Wen-Juan Ma
Principal Investigator
Wen-Juan is currently a Tenure-Track Research Assistant Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Groningen (The Netherlands). She then conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland), Amherst College (MA, USA), and the University of Kansas (KS, USA). She broadly explores how sex chromosomes evolve, differentiate and their dynamics, the genetics and evolution of sex determination, and how endosymbionts manipulate host reproduction. She is also interested in the evolutionary consequences of such interactions and the role of selfish genetic elements in shaping sex chromosome evolution.
Paris Veltsos
Senior scientist/sub-group leader
Paris is interested in the interplay between sexually antagonistic selection, sex chromosome evolution and environmental adaptation. For more information see his website.
Antoine Houtain
Postdoc fellow
During his Ph.D. in Belgium, jointly at the Universities of Brussels and Namur, Antoine focused on the dynamics of genome evolution in asexual species of bdelloid rotifers using the lab model Adineta vaga. His research explored both the genomics of asexuality and the remarkable DNA repair mechanisms that allow bdelloid rotifers to tolerate extreme genome damage. During his postdoctoral work at NC State University in Raleigh (NC, USA), he worked on hybrid yeasts, examining how introgression and hybridisation influence fitness in brewing environments. Currently, Antoine studies the unconventional evolution of sex chromosomes in robber frogs, aiming to understand how recombination suppression is initiated and maintained, how heteromorphic sex chromosomes arise, and dosage compensation mechanisms in these systems. When away from the computer, Antoine can usually be found on a badminton court or running outdoors, if possible with other people.
Email: antoine.houtain[@]gmail.com, antoine.houtain[@]vub.be
Personal website
GitHub
ResearchGate
ORCID
Scholar
Antoine Gradel
Postdoc fellow
During his PhD, Antoine investigated the population structure and adaptive potential of the black-lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera). His current research focuses on understanding population structure and dynamics in true frogs (Ranidae), exploring their phylogeography, and examining how these processes influence the evolution of sex chromosomes. He is also studying structural genomic variation and the functional roles of genes involved in sex determination and adaptation. Outside the lab, Antoine is most at home underwater—whether scuba diving or engaging in other aquatic activities.
Lydia Fong
Postdoc fellow
Lydia did her PhD at the University of British Columbia, studying sex chromosome evolution in guppies. Her research investigates the unique evolutionary pressures on Y chromosomes, including gene expression and the consequences of recombination suppression. Her current research focuses on how sex chromosome turnovers influence and shape recombination and dosage compensation in frogs. Outside the lab, Lydia enjoys jogging and knitting.
Ezgi Unal
PhD student
Ezgi has passion for evolutionary studies and molecular biology research. Her PhD research is investigating the mechanisms of extreme heterochiasmy, the exaggerated sexual dimorphism in the recombination landscape in frogs. During her master studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, she developed a heavy metal detecting E.coli whole-cell biosensor in collaboration with several research institutions. She is particularly enthusiastic about interdisciplinary approaches and collaborations.
Email: hatice.ezgi.unal[@]vub.be
Ricard Fontsere
PhD student
Ricard is overall very interested in the origin and evolution of sex chromosomes, eco-evolutionary dynamics and phenotypic plasticity. His PhD is investigating the evolutionary and genetic drivers of sex chromosome turnover in various frog lineages. During his free time he is an avid chess player.
Ninon Lecoquierre
Joint PhD student, VUB-ULB (with Jean-François Flot)
Ninon is passionate about genome evolution and marine biodiversity, with a focus on non-model organisms. Her PhD research explores the mechanisms of genome simplification in dicyemids and orthonectids using long-read sequencing and comparative genomics. She developed her interest in dicyemids during an internship in Japan and deepened her expertise through research experiences in Belgium, Cameroon, and beyond. She is especially enthusiastic about combining field biology, molecular techniques, and bioinformatics in interdisciplinary collaborations.
Email: Ninon.Lecoquierre[@]ulb.be, Ninon.Lecoquierre[@]vub.be
Jelter Bekaert
PhD student and teaching assistant
Jelter is an enthusiastic herpetologist with a broad interest in amphibians and reptiles. He holds a Master’s degree in Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity from the University of Ghent. For his Master’s thesis, he investigated how UV-reflective coloration in lacertid lizards is shaped by environmental light conditions. His main research interests center on evolutionary questions related to sexual selection, and his PhD work is related to sex determination, phytogeographical patterns of sex chromosome differentiation and possible role in speciation overall in frogs.
