I am an associate professor in the Bioengineering Faculty at KU Leuven. My research combines computational and experimental approaches, with a focus on genetics and embryonic development.

In genetics, I study the interaction between genotype and adaptation, examining how genetic variation influences evolutionary processes.

In embryonic development, my group studies the robustness of C. elegans embryogenesis, a system notable for its reproducibility and complexity during rapid development. We systematically image cell shapes and force-generating proteins in the embryo. To analyze these data, my group develops computational tools that describe shapes in 3D and over time, enabling quantitative and systematic investigations of morphogenetic processes. Detailed analyses of cell shapes also provide insights into how mechanical forces contribute to tissue formation. On the experimental side, we characterize development using genetic screens and optogenetic perturbations to probe underlying mechanisms.