Post-doctoral Researchers

Dr. Merve Kübra Aktan

Promoter: Prof. Annabel Braem

Research topic: Surface functionalization of biomaterials, alternating current electrophoretic deposition of biomolecules, and advanced surface characterizations

Dr. Ali Khodayari

Promoter: Prof. David Seveno


Research topic: Integrative approaches to studying materials: molecular dynamics simulations, experimental investigations, and surface characterizations

Dr. Navid Mostofi Sarkari

Promoter: Prof. David Seveno

Research topic: Design of icephobic coatings with sustainable chemistry and high energy efficiency

Dr. Sanchari Bhattacharjee

Promoter: Prof. David Seveno – Dr. Ali Khodayari

Research topic: Molecular Simulation of Wetting of Liquids, Molecular Modelling and Simulation, Statistical Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Dynamic and Interfacial Properties of Complex fluids

Dr. Merve Kübra Aktan

Education:

  • PhD in Engineering Science, Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (2018-2022)
  • Master of Science Degree in Material Science Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Türkiye (2014-2016)
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Türkiye (2009-2013)
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Dr. Ali Khodayari

Ali did his B.Sc. and M.Sc. studies in Mechanical Engineering with a thesis on enhancing the thermal properties of alumina nanofluids for solar-thermal collectors using molecular dynamics simulations at Politecnico di Torino, Italy, and experimental investigations of nanoparticle aggregation at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 

After acting as a graduate research assistant at the Multi-scale Modeling laboratory (SMaLL) at Politecnico di Torino for more than a year, he started a Ph.D. career at KU Leuven, focusing on nanoscale modelling of natural fibres. He has served as visiting researcher at TU Graz and KTH, and his studies have led to the publication of several works on studies of nanofluids, molecular dynamics simulations of cellulose, and plant cell wall constituents. 

He has supervised ten master- and bachelor students on computational and experimental studies of polymers, carbohydrates, and lignocellulosic materials.  

He has acted as a reviewer for scientific journals such as Colloids and Interface Science Communications, Journal of Mechanics and Physics of Solids, BioResources, etc. He has been actively organizing seminars on molecular dynamics methods at KU Leuven, with already 14 seminars with invited speakers from top-tier universities around the world, such as Penn State University, Politecnico di Torino, Oak ridge national Laboratory, University of Mons, and KU Leuven. He has a track record in organizing conferences and symposiums, such as the Fiber Society’s Spring 2022 conference (Leuven, Belgium) and the 8th EPNOE International Polysaccharides Conference (2023 Tu Graz, Austria). 

He is currently a post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, studying enhancing the mechanical properties of sustainable-green composites through two projects: BioCell3D and BioInter. 

His research interests form around molecular dynamics simulations, oligosaccharides, and lignocellulosic materials.  

Education:

  • PhD in Engineering and Science: Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (2018-2022)
  • Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy (2013-2017)
  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Azad University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran (2005-2009)
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Dr. Navid Mostofi Sarkari

Navid studied his BSc in Polymer Engineering (majoring in coatings technology) at Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Iran, from 2012 to 2016. He graduated from the same university with an MSc in Polymer Engineering-Coatings in June 2019. During performing his MSc project, he was granted an Erasmus+ exchange scholarship for research at Middle East Technical University, Turkey (2018-2019).

Education:

  • PhD in Engineering Science, Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (2021-2025)
  • Master of Science in Polymer Engineering-Coating Technology, Tehran Polytechnic, Tehran, Iran (2016-2019)
  • Bachelor of Science in Polymer Engineering-Coating Technology, Tehran Polytechnic, Tehran, Iran (2012-2016)
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Dr. Sanchari Bhattacharjee

Sanchari received her B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from Nagpur University, India, in 2013, followed by an M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Durgapur in 2015. She obtained her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Patna in 2021, where her research focused on the wetting and interfacial behavior of imidazolium-based ionic liquid–water mixtures on graphite surfaces using molecular simulations.

Following her Ph.D., she worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Clemson University, USA, where she investigated CO₂ absorption using deep eutectic solvents through molecular dynamics simulations. She subsequently joined National Taiwan University, Taiwan, as a researcher, studying the thermodynamic and interfacial properties of ionic liquid/gas systems using molecular simulations.

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, India (2016–2021)
  • M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, India (2013–2015)
  • B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering, Nagpur University, India (2009–2013)

 

Industrial Experience:

Before beginning her doctoral studies, Sanchari worked as a Chemist in the Production & Quality Control Department at Barak Valley Cements Ltd., Assam, India, from September to December 2015. Her responsibilities included monitoring cement production processes, performing material quality testing, and supporting process optimization to ensure compliance with industrial quality standards.

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