Science VUB Fellows

“‘ACADEMIA MEETS SOCIETY’ IS A GREAT INITIATIVE TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE. IT IS A STEP TOWARDS ‘ONE WORLD, ONE TEAM’.”

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ROYAL MUSEUM FOR CENTRAL AFRICA

Proximus Nico Koedam

Guido Gryseels is an economist by training, specialised in agricultural and development economics. He has had an international academic career with the International Livestock Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and as head of service at the Food & Agriculture Organisation in Rome. Since 2001 he has been Director-General at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, near Brussels. The museum has a unique, world-class African collection. As well as presenting this collection, it also carries out high-level geological, ethnographic, historical and biological research.

The museum has partnerships and collaborative research activities in 12 African countries and contributes to the training of 150 African scientists every year. VUB carries out research activities in domains closely related to the museum. In collaboration with Gryseels, VUB wants to more closely study the museum’s existing collections. Thanks to the Fellowship, VUB students will have the chance to do internships at the Africa Museum.

GUIDO GRYSEELS

MICHÈLE OLEO

“I AM CONVINCED THAT JOINING FORCES INTERNATIONALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF COMPLEX, EXPENSIVE RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES BOOSTS EXCELLENT RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN ALL SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES FOR THE BENEFIT OF LOCAL AND GLOBAL SOCIETAL CHALLENGES. AS A FELLOW I WILL BE HAPPY TO SHARE MY EXPERTISE.”

POLICY ADVISOR, FLEMISH GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT ECONOMY, SCIENCE & INNOVATION

Proximus Jan Steyaert

Michèle Oleo is a VUB alumna. After studying biology and botany in 1985 she gained her PhD in 1991 in plant genetics under Professor Michel Jacobs. After her studies she worked from 1999 to 2009 in various ministerial cabinets at Flemish and federal level. Science and innovation policy was partly drawn up under her guidance.

At Flanders’ Department of Economy, Science & Innovation, she has coordinated the participation of Flemish researchers at several fora such as the ESFRI Forum since 2015. She sits on various European research infrastructures boards and works closely with the FWO. Oleo’s network within ESFRI will facilitate VUB participation in new and existing research infrastructures in the European interest.