Kytos @ UGent

Ruben is an expert in flow cytometry data acquisition and bioinformatic analysis of complex environmental matrices. He has contributed strongly to the fields of single-cell and metagenomic microbial analysis over the past four years, including the introduction of novel methods to track microbial communities and quantify microbial population abundances. In particular, he has developed flow cytometry tools for tracking microbial disturbances in bioprocesses, and integrated these in real-time data acquisition platforms. He maintains strong international relationships with leading institutes such as the University of Michigan (USA) and Eawag (CH).

Frederiek-Maarten (F.M.) Kerckhof has a broad technical experience in molecular techniques and flow cytometry. Additionally, regarding management skills, F.M. has been the coordinating postdoc in the final 1.5 years of a federally funded inter-university attraction pole programme (IUAP) on microbial resource management (mrm.ugent.be). In this context, F.M. has facilitating communication and shared workflows towards common goals. Furthermore, FM has sharpened his business skills by entering business competitions and an external Mini-MBA in 2018 (Balinca+ by thrivingbusinesscommunity.com).

Prof. Dr. ir. Nico Boon is a Full Professor at the Center of Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET, Ghent University). Since 1998 his research has focused on the microbial ecology of soil, aquifer, aquaculture systems, drinking water and activated sludge systems. The areas of interests have been the development of molecular and optical methods for the qualitative and quantitative description of microorganisms.

Prof. dr. ir. Bart De Gusseme was appointed 10% Professor (docent) at the Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology of Ghent University in 2015, where he teaches the courses ‘Microbial Ecology and Environmental Sanitation’ and ‘Microbial Reuse Technology’, and gives guest lectures on drinking water production and water reuse.

Dr. ir. Bart Hommez is an IOF business developer within UGent’s ChemTech valorization consortium. Bart holds a PhD in polymer science from Ghent University. He worked for 10 years at Texaco/Chevron in R&D and marketing positions. Subsequently, he worked for 2 years at the Innovation Centra supporting SME’s to develop innovation strategies.

Dr. ir. Margriet Drouillon, MBA –senior business developer (IOF) at Ghent University and acts as Chief Business Officer for the University's Research & Development (R&D) activities in the field of aquaculture. She has more than 10 years of experience in life sciences technology transfer, more specifically in the fields of aquaculture, renewables, biobased economy and bioproducts (industrial biotechnology, biocatalysis, green chemistry).