Steven Heylen is a seasoned professional in strategic research and environmental catalysis, currently serving as a Policy Advisor for Strategic Research Programmes at Research Foundation Flanders - FWO since April 2016. Prior to this role, Steven worked as a Project Coordinator at KU Leuven and held the position of Beleidsthemabeheerder at the Departement Leefmilieu, Natuur en Energie. Steven's academic journey includes significant contributions as a Postdoctoral Researcher and PhD student at KU Leuven, focusing on deNOx treatment and catalytic oxidation processes, alongside supervising PhD students and writing project proposals at various organizational levels. Steven holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Bio-engineering and a Master's degree in Bio-engineering with a specialization in Environmental Technology from KU Leuven.