About Me

I am a postdoctoral research fellow and a 10% research assistant professor at the Department of Bio-engineering Sciences, Microbiology at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). My research pioneers the development of engineered living materials—materials in which fungi remain alive, enabling them to regenerate and self-heal.

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, I explore how to sustain fungal viability over time, uncover the relationship between material properties and fungal gene expression, and investigate self-repair mechanisms. These insights shape the design of next-generation reactive, self-sustaining fabrics. Additionally, I contribute to the FUNGATERIA project, a European Union Horizon-EIC-2021-Pathfinder initiative that merges microbiology and material science to create living materials with autonomous functionalities.

Research Journey

I have also been a Postdoctoral Research Associate (2021-2022) at Newcastle University’s Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (UK). As part of the “Living Construction” research group led by Prof. Martyn Dade-Robertson and Meng Zhang, I advanced the study of Living Mycelium Materials, focusing on fungal self-healing mechanisms. My work also contributed to the Bioknit Pavilion, an exploration of biocompatible knitted textiles as scaffolds for mycelium growth, demonstrating how fabric-based structures can support biological matter in forming complex architectural forms.

My PhD in Engineering (2017-2021) at VUB spanned biology, mycology, materials science, and design, with my dissertation, “Mycelium Matters,” being among the first to comprehensively characterize the key factors influencing the biological and material properties of mycelium composites. I also integrated robotic fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing and robotic wire-cutting, into my research, expanding the potential of mycelium materials in biodesign and architecture.

During my doctoral research, I initiated new interdepartmental collaborations between Architectural Engineering, Microbiology, and Physical Chemistry at VUB—bridging disciplines that previously had little interaction. My interest in digital materiality also led me to a research stay at KADK (Copenhagen, 2019-2020), where I explored how spatial and environmental configurations influence the material behaviour of living systems.

Beyond Academia

In 2018, I co-founded Glimps.bio, a Belgian innovation agency focused on circular bio-design solutions for the biotech and waste industries. I served on the Board of Directors until 2023, helping shape projects that transform waste into new bio-based materials.

My passion for interdisciplinary collaboration has connected me with bioengineers, materials scientists, mycologists, designers, and industry partners, fostering a global network of experts dedicated to the future of biodesign and sustainable materials. This journey traces back to my early experiments at ReaGent, an open biolab in Ghent, where I co-initiated biofabforum.org, led workshops, and co-developed free educational content on biodesign in collaboration with Ekoli.

Architectural Roots

I hold a Master of Science in Architecture (2012) from KU Leuven (Sint-Lucas Brussels) and started my career as an architect at L.A.V.A. (Berlin) and Ney & Partners (Belgium), where I worked on six footbridges in Leiden (NL). My background in structural engineering and architectural design continues to inform my research in biological materials, blending technology, sustainability, and creativity.

A Vision for the Future

At the intersection of biology, engineering, and design, I am driven by the challenge of reshaping how we think about materials. By integrating fungal intelligence into engineered living systems, I aim to create materials that not only sustain themselves but also adapt, heal, and contribute to a more regenerative and circular future.