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.