Hello all! My name is Lisa Mailleux and I am starting part-time in prof. Christine Van den Broeck's research group as a postdoctoral researcher on September 7. I will combine this with my part-time appointment at KU Leuven. Already in 2011 I obtained my Master's degree in Pediatric Rehabilitation Sciences. After almost two years of clinical experience as a pediatric physiotherapist at the pediatric hospital UZ Leuven, I started my doctoral studies. I studied the relationship between brain injury and upper limb function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. In 2017, I obtained my doctorate. Afterwards, I could passionately combine part-time research with a clinical job at the Center for Developmental Disorders Leuven, which is enriching as a researcher as well as a therapist. Finally, in 2021, I chose to return fully to the academic world, but clinically oriented research is still close to my heart. After all those years in Leuven, I am really looking forward to this new challenge at Ghent University.

I am an exercise scientist by degree and meanwhile, within my PhD, I have been doing research for two years on the prevention of heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes. We investigate the effect of a six-month training intervention on the entire cardiovascular risk profile in people with type 2 diabetes, led by prof. Marieke De Craemer (joint PhD with KUL).
I also enjoy (endurance) sports. I enjoy participating in running races/triathlons, although on a recreational level. Besides sports and my PhD, I also really like adventure travel. This fall, Guatemala is on the program!

My name is David Morales and I am performing a joint PhD at Rey Juan Carlos University in Spain and VUB in Belgium. I'm excited to perform a 3 month research stay at your department starting the 18th of September for which I will be hosted by Prof. Jessica Van Oosterwijck and her colleagues from the Spine, Head and Pain Research Unit. 
I hail from a place called Tenerife in Spain, where I've spent most of my life. I consider myself a physiotherapist with a passion for the study of pain and the interactions between clinicians and patients. I believe in constantly learning and growing, which is why I'm always seeking new opportunities for personal and professional development.
When I'm not busy pursuing my research related interests, you can often find me engaging in various hobbies such as snorkeling, travelling or cooking. I love connecting with people from different backgrounds and cultures, this is why I have also lived in different countries and cities across Europe.
I'm thrilled to do this research stay as a part of my PhD and look forward to getting to know each and every one of you, collaborate, exchange experiences and learn from each other. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to chat or share similar interests (you will find me in office 3.010), eventhough you might find that sometimes I talk too much.