About me

About me

I am a dynamic and results-driven professional with a passion for sustainability, digitalization, and strategic problem-solving. With a strong background in systems thinking, project management, and data analytics, I specialize in designing innovative, effective solutions that drive circular economy transformation and business sustainability.


With expertise in sustainable digitalization, I have led multiple projects that integrate technology, data-driven insights, and eco-effective design to optimize sustainability strategies. I thrive in fast-paced environments, excelling in leadership, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration. My ability to analyze complex systems, engage diverse stakeholders, and communicate impactful ideas allows me to bridge the gap between strategy and execution.

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Education

PhD in Digitalization for Circular Economy

KU Leuven, est. 2025


MSc in Artificial Intelligence

JKU Linz, est. 2025


MSc in Sustainable Materials 

MU Leoben & KU Leuven, 2020


BSc in Materials Science

MU Leoben, 2018

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Professional Trainings

Business Development

UGent & KU Leuven, 2024


Business Process Management

HEC Montreal, 2023


Applied Data Science with Python

UMich, 2020


Coach for personal development

G2M Consulting, 2017

Expertise & Experience

Currently, I am a research associate in Prof. Karel Van Acker’s Sustainability Assessments of Materials and Circular Economy group. My research focuses on the digitalization of circular economies, developing digital solutions that enhance material efficiency, resource optimization, and sustainable business models. I have published extensively in this field and serve as an Assistant Editor for the Journal of Circular Economy. Throughout my career, I have:
✔  Led and managed research, consulting, and digitalization projects in sustainability and circular economy
✔  Supervised and mentored over ten master’s students and lectured in various courses
✔  Developed business strategies and process models through training in Business Development, Innovation, and Change Management
✔  Collaborated internationally through research stays at Chalmers University (Sweden), PolyU (Hong Kong), and UC Berkeley (USA)

Research & Projects

My research is based on the theoretical background of systems thinking, design science research, and circular economy. I investigate the design of eco-effective systems that foster the transition of organizations toward a circular economy. System must incorporate sustainability concepts and values to support the sustainable transition of industries. 

Datafication of the Circular Economy

2020-2025

Interdisciplinary research project in collaboration with KU Leuven's Center for IT & IP Law. My contributions are:

  • Analysis of organizations' opportunities and constraints in the digital transition to a CE.
  • CE business models, reporting standards, and management
  • Digital platforms in the CE
  • Data governance in the CE
  • Effective system designs in the CE

Digital Product Passports 4 Sustainability

(DPP4S)

2023

Explorative research project of the Flemish industry innovation center Flanders Make. My contributions are:

  • Notion of product passports
  • System architecture for product passports
  • Legal requirements on product passports
  • Management of a project work package

CE Center Flanders

2017-ongoing

Support center of the Flemish government in collaboration with industry and the Flemish universities. My contributions are:

  • Report on the circularity of housing and buildings
  • Theoretical background of CE policy monitoring
  • Co-creation of the CE Monitor of Flanders
  • Analysis of the entire business-to-government data ecosystem in CE

Integrating environmental SUStainability
SYstematically in product development processes

(SusSy)

2024-2025

Industrial research valorization project of Flanders Make investigating the integration of sustainability metrics in the product design process. My contributions are:

  • Project management (in 2025)
  • Business development
  • Transition of research results into industry prototypes

Teaching & Mentoring

Good, high-quality teaching is essential to me. Already early on, working as a tutor for high school and college students financed my studies. I have over 240 hours of adult education training and over 400 hours of contact hours teaching experience. Since February 2018, I am a certified trainer in adult education. I contributed or gave the following courses at universities:

    Mathematics 1
    Bachelor in Engineering Science, 1st-semester course

    Mathematics 2
    Bachelor in Engineering Science, 2nd-semester course

    Project Work and Problem Solving 2
    Bachelor in Engineering Science, 2nd-semester course

    Thermodynamics and Kinetics
    Bachelor in Materials Engineering, 6th-semester course

    Materials: Properties, Selection and Sustainability
    Bachelor in Business Engineering, 6th-semester course

    Metals Production and Recycling
    Master in Materials Engineering, 1st-semester course

    Sustainable Materials Management
    Master in Materials Engineering, 4th-semester course

    Python for Materials Science
    Free elective course

    Furthermore, I supervised more than seven master's thesis projects in the master's programs of Artificial Intelligence, Information Management, International Business Economics and Management, Materials Engineering, Sustainable Territorial Development, and Sustainable Materials. I supervised the following master's theses:

      Assessing the impacts of Digital Platform use on the realization of Circular Economy

      Sezen Gürlek Kafaoğlu (2024). Master in Information Management.

      Circular economy digitization by matching industry resource, material, product, and waste streams

      Roelants, Hannes (2024). Master in Artificial Intelligence.

      Information and data architecture of circular economy indicators

      Blloku, Mariza; Kaimi, Fabio; Santos Salazar, Maira (2024). Master in Information Management.

      Data ecosystem of the circular economy monitor Flanders

      Cornelissen, Thomas; De Sitter, Sarah (2024). Master in Information Managment.

      Environmental Impacts of Data Transmission

      Holla, Navaneeth (2024). Master in Sustainable Materials.

      Environmental Impact Assessment of Silicon Wafers Production and Supply Chains in the Semiconductor Industry

      Ahmed, Abullah Ahsan (2023). Master in Sustainable Materials.

      Classification of Circular Economy Indicators for Organization Management

      Delaiti, Davide (2023). Master in International Business Economics and Management.

      Digital Product Passport Policy in Europe: Potential Shift towards Circular Product Strategies

      Ayan, Joelle (2022). Master in Sustainable Territorial Development.

      Awards &
      Distinctions

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      Best Young Presenter

      September 2023

      Best poster award of the Life Cycle Management 2023 conference in the category Young Scientist.

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      Paper-a-thon Winner

      December 2022

      Together with Hannah Stein and Lucian Visinescu, one of the winners of the Paper-a-thon of the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS 2022).

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      Best Poster

      September 2023

      Best poster award of the Life Cycle Management 2023 conference in the category Overall Winner.

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      Science Slam Winner

      November 2021

      Winner of the first Una Europa PhD Slam within the Berlin Science Week.

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      2nd at Science Slam

      March 2023

      I won 2nd place in my science slam on the datafication of the circular economy at the Phaeno Science Center in Wolfsburg, Germany.

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      Master's Thesis Scientia Award

      September 2021

      Scientia Fond Award in the category Engineering And Natural Sciences for my master's thesis "Datafication of material mechanisms in nuclear environment"

      Let's connect!

      I am eager to bring my expertise in digitalization, sustainability, and strategic consulting to forward-thinking organizations looking to drive impactful change. If you’re interested in collaborating, consulting, or discussing innovative sustainability solutions, let’s connect!