FRANK DE VOEGHT
Managing Director
Frank obtained his PhD in physical chemistry in 1983 at the University of Antwerp. His expertise lay mainly in the field of interfacial chemistry and fluid dynamics.Frank built an industrial career of 25 years as senior scientist and R&D manager at Agfa. He was involved in the development of high speed multi layer coating technology and the development of several graphic arts and industrial imaging films. He was responsible for the product and business development of the high performance industrial inkjet inks. Frank’s main interests include: coating technology and formulations, inkjet ink formulations and digital printing, dynamic interfacial and surface phenomena, rheology and colloid chemistry.
ROLAND CLAES
Managing Director
Roland obtained his PhD in analytical chemistry in 1986 at the University of Leuven. His expertise lay mainly in the field of organic and inorganic photochemistry. Roland built an industrial career of 23 years as senior scientist and R&D manager at Agfa. He was involved in the development of several graphic arts and industrial imaging films. He was responsible for the product development of UV-curable industrial inkjet inks. Roland’s main interests include: coating formulations, inkjet ink formulations, digital printing, 3D-printing, combinatorial experimental design.
GEERT DEROOVER
Managing Director
Geert obtained his PhD in organic chemistry in 1994 at the University of Leuven. His expertise lay mainly in the field of organic synthesis, analytical organic chemistry, molecular modelling and physicochemical approaches in material science.Geert worked for 15 years as a senior scientist in the core R&D departments of Agfa. He was responsible for the research and development of functional dyes and pigments for several graphic arts, industrial and medical imaging films; dispersion technology; molecular modelling and project management of strategic interdisciplinary IWT R&D programs. Geert’s main interests include: crystal, colorant and dispersant design; organic synthesis; colloids and particle surface chemistry; formulation technology; molecular modelling; experimental design; high throughput screening and physico (chemical) analysis.
ELS MANNEKENS
Project Manager
Els obtained her PhD in medicinal organic chemistry in 2001 at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The main focus lay on the synthesis and modeling of peptide mimetics. After her studies Els worked for 8 years at Agfa. 5 Years were spent in the analytical R&D department where she was active in molecular structure elucidation by using analytical techniques as MS, LCMS, GCMS, NMR, etc. In the following 3 years she developed inkjet inks for industrial inkjet printers. Hereafter, Els got the opportunity to lead a team in the Color & Tinting lab of AkzoNobel (Decorative Paints) where she explored the color matching techniques for the development of color recipes in the mixing machine market. Els’s main interests include: coating technology and formulations, inkjet ink formulations & digital printing, colorimetry and project & people management. Els joined the ChemStream team in 2012.
MATTHIAS CEULEMANS
Project Manager
Matthias graduated as a Master in Chemistry in 2011 at the University of Leuven. In 2016 he obtained his PhD in Chemistry with his thesis called: "Development of Bimodal Contrast Agents for MRI and Optical Imaging". The study focused on the synthesis and characterization of novel luminescent MRI contrast agents based on BODIPY dyes or luminescent lanthanide ions. Matthias's main interests include: optical spectroscopy, organic chemistry, coating technology and formulations, inkjet printing and inks. Matthias joined the team in 2016.
NILS DE VOS
Project Manager
Nils obtained his Master Degree in Bioscience Engineering in 2009 at Ghent University. In 2013 he obtained his PhD degree in Bioscience Engineering, organic chemistry. The focus of his PhD thesis involved the development and synthesis of new ionic liquid types and the testing for different material applications. After his studies, Nils worked for two years at AvoRe, where he was responsible for the development of new technologies in the field of organic chemistry and water purification methods. Nils's main interests include ionic liquids, organic synthesis, flow reactor synthesis, enzyme technology and structure elucidation. Nils joined the ChemStream team in 2016.
WIM VAN BEEK
Project Manager
Wim obtained his Master degree in Chemistry in 2013 at the University of Antwerp. In 2018 he obtained his PhD degree in organic chemistry at the same university. During his PhD thesis he developed new synthetic methodologies for transition-metal catalysed multicomponent couplings. His main research interests include analytical tools (NMR, LC- and GC-MS, online IR, UV/VIS,...), structural elucidation, reaction optimization and transition-metal catalysed reactions. Within ChemStream, Wim is mostly involved in synthetic organic chemistry projects for the synthesis of new biobased building blocks, UV/EB-curable inkjet ink development, adhesion challenges and functional coating design and formulation. Wim joined the ChemStream team in 2018.
KAMIEL MATTHYSEN
Lab Technician
Kamiel graduated as professional bachelor in Chemistry in 2017 at the Karel de Grote university college. Kamiel did his internship at ChemStream. The subject of this internship was the synthesis of block-copolymers. Kamiel’s interests include: organic synthesis and analytic analysis such as: UV-VIS spectrometry, GC-MS, GPC, LCMS and DLS analysis, but Kamiel is also very active in formulating inks and coatings for a wide variety of applications. Kamiel joined the ChemStream team in 2017.
SYLWIA SZWEDO-FURMANSKA
Project Leader
Sylwia obtained her Master's degree of Science in Chemical Engineering (Civil Chemical Engineer) in the Department of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Technology in 2004 at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice (Poland). Afterwards, for the next 12 years she ran her own company in Belgium. Since 2017 she worked at Stad Antwerpen as environmental expert (in plastic packaging, recycling, durability, etc.). Sylwia's main interests include material research in the field of (3D) printing, formulation of inks and coatings. She is also interested in ecodesign and in the development of natural cosmetics. Sylwia joined the ChemStream team in January 2019.
LORE WYNS
Project Leader
Lore graduated as a Master in Chemistry in 2018 at the University of Leuven. Her master thesis focused on amylose characterization and the rheology of amylose solutions, intending to produce biodegradable fibers. Lore's main interests include organic synthesis, polymer characterization, high throughput screening and analytic analysis such as UV-VIS spectrometry, GC-MS and DLS analysis. Lore joined the ChemStream team in 2018.
ROELOF STEENO
Project Manager
Roelof graduated in 2018 as a Master in Chemistry at the University of Leuven. In 2022, he obtained his PhD in chemistry with a thesis titled: "Molecular self-assembly under 2D-lateral nanoconfinement. Capabilities and prospects". With the goal of achieving more control over crystallization, the thesis focused on elucidating fundamentals of molecular self-assembly at surfaces, employing scanning probe microscopic techniques, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemistry. Roelof's main interests include scanning probe microscopy, electrochemistry, electronic devices, surface modification, coating technology and formulation. Roelof joined the ChemStream team in 2023.
OLIVIER RAES
Project Leader
Olivier graduated from Ghent University as a Master in Chemistry in 2015. Afterwards, he commenced a PhD thesis on the total synthesis of benzenoid analogues of the natural product peloruside A.
His main research interests include organic synthesis, organometallic and fluorine chemistry, and structure elucidation. Olivier joined the ChemStream team in 2023.
CAREERS
Research Opportunities at CHEMSTREAM
INTERNSHIPS
As a chemical R&D company, ChemStream is involved in groundbreaking innovative projects and therefore often works in close cooperation with universities and colleges. ChemStream has a long experience in supervising bachelor and master internships.
Students are invited to apply for a dedicated internship and program. We guarantee that students can work on an in-depth research theme in an international industrial context.