Researchers

Dr. Olivier Schalm

Internationalisation / Coordinator of the SUTRA Research Group

Olivier Schalm studied chemistry at the University of Antwerp. During his master thesis, PhD, and postdoctoral research, he specialised in the chemical analysis of heritage materials such as historical glass, silver alloys, and pigments. He also investigated advanced imaging techniques, including emission radiography, and explored innovative plasma-based methods for cleaning tarnished silver. His work gradually shifted toward environmental monitoring inside museums and churches. Within the AIRCHECQ project, he developed a multi-parameter monitoring tool and algorithms that translated environmental measurements into risk levels for accelerated material degradation. After moving to the Antwerp Maritime Academy, he expanded this expertise by developing compact, multipurpose Arduino-based data logger systems for a wide range of maritime applications. These systems are used air quality monitoring systems, in in-house-developed buoys, for monitoring the energy consumption of small autonomous vessels, or for measuring ship or platform motion. His research emphasises robust calibration methods for low-cost gas sensors and advanced data visualisation techniques that support risk assessment by converting measured pollutant concentrations into intuitive, health-related risk levels accessible to non-experts. His current work focuses on sustainable transport in the maritime sector. He investigates how onboard energy consumption can be optimised through targeted crew training, and improving the interaction between the operator and the vessel’s energy systems to support the transition toward more energy-efficient and cleaner ship operations.

Tim Janssens

Researcher

Tim Janssens is

Matthew Cory

Researcher

Matthew Cory is

Luca De Wilde

Researcher

Luca De Wilde is

Joris Lemmens

Researcher

Joris Lemmens is

Dr. Werner Jacobs

Researcher

Werner Jacobs is

Raf Maes

Researcher

Raf Maes has completed a wide range of qualifications, including a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering, a Master’s degree in physics, the AILO qualification, a degree in chemical engineering, and a postgraduate qualification in tax and financial sciences. In addition, he holds C1 language certificates in both French and English. He holds a PhD based on a thesis on alternative fuels and continues to work in this field. He is also very interested in the general theory of relativity. At Antwerp Maritime Academy, he teaches within the Faculty of Marine Engineering, where he is involved in automation. Furthermore, he has worked in the petrochemical industry as an outdoor and indoor (panel) operator at a company that produced phenol – now part of the Ineos Group. There, he was also a member of the emergency response team and had the dubious pleasure of being called out four times to deal with an emergency.