Meet the Laboratory for Applied Molecular Genetics at the Department of Biotechnology of Ghent University (updated: October 2025).
Prof. Dr. Em. Lieve Gheysen
Professor Emeritus
I served as a professor at Ghent University from 1993 to 2024, specializing in two main areas: the molecular analysis of interactions between plants and pests/pathogens—particularly plant-parasitic nematodes—and the application of biotechnology and science communication. My work placed special emphasis on development cooperation and capacity building. Throughout my academic career, I taught numerous courses in molecular biology, cell biology, gene technology, and plant biotechnology. As an emeritus professor, I continue to teach molecular biology and plant-nematode interactions. I also remain actively involved in supporting the mission of the International Plant Biotechnology Outreach (IPBO).
Alumni
Alejandro Calderon-Urrea : visiting scientist from California State University (2003-2004)
Andreas Niebel ( PhD in 1994)
Annelies Haegeman ( PhD in 2009)
Asnake Fikre ( PhD in 2008)
Bart Van Droogenbroeck ( PhD in 2004)
Bartel Vanholme ( PhD in 2004)
Beth Waweru ( PhD in 2025)
Boris Stojilkovic ( PhD in 2023)
Buncha Chinnasri : visiting scientist (2014-2015)
Cecilia Wanjau ( PhD in 2024)
Daniël Vandamme ( PhD in 2006)
Diana Naalden ( PhD in 2018)
Dora Quispe ( PhD in 2018)
Edouard Idrissa Rachid Sanou ( PhD in 2019)
Elke Van de Cappelle ( PhD in 2006)
Eva Plovie ( PhD in 2003)
Gaofeng Wang : Visiting scientist from Hunan Agriculture University, China (2022-2023)
Halbay Turumtay ( PhD in 2014)
Hannes Lefevere ( PhD in 2023)
Henok Zemene Yimer ( PhD in 2018)
Henry Shaykins Mwaka ( PhD in 2025)
Hongli Ji ( PhD in 2014)
Hui Xiang ( PhD in 2025)
Huy Nguyen Xuan
Isabel Vercauteren ( PhD in 1999)
Jan de Meutter ( PhD in 2002)
Jasmien Maes ( PhD in 2017)
Jing Liu : visiting scientist from Hunan Agriculture University, China (2020-2022)
Joachim Jacob ( PhD in 2009)
Kamrun Nahar ( PhD in 2012)
Kan Zhuo : visiting scientist from South China Agricultural University (2017)
Katterine Prentice Muro ( PhD in 2018)
Kennedy Pkania ( PhD in 2016)
Lander Bauters ( PhD in 2015) : Currently working as educational supervisor in the Molecular Biotechnology research lab.
Lena Vlaminck ( PhD in 2020)
Mansour Karimi ( PhD in 1999)
Marc Reynders ( PhD in 2013)
Mei Yuanyuan ( PhD in 2015)
Nathalie Barthels ( PhD in 1999)
Njira Njira Pili ( PhD in 2016)
Shakhina Khanam ( PhD in 2016)
Soumi Joseph ( PhD in 2013)
Thijs Machtelinckx ( PhD in 2012)
Tina Kyndt ( PhD in 2005) : Currently running her own researchgroup EPIC within the Molecular Biotechnology lab.
Tom Tytgat ( PhD in 2003)
Tran Nhan Dung ( PhD in 2007)
Walter Van der Eycken ( PhD in 1994)
Wenkun Huang : visiting scientist from Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing (2014-2015)
