Meet our team

Elisa Van Kenhove (°1991) obtained her degree 'Master of Science in Engineering: Architecture (Architectural Design and Construction Techniques)' (UGent, 2014, magna cum laude) with a master thesis on the optimisation of a GEOTABS office building.

Since 2014 she has been a researcher at the Building Physics research group of Ghent University, with her main topics being technical installations in buildings, energy use in homes and renovation of protected heritage. She also carries out teaching tasks.

In 2014 (start January 1, 2015), Elisa received a personal PhD grant from the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT/VLAIO) on the topic 'Thermohydraulic and Biologic Modeling of Legionella Pneumophila Proliferation in Domestic Hot Water Systems'. The aim of this PhD was to develop a simulation model that allows to investigate the contamination risk by Legionella pneumophila in the design phase of domestic hot water systems and to test the effectiveness of decontamination techniques on a contaminated system. This model served as a basis for evaluating commonly used sanitary hot water installations and their energy-efficient alternatives in order to arrive at new 'best practice' guidelines. In 2018, Elisa obtained her PhD in Civil Engineering: Architecture.

In 2018, the LoWatter team received a valorisation grant from the IOF (UGent) to valorise the Legionella research carried out at UGent.

In 2020, Elisa received a personal spin-off mandate from the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) in preparation for setting up a spin-off company.

In 2009, Lien De Backer (°1985) graduated magna cum laude as an Industrial Engineer (Hogeschool Gent) with a master dissertation about 'Restoration of the Church-of-our-Lady in Bruges. Stability of the Tower Using an FEM-Analysis' (Buildsoft package + ANSYS).

In August 2010, Lien started as a PhD-researcher in the Building Physics research group (UGent). From 2010-2013, she was involved in the research project 'Strategies for Moisture Modelling of Historical Buildings in order to Control Damage Risks'. This work was part of a FWO-project dedicated to the development of a simulation strategy to analyse the interrelation between outdoor and indoor climate, building envelope and HVAC-design in historical buildings and to evaluate possible damage risks to the cultural heritage.

During these years, Lien became interested in building simulations (for example with: TRNSYS, Modelica, Energyplus, Matlab). Developing and using simulation tools to model and improve specific cases from practice is what appeals to her the most.

Lien received her PhD in Civil Engineering in 2018.

Lien gained additional consultancy experience in practice at Studiebureau Boydens where she worked as a simulation expert.

Lien has been part of the LoWatter team as an R&D and simulation expert since 2018 (valorisation grant IOF).

Emiel Vermeersch (°1996) obtained his diploma 'Master of Science in Engineering: Architecture (Architectural Design and Construction Techniques)' (UGent, 2019, magna cum laude) with a master thesis on 'Designing a Healthy and Sustainable Hot Water System - Considering its Legal Context'.

Since 2019 he is a scientific assistant within the Building Physics research group of Ghent University, with the main focus being the design and construction of a Legionella test set-up. In addition, he helps to follow up monitoring campaigns and decontamination strategies in buildings contaminated with Legionella.

In 2019 (valorisation grant IOF), Emiel joined the LoWatter team as a technical expert.