Researchers

Dr. Geert Potters

Head of Research / Coordinator of the AMACORT Research Group

Geert Potters is part of the corrosion team at Antwerp Maritime Academy and is also Head of Research for the entire institution. Originally trained as a plant physiologist rather than a maritime scientist, he obtained a PhD in antioxidants and plant growth and went on to conduct research into the use of bamboo in a sustainable green economy. However, as a proud resident of Europe's second largest port, he found his way into the maritime sector, helped set up the corrosion team in 2007, co-authored a considerable number of publications on the subject and mentored two theses in Nautical Sciences at the Academy. He is currently looking for connections between biology (micro-organisms) and the shipping world, and trying to get future captains involved and enthusiastic about sustainable development and a greener world. He writes for a popular science blog, podcasts, sings (but not in the lab) and likes to confuse honest sailors with words such as “multivariate statistics”, “environmental metagenomics” and “impact factor”.

Dra. Katrijn Verhasselt

Researcher

Katrijn Verhasselt is a researcher, teacher and, above all, curious about how data can help us understand complex problems. After studying nautical sciences and physics, she worked at the Royal Observatory of Belgium, before returning to Antwerp Maritime Academy. Today, she combines her PhD research into the modelling of long-term corrosion with teaching mathematics and physics. In recent years, her interests have increasingly shifted towards design of experiments, data analysis, programming and Bayesian statistics – subjects in which she enjoys seeking robust answers to challenging research questions.

Wikke Witteveen

Researcher

Wikke Witteveen is

Laura De Wel

Researcher

Laura De Wel is

Ianina Pokholenko

Researcher

Ianina Pokholenko is

Dalhia Toumgho

Researcher

Dalhia Toumgho Georges is a Research Assistant in Marine Corrosion at Antwerp Maritime Academy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Naval Mechanics from Antwerp Maritime Academy and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Electromechanical Engineering. Her interests include marine corrosion, maintenance, electromechanical systems and maritime engineering. With a background combining naval mechanics and electromechanical engineering, she is particularly interested in research and practical solutions that contribute to the reliability and durability of marine and industrial systems.

Mihret Tegegn Girma

Researcher

Mihret Tegegn Girma is a materials science researcher specializing in corrosion, sensor-based monitoring, and machine learning. Her research focuses on understanding and predicting corrosion in aquatic environments by combining experimental measurements, environmental sensing, and data-driven modelling.

Joeri Horvath

Joeri Horvath is