Videos

Vincent

Ogembo

VUB

Lake Victoria: How to predict future floods?

Flooding around Lake Victoria has become increasingly deadly — with hundreds of lives lost and millions affected in recent years. But better forecasting could make all the difference.
Vincent Ogembo (VUB) is developing a Integrated Water Balance Model, that brings together satellite data and lake outflow measurements to predict future flood scenarios up to 2100. This research will help governments anticipate rising water levels and issue early flood warnings before disaster strikes.

Luigi

Oddo

VUB

Tackling climate's impact on agriculture by studying history

Can studying history help farmers survive climate change?
Luigi Oddo, (VUB) studies how farming communities across Europe adapted to extreme weather centuries ago. By examining historical weather patterns, farming records, and even tree rings, he uncovers strategies that could help today’s farmers face the challenges of climate change.
His research shows that the past holds not just stories, but solutions.

Razieh

Shafiei Alavijeh

VUB

What are the advantages of fungal leather compared to traditional leather?

Can fungi really replace animal leather? Researcher Razieh (VUB) thinks so. Her work focuses on creating durable, leather-like materials from mycelium — the thread-like structure of fungi — without using synthetic additives. Made entirely from agricultural waste and reinforced with biodegradable fibres, this innovative material offers a cleaner, animal-free alternative to traditional leather.

Eric

Gaba

VUB

Making prosthetic sockets more sustainable using pineapple leaves

Eric Gaba (VUB) is rethinking how we build prosthetic sockets. Instead of carbon fibre, he’s developing an eco-friendly alternative using pineapple leaf fibres and plant-based resin.This biodegradable material is safer, cleaner, and cheaper — especially for clinics in low- and middle-income countries. A fresh take on sustainability in medical design.

Nishat

Hyder-Rahman

VUB

What makes your mother, your mother? Legal parenthood and assisted reproduction.

What makes someone a parent? In families formed through assisted reproduction, that answer isn’t always clear — and the law doesn’t always keep up.
Nishat Hyder-Rahman, researcher at VUB, is working on a legal framework that improves birth registration so that it reflects the real-life complexity of modern parenthood. Her research compares international approaches and listens to families, donors, and surrogates to develop better legal recognition.

Elisa

Duarte

UHasselt

How can we control the impact of air pollution on our health?

Every breath you take is a mix of particles. Some particles are essential to life, like oxygen, but others might be air pollutants from industry or transport that can harm your health. Completely pollutant-free air isn't realistic. While we can’t eliminate it completely, we can lower pollution levels to reduce health risks. That’s where researcher Elisa Duarte (UHasselt) steps in. Watch the video.

Nuran

Caz

UHasselt

Can we beat cancer with chemotherapy in a Trojan horse?

Chemotherapy has been an important weapon in the fight against cancer for decades. But unfortunately, it affects not only cancer cells, but also healthy cells - resulting in severe side effects. Doctoral student Nuran Caz wants to change this with her research. She is working on an innovative therapy in which the chemotherapy, as in the Trojan Horse, is hidden in order to target the unsuspecting cancer cells.

Yana

Vella

UHasselt

How brain cells filter out noise

Ever wondered how you can focus on a conversation with your friend while sitting in a noisy restaurant?

This is thanks to the filtering system in your brain—and a specific protein, the glycine receptor—which helps remove redundant signals. But when this system isn’t working properly, it may contribute to conditions like autism and psychosis. Yana Vella studies this receptor in an ingenious way to better understand how this filtering works and to improve future treatments.

Britt

Bocken

UHasselt

EU Green Deal: how to deal with unclear regulations?

How can we refine EU climate policies to better harness forests for capturing and storing carbon? That's the question Britt Bocken is exploring as she investigates the extensive and complex EU Green Deal - the EU's climate policy. She wants to clarify the complexities of this regulation, and examine how countries like Belgium apply the rules in practice, to see if there is room for improvement.

Imke

Hrycyk

UHasselt

Searching for the best physical training after spinal cord injury

Every year, up to half a million people worldwide suffer spinal cord injuries, often leading to partial or complete paralysis of the arms or legs. Remarkably, physical training can help restore movement and muscle control—even in partially paralyzed limbs. But how does this work? Imke Hrycyk explains the science behind it. Watch to learn more!

Amber

Jans

UHasselt

Dementia's double trouble: navigating between love and law

Amber Jans studies dementia—not as a doctor, but as a legal researcher. While a dementia diagnosis is primarily a medical issue, it also comes with important legal consequences, especially for families. Jans explores the challenges of creating a legal system that considers the interests of the person with dementia, their spouse, and their relationship as a couple.

Lindsay

Everaert

UHasselt

Movement, the fuel for successful learning!

Did you know that you can concentrate better and be more motivated if you learn while moving? Lindsay Everaert tells you why moving while learning is so effective and challenges you with an exercise in the video. Ready to test your brain?