BAILLIEUL 

Response of the waterflea, Daphnia magna Straus to environmental stress: scope for growth, reproduction and swimming activity

Supervisor: Dr. Ronny Blust

Gudrun DE BOECK 

Physiological effects of sublethal copper exposure on the energy metabolism of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Supervisor: Dr. Ronny Blust

Lieven BERVOETS 

Effects of environmental factors on the uptake of some trace metals by larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius

Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Rudolf F. Verheyen, Dr. Ronny Blust