Email: Jelter.Filip.Bekaert[@]vub.be
Tristan Cornelis
Research Associate
Tristan’s scientific interests lie in evolution, genetics, and molecular biology. He completed his bachelor’s thesis on salinity preference in C. elegans and his master’s thesis on intraspecific sex chromosome turnover in the Japanese brown frog. Now a research associate, he helps manage the molecular lab, contributes to various research projects, and continues to build on his master’s research, working toward publication. Outside the lab, Tristan enjoys making and listening to music, playing video games, and running.
Email: tristan.cornelis[@]vub.be
Puck Kums
Master thesis student
Puck is a master’s student in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. For her master’s thesis, she is investigating the prevalence of reproductive symbionts and sex-ratio distortion in Belgian ladybirds. The aim of her research is to establish a baseline picture of reproductive-symbiont diversity in Belgian ladybirds and identify promising host-symbiont associations. Outside of her studies, she enjoys reading books, cooking, and travelling.
Email: puck.kums[@]vub.be
Felix Heyman
Field assistant
Felix holds a master's degree in Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity at Ghent University. For his bachelor thesis, he described two new species of Laboulbenia on beetles from North Carolina. Later, he finished his master thesis project on co-speciation patterns between Laboulbeniales and their host species. This led him to become a fieldwork assistant at Ma lab, using his expertise in ladybug sampling and identification skills, to help investigate the endosymbionts and their effects on altering sex ratios of Belgian ladybird beetles. His main interests and hobbies focus on (evolutionary) entomology, but also mycology, symbiosis and phylogenetics.
Email: felixheyman2002[@]gmail.com
Solenn Bosmans
Master thesis student
Solenn graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology. During her internships, she gained molecular biology research experience at Bellevue University in Nebraska, USA, and worked on NIPT testing in a hospital setting, which strengthened her interest in molecular biology.
She is currently completing a bridging program at the VUB in preparation for a Master’s degree. For her Bachelor’s thesis, she investigated sex-chromosome differentiation in the common frog across Flanders. For her Master’s thesis, she is studying (genetic and) epigenetic sex determination in frogs, with a focus on non-genetic mechanisms of sex determination and sex-specific differences in DNA methylation.
Email: solenn.bosmans[@]vub.be
Lab alumni
Bachelor thesis student (2025-2026): Solenn Bosmans, currently master student at VUB.
Bachelor thesis student (2025-2026): Bjarne De Pauw, currently master student at VUB.
Bachelor thesis student (2025-2026): Solenn Bosmans, currently master student at VUB.
Bachelor thesis student (2025-2026): Nina Alley's, currently master student at VUB.
Bachelor thesis student (2025-2026): Jelle Thijssen, currently master student at VUB.
Bachelor thesis student (2025-2026): Gerlinde Berger, currently master student at VUB.
Bachelor thesis student (2025-2026): Agathe Charlet, currently master student at VUB.
Master thesis student (2025-2026): Tristan Cornelis, currently research associate at VUB.
Visiting PhD student (2025): Jie Wang, currently PhD student at University of Ghent.
Master summer internship (2025): Deepthi Deepthi, currently master student at VUB.
Postdoc researcher (2024-2026): Fantin Carpentier
Postdoc researcher (2024-2026): Barbora Augstenová
Postdoc researcher (2023-2025): Sagar Shinde
PhD candidate (2024-2025): Ramses Moortgat
Master thesis student (2024-2025): Marzie Hsadat Bagheri
Bachelor thesis student (2023-2025): Benjamin Aime Allaer
Bachelor thesis student (2024-2025): Luca Silvio Pignatti
Bachelor thesis student (2024-2025): Rosalie Van Eeckhaute
Postdoc researcher (2023-2024): Meriç Erdolu
Bachelor thesis student (2023-2024): Gabriel Orlando Bidó Féliz, currently student exchange program at University of Palacky, Czech Republic
Bachelor thesis student (2023-2024): Tristan Cornelis, currently Master program at VUB, Belgium
Bachelor thesis student (2023-2024): Ezel Bahar Balci, currently Master program at VUB, Belgium
Bachelor thesis student (2023-2024): Marie Cecile M. Aerts, currently Master program at VUB, Belgium