Sandra Nauwelaerts unpaid staff Research Sandra Nauwelaerts Research team Functional Morphology Comparative functional and ecological morphology of the perissodactyl limb: insights into the adaptive evolution of the Equidae. 01/10/2016 - 30/09/2018 Abstract This project will investigate the evolutio…

Kristiaan D'Aout unpaid guest prof. Research Kristiaan D'Aout Research team Functional Morphology Analysis of the foot using finite-element modelling 01/01/2011 - 31/12/2012 Abstract The technique of finite-element modeling will be applied to a complex biological structure: the human foot. After con…

Functional Morphology search menu search content Hydrodynamics of gliding in the California sea lion Promoter: Sam Van Wassenbergh Co-promoter: Leonard Dewaele Subject: California sea lions are foreflipper-based swimmers, meaning they primarily generate thrust using their large, wing-like forelimbs.…

ECOSPHERE search menu search content Fresh water and marine fish ECOSPHERE investigates the pivotal role of fish in aquatic ecosystems through laboratory and field studies. Our facilities cater to both freshwater and marine fish, featuring ZebTec racks, individual tanks, aquaria, flow-through system…

ECOSPHERE search menu search content Available Master Thesis Topics Topics in the field of Physiological and molecular mechanisms of stress and toxicity: acclimatisation and homeostasis Understanding the endocrine disruptive effects of PFAS, present in complex environmental mixtures, on zebrafish em…

Functional Morphology search menu search content In the Media Beetle Battle on New York Times website Jana Goyens has staged stag beetle battles to solve the mystery of how the male beetles bite so hard. Watch the video on New York Times website A 'water tongue' to grab prey on land High-speed video…

Sam Van Wassenbergh associate research professor Sam Van Wassenbergh 2025: bird beaks and songs National public radio interview with Sam on bird beaks in relation to songs and feeding, including reports on research at FunMorph (link to sound recording - in Dutch). 2023: Superstar seed crackers Our r…

Veterinary physiology and biochemistry search menu search content Zebrafishlab Mechanistic Toxicology Development of non-animal test strategies Can we use zebrafish embryos and even simpler assays as an alternative to the current fish toxicity tests for chemical safety evaluation based on our unders…

Research group for Urban Development search menu search content Tara Op de Beeck Tara holds a degree in architectural engineering (2013, KULeuven) and urban planning (2017, UAntwerpen), she has worked as an urban planner and designer in various offices, for the department of Environment and Spatial …

Bruno Verbergt guest professor About Bruno Verbergt Bruno Verbergt Contact Stadscampus Show email address Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerpen, BEL Bruno Verbergt (Leuven, Belgium, 1964) is Master in Philosophy and in Business Administration. He was from 2004 till 2014 chief executive officer of the Cultur…

ECOSPHERE search menu search content VLIZ Marine Science Day best presentation award received by April Grace Opinion Published on 12/03/2025 On 5 March 2025, April Grace Opinion received the VLIZ Marine Science Day best predoc presentation award as part of the VLIZ Marine Science Day 2025. April Gra…

Functional Morphology search menu search content The shape of sound: otolith shape diversity in Lake Malawi cichlids Promoter: Sam Van Wassenbergh Supervisor: Joey Cabasan Subject: Otoliths, or earstones, are small calcified structures in the inner ear of fishes that play an essential role in hearin…

Functional Morphology search menu search content A broad range of motions Assessing the osteological range-of-motion in forelimbs of herbivorous semi-aquatic mammals Promoter: Jamie A. MacLaren Co-promoter: Sam Van Wassenbergh Subject: The range-of-motion of animal limb joints dictates (to a large e…

Peter Aerts emeritus with assignment Research Peter Aerts Research team Functional Morphology Expertise Kinesiological analyses. Belgian Alliance for Biomechanics. 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2029 Abstract The Belgian Alliance for Biomechanics (BAB) originates from the fundamental belief that the science of …

Gudrun De Boeck full professor Research Gudrun De Boeck Research team Ecosphere Expertise Main expertise: Toxicology and ecophysiology of marine and freshwater organisms under changing environmental conditions (due to natural and anthropogenic pressures) with a focus stress physiology, energy metabo…

Functional Morphology search menu search content What is the mustelid’s swimmers physique? Quantifying limb muscle architecture in semi-aquatic mustelids Promoter: Leonard Dewaele Supervision: Tim De Ridder Subject: Mustelids (weasels & allies) are a diverse clade of carnivoran mammals with a wide…

Functional Morphology search menu search content Do otters move like no ott(h)er? The kinematics of mustelid locomotion Promoter: Leonard Dewaele Co-promoter: Sam Van Wassenbergh Supervisor: Tim De Ridder Subject: Mustelids (weasels & allies) are a diverse clade of carnivoran mammals with a wide arr…

ECOSPHERE search menu search content 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 109 PhDs awarded throughout the history of our Research Group, encompassing thos…

Inclusive Design (courses and research) search menu search content Projects HYPERBRACE is a bionic device designed for professional workers in various fields. It is a motorized exoskeleton that assists with carrying heavy loads, performing repetitive strenuous movements, or simply engaging in everyd…

Ecoplan search menu search content Cultural services Cultural services Health effects of nature Many scientific studies show the importance of green areas for the physical and mental health of people living and visiting the area. Different mechanisms are linked: view and contact with nature contribu…

Sam Van Wassenbergh associate research professor Research Sam Van Wassenbergh Research team Functional Morphology Expertise Working as a researcher at the laboratory for Functional Morphology, I study how the anatomy and mechanical properties of the body of animals is adapted to fulfil its functions…

Social Sciences Karolien Poels Karolien Poels 1. What was your favourite subject during your student days? I had my first “aha! - I really find this interesting” moment during Professor Patrick Vyncke's “Semiotics” classes and later also during his classes on consumer behaviour. This led me …

Jamie Maclaren postdoc researcher FWO Research Jamie Maclaren Research team Functional Morphology Illustrated atlas of the tapir: a state-of-the-art comparative dissection, quantifying the functional morphology in an enigmatic ungulate. 01/04/2025 - 30/03/2026 Abstract Illustrated anatomy texts are …

Ecoplan search menu search content ECOPLAN quickscan ECOPLAN quickscan In addition to the tools for participation and consultation, ECOPLAN developed a tool for the spatial explicit valuation of 18 different ecosystem services. The main purpose of the QuickScan is to provide insight in potential cha…

Sam Van Wassenbergh associate research professor Sam Van Wassenbergh Publications - updated 25/10/2025 To respect copyright laws, request permission from the authors by email before downloading PDFs. 2025 Andries, T., Müller, W. & Van Wassenbergh, S. (2025). Feeding performance, kinematics and skil…