The Blue Growth Research Lab contributes to marine and environmental science education at Ghent University and beyond. We combine academic teaching with hands-on research training and lifelong learning opportunities. Our educational activities cover ocean and human health, environmental risk assessment, aquaculture and marine biotechnology. In addition, we welcome research interns and visiting researchers through international mobility and research infrastructure programmes.
Regular University Courses
Prof. Jana Asselman coordinates the Bachelor’s thesis, a core course in the Bachelor of Science in Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University. Students work in interdisciplinary teams on a research project that integrates scientific literature with a practical application, such as experimental research, data analysis or modelling. The course gives particular attention to scientific methodology, critical thinking, teamwork, project management and sustainability. Students develop their scientific communication skills through written reporting, oral presentations and the defense of their research findings.
Aquaculture Environmental Impact is a core course of the MSc Aquaculture. The course focuses on the positive and negative effects of both onshore and offshore marine aquaculture on their respective environments. The course covers recent insights and innovations in aquaculture applications, such as recirculated automated systems and multi-species/multi-trophic aquaculture. It includes traditional lectures, environmental assessments of case studies, and a group-developed case study to provide practical learning experiences.
Oceans & Human Health is an elective course offered in several MSc programs at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (UGent). The course consists of a blended learning format, combining traditional lectures, thematic discussion sessions, and individual project assignments. Students explore the complex relationships between marine ecosystems and human health. They examine fundamental scientific concepts alongside practical applications. In addition, the course introduces different stakeholder perspectives on key marine challenges, helping students develop interdisciplinary skills.
Environmental Risk Assessment is a core course of the MSc Bioscience Engineering: Environmental Technology. The course addresses fundamental and applied concepts of environmental risk assessment. The lab takes up the molecular (eco-) toxicology chapters within the course. This includes the application of novel approach methodologies (NAM), including computational toxicology and adverse outcome pathways (AOP).
Research Training
The Blue Growth Research Lab is committed to training the next generation of scientists through hands-on research, interdisciplinary collaboration and international mobility.
Research Internships and Placements
We regularly host internship and visiting research students at different academic levels, including professional Bachelor’s students, Master’s students and PhD researchers. We accept international research internships often through Erasmus+ and other mobility programmes. As research training positions are limited and tend to fill up quickly, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact us well in advance. Applications should clearly indicate the proposed research interests, preferred period and potential funding arrangements.
Specialised Research Training and Transnational Access
Beyond individual research placements, we contribute to specialised scientific training and capacity building through the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) and European research infrastructure initiatives. These include training and access opportunities through transnational access programmes such as SIRENE, which connects environmental exposure research with human health through access to advanced research infrastructures and expertise. Through these initiatives, we support international knowledge exchange, methodological training and access to specialised research facilities.
Lifelong Learning
The Blue Growth Research Lab actively contributes to lifelong learning and professional development through specialised courses, workshops and international summer schools. Our educational activities translate scientific advances in marine science, environmental toxicology, biotechnology and sustainability into training opportunities for students, researchers and professionals:
- The Marine@UGent summer school introduces key concepts of marine research. Marine@UGent organizes this bi-annually at its home base Ostend Science Park. The lab regular features as speakers and co-organiers.
- SETAC short courses on epigenomics in environmental risk assessment during the yearly SETAC Europe conferences (as a training course within the EU project EPIBOOST).
- The lab regular features as invited speakers for different international summerschools including International Summer School of Blue Biotechnology (ISSBB) organized by SZN (Italy).