Team
Hi, we're the Vonesch lab!
Find out who's in the lab, what we do, and how to contact us.
Sibylle Vonesch
Group Leader
Sibylle is fascinated by the genomic and phenotypic diversity present in nature and believes in the power of high-throughput approaches in microbes for understanding fundamental biological principles. When not in the lab you can find her kitesurfing, cycling or running up a mountain.
Postdoc - EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
PhD Quantitative & Systems Genetics – ETH Zurich, Switzerland
MSc Molecular & Cell Biology – University of Zurich, Switzerland
Ariel Langevin
Lab Manager and Research Scientist
After six years of engineering and evolving bacteria, yeast, and fungi in industry at Ginkgo Bioworks, Ariel has returned to academia to help answer the question: how can we more accurately design and predict biological functions at scale? Across all applications, Ariel enjoys developing high-throughput approaches that leverage automation and pooling to tackle challenging biological problems. When she's not thinking about biology, Ariel can usually be found reading, solving puzzles, or spending time with her family.
Senior Scientist - Ginkgo Bioworks, US
PhD Biomedical Engineering - Boston University, US
MSc Biomedical Engineering - Boston University, US
BSc Chemical Engineering - Clarkson University, US
Laetitia Maroc
Postdoc
Laetitia is fascinated by the remarkable ability of fungi to evolve and adapt. Using CRISPR technologies and functional genomics, she investigates how genome stability and genome plasticity influence adaptation. Although her scientific journey started with Nakaseomyces glabratus, she currently works with the non-conventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, developing new genetic and genomic tools while keeping a strong interest in fungal pathogens. When she is not engineering yeast genomes, she can usually be found on a climbing wall, enjoying the outdoors, or debating ideas over a good Belgian beer.
Postdoc – University of Guelph, Canada
PhD – University of Paris Saclay, France
MSc – University of Paris Saclay, France
Jana Nysten
Postdoc
Jana studies how genetic variation and genetic interactions shape biological traits using high-throughput CRISPR tools in yeast. She aims to test thousands of sequence variants and their combinations to better understand how genotype translates into phenotype. She likes a good challenge, whether in the lab, on a steep mountain trail, or in sports, and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
PhD - KU Leuven, Belgium; University of Toronto, Canada
MSc Biochemistry & Biotechnology – KU Leuven, Belgium
Daan Troubleyn
Research technician
Daan is looking to gain wet lab experience this year by conducting fundamental research on the effects of synonymous mutations on protein folding. Contributing to science has been one of his dreams since childhood, and along the way, a passion for the microscopic world developed. In his free time, he enjoys perfecting his baseball swing, experimenting with new kitchen recipes, or savoring a good book with a glass of wine.
MSc Cellular & Genetic Engineering – KU Leuven, Belgium
Sara Baco
PhD student
Sara has been cultivating her passion for science since she was a kid and has developed an interest in synthetic biology during her academic journey, which has led her to Belgium. She likes being in touch with nature as well as exploring cities, and after long hours in a labcoat she enjoys a cold beer while searching for a new movie to watch.
MSc Molecular & Industrial Biotechnology – University of Bologna, Italy
Vlad Batagui
PhD student
Vlad is interested in new genomics methods and tools for mapping the genotype-phenotype relationship at large scale. He is developing precision editing technology for studying genetic interactions in yeast. He comes from a mixed background of biochemistry and statistics and likes projects where he can combine the wetlab with computational work. Outside the lab, you can often find Vlad at the local cinema, exploring art shows and museums, or on walks with his Clumber Spaniel dog, Mochi.
MSc Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology – KU Leuven, Belgium
Bachelor Chemistry - Harvard University, US
Simon Fiesack
PhD student
Simon wants to contribute to science through basic research and developing new genetic engineering tools. Besides his interest in science, he loves tasting new things and being in nature. After a long hike, he appreciates a good beer with friends.
MSc Cellular & Genetic Engineering - KU Leuven, Belgium
BSc Bioscience Engineering - KU Leuven, Belgium
BSc & MSc Medicine - KU Leuven, Belgium
Siebe Thys
PhD student
Siebe is captivated by neatly designed biological systems and enjoys combining these components to achieve desired outcomes. In line with his interests, he is contributing to the development of a high-throughput genome editing strategy in E. coli. Outside the lab, he enjoys organizing electronic music events, outdoor camping or going for a ride on his moped.
MSc Cellular & Genetic Engineering – KU Leuven, Belgium
BSc Bioscience Engineering - KU Leuven, Belgium
Camille Van de Vyver
PhD student
Camille has always been fascinated by the complexity and remarkable evolution of cellular processes and developed an interest in synthetic biology during her higher studies. In her free time, she enjoys having a coffee and the company of a good book. She also loves spending time outdoors, especially camping and sharing a beer with friends.
MSc Cellular & Genetic Engineering – KU Leuven, Belgium
Bram Van de Walle
PhD student
After completing his Master of Biomedical Sciences, Bram decided to focus more on the analytical side of research by pursuing an interest in Bioinformatics. Interested in how genotype impacts phenotype, Bram aims to uncover how synonymous mutations can drive phenotypic change. When not in the lab, he can be found playing board games or having drinks with friends.
MSc Bioinformatics - KU Leuven, Belgium
MSc Biomedical Sciences - KU Leuven, Belgium
Elizabeth De Schouwer
MSc student
Elizabeth has been a CRISPR nerd since she was 15 and followed her passion for gene editing to the Vonesch lab! Developing inventive tools for discovery and working hands-on gives her daily motivation. In her free time, she enjoys talking with loved ones, making music, and being active!
MSc student Cellular & Genetic Engineering - KU Leuven, Belgium
BS Cellular and Molecular Biology - University of California San Diego, US
Tanvi Duarah
MSc student
Tanvi thinks of genomes the way some people think of good novels: dense, surprising, and full of things you only notice on the third read. She's been a student for as long as she can remember and has never once been tempted to stop. When not in lab she is drawing, walking, brewing Assam tea with more ceremony than it strictly requires, or playing The Strokes loud enough that it counts as a personality trait.
MSc student Cellular & Genetic Engineering - KU Leuven, Belgium
B.Tech Biotechnology - VIT Vellore, India
Romane Lecocq
MSc student
Romane has a background in Marine Science but realised her passion for science lies more at the cellular and molecular levels, with a particular fascination for the organisation and complexity underlying life processes. Outside the lab, she enjoys running, going to live music events, and exploring new places. She currently lives in Brussels with 5 friends and never misses a terrace when the sun comes out!
MSc student Cellular & Genetic Engineering - KU Leuven, Belgium
International MSc Marine Biological Resources (IMBRSea) - Ghent University, Belgium
BSc Bioengineering - Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium
Robin Wöhr
MSc student
Robin started out in biochemistry, but he has always loved exploring adjacent fields too. This curiosity led him to genomics, where he is now studying how genetic variation results in differing phenotypes in yeast. On weekends, he is an ambitious home cook who spends “way too much time” (his words) in the kitchen perfecting recipes.
MSc student Biochemistry & Biotechnology - KU Leuven, Belgium
BSc Biochemistry – Freie Universität Berlin, Germany