CV of Katrien Bernaerts

RESEARCH CHEMIST POLYMERS

Profile

Research chemist macromolecular chemistry with a broad experience in both academia and industry. Main research focus is on the design and synthesis of sustainable polymer materials with tuneable properties for the circular economy. Sustainability entails biobased building blocks (but no biorefinery) instead of fossil raw materials, green routes for polymer synthesis and processing, as well as chemical recycling/reprocessing methods (biodegradability, depolymerization, dynamic bonds) to make the end-of-life of polymers more sustainable. Structure-property relationships of the resulting polymers are evaluated in several fields of application e.g. stimuli-responsive polymers, coatings, fibres, engineering plastics and biomedical materials. Growing focus on the use of artificial intelligence techniques to support and accelerate the experimental work, e.g. data interpretation and prediction of structure-property relationships.
1/7/2018 – present
Associate Professor, Sustainable Polymer Chemistry Maastricht University (UM), Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Geleen (the Netherlands). Tasks: see assistant professor
15/08/2012-30/6/2018
Assistant Professor Biobased Materials, Polymer Chemistry
Maastricht University (UM), Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Geleen (the Netherlands).
R&D biobased and sustainable polymers.
Teaching at Maastricht Science Programme (bachelor) and in the Master Biobased Materials
01/04/2012-14/08/2012
R&D Scientist and Development Manager
Umicore Specialty Materials, Brugge (Belgium)
Technical support and innovation projects in alkyd resins, coatings and inks.
supervising a lab technician and a student.
01/06/2010-31/03/2012
R&D Scientist Powder Coating Resins, Synthesis
DSM, Zwolle (the Netherlands)
Prepare and characterize powder coatings and their resins; lead new product development research projects;
PTN Coating Technology Course, all modules (http://www.ptn.nu/coa/index.htm).
01/06/2008-31/05/2010
Senior R&D co-worker polymerization
Teijin Aramid, Arnhem (the Netherlands) (an ex-Akzo company)
Explorative research towards the synthesis and development of new monomers, polymers and coatings for next generation aramid fibres/materials; collaboration with external partners, e.g. universities;
supervision of students.
01/06/2005- 31/05/2008
Research Chemist Polymers
Agfa Graphics NV, Mortsel (Belgium)
synthesis and development of polymeric dispersants (radical, condensation, addition polymerization) for water-based, solvent-based and (mainly) UV-curable inkjet applications; defining structure-property relationships; managing a 10 man-year project; supervising two lab technicians and a subcontractor; responsible for safety in the chemistry department.

Chemistry education

2014-2015
Teaching certificate “Universal teaching qualification (UTQ)” (November 16, 2015) Maastricht University (the Netherlands)
01/10/2000-
31/05/2005
PhD in Sciences: Chemistry (March 7, 2006)
Ghent University (Belgium), Department of Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry Research Group, funded by Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) Flanders
Thesis Advanced polymer architectures with stimuli-responsive properties starting from heterofunctional initiators.
Advisor: Prof. dr. F. Du Prez
Experience: organic and polymer synthesis (controlled cationic/radical techniques);
analytical characterization and structure-property relationships;
supervising master students during their thesis project;
teaching organic chemistry to undergraduate students.
1998-2000
Licentiate (Master) in Sciences: Chemistry Graduated with great distinction Ghent University (Belgium)
Thesis: Synthesis and evaluation of polymers and block copolymers via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization.
Advisor: Prof. dr. F. Du Prez
1996-1998
Candidate (Bachelor) in Sciences: Chemistry
Graduated with great distinction Hasselt University, formerly called Limburg University Centre (Belgium)

Scientific stays abroad

01/03/2004-24/05/2004
Exchange student at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA), funded by the National Fund for Scientific Research, Flanders. Project: Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of styrene/acrylonitrile from particles and its derivatization by Click Chemistry.
Supervisor: Prof. dr. K. Matyjaszewski
07/05/2001-26/05/2001
Exchange student at the Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Łódź (Poland) in the frame of “The Centre of Excellence”. Project: Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) training.
Supervisors: Prof. dr. A. Duda, Prof. dr. S. Penczek