The STM will be responsible for the coordination, management and implementation of the recruitment and evaluation process. The SMT will include members who are all affiliated to VUB’s TechTransfer Office and who have a track record in the follow-through of local, national and European programmes and calls. Each member is assisted by a deputy, who will take over in case of leave or absence.
Hugo Thienpont
Coordinator
Prof. dr. Hugo Thienpont has a strong track record in research and innovation, as Vice-Rector for Innovation and Industrial Policy, as director of the Research Group Brussels Photonics (B-Phot), and as coordinator of European projects such as flagship ACTPHAST 4.0. Up until now, he has been awared 14 awards including the 2005 SPIE President’s Award for meritious services to the Society, the 2013 Royal Flemish Academy for Sciences and the Arts Science Communication Award, and the 2019 VUB award for societal impact and valorization.
Sonja Haesen
Deputy Coordinator
Dr. Sonja Haesen holds a PhD in Biology and is director of VUB’s TechTransfer, the operational department behind the Vice-Rectorate for Innovation and Industrial Policy. She has been leading TechTransfer for the past 25 years and has built an extensive track record in connecting science and society. Under her leadership, VUB has launched 35 spin-offs (including Ablynx, Camel-IDS and Collibra), has a growing portfolio of patent families (142 active patent families in 2018) and has influenced societal debates through the creation of Crosstalks.
Philippe Westbroek
Programme Manager
Dr. Philippe Westbroek holds a PhD in Chemistry, has 20 years of experience in research and innovation, and an additional 10 years of experience in business development. He also has 15-year long experience as expert evaluator and (vice)-chair in the MSCA ITN and MSCA IF programmes, for both the ENV and CHEM panels. Within TechTransfer, he works as business developer focusing on European research and innovation.
Marc Goldchstein
Deputy Programme Manager
Marc Goldchstein has an extensive track record in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship training. He has conducted research on Venture Capital and innovative entrepreneurship, and has been actively involved in the start-up of 3 companies. Since 1995, he has been the driving force behind TechTransfer’s (Advanced) Starter Seminars introducing students and researchers to the basic principles of entrepreneurship; in 2005, he joined the Faculty of Economics teaching classes in business development and entrepreneurship; in 2015, he joined Erasmushogeschool Brussel to teach in the programme Idea and Innovation Management; and in 2018 he co-launched START.VUB, an initiative at VUB to coach students in their entrepreneurial projects.
Qing Cai
Deputy Programme Manager
Dr. Qing Cai holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences with a dissertation on genetic engineering in embryonic stem cells using zinc finger nucleases. During her postdoctoral career, she worked for imec as life science technology researcher implementing and improving biological assays on chip for in-vitro diagnostic tools. Additionally, she was involved in several ideation projects within the context of imec’s venture track. As such, she gained experience in business development, business plan writing and convincing internal/external experts of the proposed ideas. Within TechTransfer, she focuses on funding for impact development and entrepreneurship projects, while she is increasingly involved in Intellectual Property matters.
Mirko Miceli
Administrative and reporting manager
Mirko Miceli holds two MA degrees in Criminology and has a background in working with third sector organisations. At VUB, he has built up a track record in project administration and management (COST, Horizon 2020 and national funding).