SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS GIVE MOMENTUM TO RESEARCH

RESEARCHERS IN FOCUS

“Solid technological support makes or breaks the research at our faculty. As a scientist, it is impossible to keep track of all the fast-paced technological develop - ments. So we need engineers to bring our projects to a favorable conclusion.” We are talking to Prof. Yves Vanlandewijck and Dr. Joeri Verellen from the Adapted Physical Activity of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences unit at the KU Leuven. One of the engineers they are speaking of is Luc Janssens of the Information Technology team on Campus GROUP T.

“Our unit examines how to activate people with a functional impairment or physical handicap again through tailored movements”, Dr. Verellen explains. “We support and guide patients in their rehabilitation process, both people like you and me and top athletes from all over the world.” The international reputation the Leuven researchers enjoy is illustrated by Prof. Vanlandewijck’s chairmanship of the Sports Science Committee of the International Paralympic Committee, the IOC’s counterpart.

Prof. Yves Vanlandewijck, Dr. Joeri Verellen and Luc Janssens

Performance-determining factors

Dr. Verellen conducted research as part of his PhD work into what he refers to as ‘performance-determining factors’ for the handcycle. He studied the most efficient way of generating power, the vehicle ergonomics, the strain on the athlete’s shoulders, and so on, all this with the objective of improving the athletic performance. To measure the forces, Dr. Verellen consulted Luc Janssens who had previously participated in various research projects in the biomedical sector.

“My task consisted of translating the research methodology into a measuring system, in this case an ergonometer with assorted sensors to measure the forces that are exerted on the handles”, Luc Janssens explains. “This included gathering data, building a user interface and processing the data. The interpretation of the results was done together with the scientists.”

Multidisciplinary projects

Luc Janssens agrees entirely with Prof. Vanlandewijck: “These kinds of multidisciplinary projects require scientists and engineers to speak the same language and complement each other well. For engineers, it is crucial that they understand the terminology and can translate it to a concrete instrument. The user interface we built for the researcher must generate data that can be processed statistically and from which significant conclusions can be drawn. Conclusions that, in turn, may find their way to publications which then may lay at the foundation of new technologies or better therapies.”

But there is more. In such projects, the engineer not only works with researchers and scientists. “The other parties that are at least as involved are the patients and/or test subjects”, Luc Janssens continues. “These are, precisely because of their physical or psychological impairment, often people with whom contact or communication is not always as straightforward. It requires a large capacity for empathy from the researchers and the engineers to make it as comfortable as possible for the patient and to ensure that the therapy or the experiment is conducted in optimal circumstances.”

Team players

“And, last but not least, engineers who participate in research projects must be real team players”, Luc Janssens believes. “After all, you must be able to collaborate with many people at once. This means consulting, arguing, meeting, compromising, and so on, in short, a whole assortment of communication skills, including the ability to listen. Inquisitiveness is yet another important quality. Often, you will be confronted with problems or techniques you do not fully master. Before I joined Dr. Verellen’s project, I hardly knew what a handcycle was. Learning quickly and getting familiar with these new things should then become your focus.”

On Campus GROUP T, Luc Janssens has an enthusiastic team of engineers and scientists available to him. He sings the praises of the e-Media Lab which meanwhile has become quite proficient at Health Engineering research. Other recipients of his praise include the colleagues of the ICT department for their unrelenting professional service to everybody engaged in scientific research.”

Yves Persoons