Alumni

List of alumni and their research topics

Postdoctoral researchers:

Anna Bratek-Skicki - Postdoctoral researcher (2018-2023)
- Former topic: Characterizing and modulating toxicity of ALS/FTD-linked dipeptide repeats
- Now works as a PostDoc at the Polish Academy of Sciences
Mainak Guharoy - Postdoctoral researcher (2012-2020)
- Former topic: Regulated protein degradation in the ubiquitin-proteasome system
- Now works at VIB Bioinformatics Core
Kris Pauwels - Postdoctoral researcher (2011-2018)
- Former topic: De novo designed calpastatin-like constructs to recognize human calpain
- Now works at VUB Research & Grant Office
Jesper S. Øemig - Postdoctoral researcher (2014-2018)
- Structural characterization of the human AR-v7
- Now works at ACG Biologics in the Downstream Process Development department
Dénes Kovács - Postdoctoral researcher (2011-2017)
- Former topics: (1) Liquid-liquid phase separation of C9orf72 dipeptide repeats;
  and (2) Structural-functional characterization of ERD14 from A. thaliana
- Now works at UCB as a project lead in CNS therapeutic area, early discovery and preclinical development
Fabien Kieken - Postdoctoral researcher (2014-2017)
- Former topics: NMR structure of the Fyn tandem SH2-SH3 domain
- Now works at GSK for the Vaccines Division
Pierre Lebrun - Postdoctoral researcher (2012-2016)
- Former topics: (1) Structural investigation of human Hint1 mutants;
  and (2) Quantification of intrinsically disordered proteins
- Now works at Innobiochips as an R&D Project Leader
Thu Thanh Tran - Postdoctoral researcher (2012-2016)
- Former topic: In planta functional characterization of ERD14 from A. thaliana
- Now retired
Angéla Békési - Postdoctoral researcher (2011-2016)
- Former topic: Structural-functional characterization of IDRs in CBP
- Now works at BME, Budapest as a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher
Maksym Tsytlonok - Postdoctoral researcher (2012-2015)
- Former topic: A multi-step mechanism for the specific binding of p27 with Cdk2/Cyclin A
- Now works at ERC as a Scientific Officer
Simone Kosol - Postdoctoral researcher (2011-2014)
- Former topic: NMR-based structural characterization of IDRs in CBP
- Now works at TU Berlin as a Postdoctoral researcher

PhD researchers:

Rob Geens - PhD researcher (2019-2024)
- Former topic: Investigating the role of intrinsic disorder in the circumsporozoite protein from the malaria parasite
- Now works as PostDoc at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp

Joris Van Lindt - PhD researcher (2018-2023)
- Former topic: Liquid-liquid phase separation of ALS-related proteins and related method development
- Now works as a PostDoc at VIB-KUL Center for Brain Disease & Leuven Brain Institute
Junaid Ahmed - PhD researcher (2017-2023)
- Former topics: (1) Interactions and liquid-liquid phase separation of androgen receptor;
  and (2) Inhibition of the pathogenic phase separation and aggregation of C9orf72-derived dipeptide repeats
- Now works at GSK on vaccine development
Donya Pakravan - PhD researcher (2018-2022)
- Former topic: Investigating FUS and TDP-43 aggregation and phase separation in the context of ALS/FTD
- Now works as a Senior associate at Deallus life science consulting (UK)
Phuong Nhu Nguyen - PhD researcher (2015-2021)
- Former topic: In planta functional characterization of ERD14 from A. thaliana
- Now works as a Scientific consultant at Pauwels Consulting
Hung Huy Nguyen - PhD researcher (2013-2020)
- Former topic: De novo designed calpastatin-like constructs to recognize human calpain
- Now works at KU Leuven - Switch Lab as a Staff expert in protein purification
Mauricio Macossay Castillo - PhD researcher (2013-2020)
- Former topics: (1) IDPs enable functional diversity while minimizing promiscuity;
  and (2) Computational analysis of translational readthrough proteins;
  and (3) Synonymous constraint elements show a tendency to encode IDRs.
- Now employed as a Scientist at Medpace
Sara Contreras-Martos - PhD researcher (2012-2017)
- Former topic: Structural-functional characterization of IDRs in CBP
- Now works at ICS, Barcelona as a Research technician
Mohamed Sallam - PhD researcher (2013-2017)
- Former topic: Structural characterization of the human AR-v7
- Now works as a Researcher at Griffith Univerity
Nevena Hristozova - PhD researcher (2011-2017)
- Former topic: Structural-functional characterization of ERD14 from A. thaliana
- Now works at CropLife International as a Regulatory Affairs Manager
Cesyen Cedeno - PhD researcher (2011-2017)
- Former topic: NMR-based structural characterization of ERD10 & ERD14 from A. thaliana
- Now works as a Researcher at VUB Medical Campus
Fruzsina Zsólyomi - PhD researcher (2013-2016)
- Former topic: Functional advantages of conserved intrinsic disorder in RNA-binding proteins
- Now works at Morgan Stanley as an Automation engineer
Pallab Bhowmick - PhD researcher (2011-2016)
- Former topic: Regulated protein degradation in the ubiquitin-proteasome system
- Now works at Amaris Consulting as a Data Scientist Consultant
Mihály Váradi - PhD researcher (2011-2015)
- Former topics: (1) Functional advantages of conserved intrinsic disorder in RNA-binding proteins;
  and (2) pE-DB 1.0: The Protein Ensemble Database;
  and (3) Quantification and classification of evolutionary conservation of IDPs.
- Now works at Sanofi as a Technical AI Project Manager
Rita Pancsa - PhD researcher (2011-2015)
- Former topics: (1) Prediction of highly dynamic and intrinsically disordered protein regions;
  and (2) Computational analysis of translational readthrough proteins;
  and (3) Synonymous constraint elements show a tendency to encode IDRs.
- Now works at the Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (Hungary) as a Postdoctoral researcher

Lab managers and technicians:

Karolien Van Belle - Lab manager and technician (2012-2021)
- Now works at VIB Technologies in Ghent
Ivo Van Overstraeten - Lab manager and technician (2013-2018)
- Now works at Archer Daniels Midland in Antwerp
Giulio Marvelli - Lab technician (2017-2018)
Sara Abdellaoui - Lab technician (2015-2016)

Alumni on ResearchGate