Jan Mertens

Jan Mertens is a highly experienced science policy officer currently employed at the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) since July 2021. Prior to this position, Jan served as the Research Manager for Fermentation Biotopes at Puratos from August 2018 to June 2021 and completed a PhD as a researcher at VIB-UGent between March 2013 and September 2017. Jan has also contributed to academia as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at The University of British Columbia in two separate terms during 2010 and 2011. Jan holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry & Biotechnology from Ghent University and an MSc in Microbiology from The University of British Columbia, along with a Master’s in Biomolecular Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Bioscience Engineering from KU Leuven.