Name "Responsible (Organisation)" "Activity (Organisation)" "Affiliation (Researcher)" "Mojtaba Chehelcheraghi" "Brain and Cognition" "Chie Nakatani" "Brain and Cognition" "Carolina Varon Perez" "Leen Joos" "Applied Physics" "Jan Danckaert" "We are a group of enthusiastic multidisciplinary young researchers from both the Departments of Applied Physics and Photonics (TONA) and Physics (DNTK). We use experimental and theoretical methods (nonlinear dynamics, stochastic processes, complex systems, electromagnetism, general relativity, etc.) to tackle and answer some fundamental challenges about nonlinear, complex and time-evolving systems. This combination allows an imaginative and insightful approach to problems, thereby avoiding the ""fundamental-applied"" polarisation. Besides photonic systems (such as e.g. semiconductor lasers) we also study other dynamical (e.g. biological) systems. The current areas of research are: - Dynamics of semiconductor lasers: nonlinear dynamics, bifurcation theory and stochastic processes are used in lasers, in particular semiconductor lasers. This theoretical study allows us to study the dynamic behaviour (e.g. bi- and multi-stability, excitability) of semiconductor lasers. These theoretical predictions are then tested experimentally in our labs. - Coherence properties of lasers: experimental and theoretical study of coherence properties of semiconductor lasers, and research into methods to modify and control the spatial coherence. In this way, we can generate spatially incoherent emission of a laser source. In our research we try to understand, model, optimize and apply this unique emission regime in innovative applications. - Metamaterials: metamaterials are complex structures that are composed of small, resonant electric circuits. These building blocks are much smaller than the wavelength of light, therefore they determine the electromagnetic properties of materials like atoms do in natural materials. Several problems are studied, ranging from the simulation of elementary metamaterial building blocks, over photonic devices based on metamaterials, to the development of metamaterial-based systems using the techniques of transformation optics. - Dissipative solitons: we study structures that arise in extended spatial systems in nature, both patterns as well as localized structures (spatial or dissipative solitons). We investigate the dynamic behaviour of these solitons (in time and space), studying the fundamental principles and unravelling the underlying bifurcation structure. - Coupled networks with delay: we study (small) networks of systems (oscillators) coupled with a time lag (delay). With such systems, synchronization may occur in which the oscillators vibrate with the same frequency and/or phase. In particular, we look at the existence and stability of such synchronized solutions and the influence of network topology and the delay. Such systems also have universal data processing properties (Reservoir Computing or Liquid State Machines) that we investigate and attempt to explain. - Non-linear oscillators with delay: We have recently shown that such systems show universal information processing properties (reservoir computing or Liquid State Machines). With only one non-linear node, we can get the same information-processing performance as with a neural network consisting of 400 nodes. We now further investigate the information processing capacity and attempt to explain and implement information processing concepts based on delay-coupled systems. - Dynamics of biological systems: we are focusing on the dynamics of toxin-antitoxin systems in bacteria and archaea. In cooperation with Structural Biology Brussels, we study models for gene regulation and function in the cell with different techniques: differential equations, stochastic methods, etc. We also study the dynamics of ecoystems, like the human gut flora (together with the Raes lab)." "Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology" "Tatiana Kouznetsova" "The Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology (HCVE) coordinated influential clinical trials, published in top-ranking journals, such as the Systolic Hypertension in Europe Trial (Syst-Eur), the Ambulatory blood Pressure monitoring and Treatment of Hypertension trial (APTH) and the Treatment of hypertension based on Home or Office blood Pressure trial (THOP).  HCVE led the Data Safety and Monitoring Board of large clinical trials, including the Systolic Hypertension in China trial (Syst-China), the Randomised Olmesartan and Diabetes Microalbuminuria Prevention Study (ROADMAP) and the Hypertension in the very Elderly trial (HYVET).  HCVE organised the Ouabain and Adducin for Specific Intervention on Sodium in HyperTension trial (OASIS-HT) and the Newer vs. Older Antihypertensive Agents in African Hypertensive patients (NOAAH) trial, which was running at six clinical sites in sub-Saharan Africa.  HCVE played a pivotal role in delineating the deleterious adverse health effects of environmental exposure of the Flemish population to heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, and more recently to air pollutants (fine particulate).The current research interests of HCVE focus on the clinical application of omics (genomics, epigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics), population science, and the treatment of cardiovascular disease, in particular hypertension.  In 1985, HCVE initiated the still ongoing FLEmish Study on ENvironment Genes and Health Outcomes (FLEMENGHO), which served as a template for other population studies across Europe, including the European Project on Genes in Hypertension (EPOGH) and the Swiss Kidney Project on Genes in Hypertension (SKIPOGH), in China (Jingning County), and more recently in Montevideo, Uruguay and Lugbe (Abuja), Nigeria.  In 1998, HCVE participated in several FP7 projects, including INGENIOUS HYPERCARE, HYPERGENES, EU-MASCARA and HOMAGE.  Within H2020, HCVE is the coordinator of the ERA-CVD project PROACT (2018) on the prediction and pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome, using omics technologies. HCVE set up several international research consortia.  IDACO (International Database on Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in relation to Cardiovascular Outcome) and IDHOCO (International Database of HOme blood pressure in relation to Cardiovascular Outcome) focus on the clinical applicability of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or the self-measured blood pressure at home in risk stratification, using data from prospective population studies.  HCVE started the European Network coordinating research on REnal denervation (ENCOReD) and in 2017 published the pilot phase of the INSPiRED (Investigator-Steered Project on intravascular Renal Denervation for Management of Drug-Resistant Hypertension) trial.The European Research Council Advanced Researcher project EPLORE (Epidemiological Left ventricular Outcomes Research in Europe) focused on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in the general population and was followed-up by a Proof-of-Concept project granted by the European Research Council on the use of urinary proteomics for the prediction of heart transplantation outcomes (uPROPHET – Urinary PROteomics in Predicting HEart Transplantation outcomes). HCVE coordinated PREMATCH (PREMATurity as predictor of children's Cardiovascular-renal Health), which was a case-control study comparing the health of children at 11 years, between those born with extremely low birth weight (" "Erik Steur"