Ellen Fierens

Bioengineer

Ellen graduated as a bioengineer from KU Leuven in 2001. After a short period of time at Janssen Pharmaceutica, she began working on her PhD at KU Leuven in 2003 on a very fundamental subject: one very specific inhibitor in the wheat kernel. In 2007, Ellen began expanding her horizons as a postdoc in all research topics within the boundaries of the Laboratory for Food Chemistry and Biochemistry. From non-starch polysaccharides to proteins and starch and back to the biologically active components (enzymes and inhibitors).

Her belief in the power of building bridges, especially between universities and industries, made her decide to transfer to Flanders’ FOOD in 2017. She has always been interested in food and its influence on health. As Program Manager 'Personalised Foods and Healthy Diets', she tries to make the link between food and health even clearer.

In her kitchen at home, her main challenge is finding recipes that are appreciated (read: eaten) by her three daughters. Still she dreams of a future where she can experiment more with exotic flavours. And after dinner there is always time for a board game.