Lab members
Principal Investigator
Kathlyn.laval@ugent.be
Research interests: Neurovirology, pathogenesis, immunology, neurodegeneration, animal models
Interests: Running, yoga, nature, travel, raising a borzoi
Graduate students
Ya.Gao@UGent.be
Research interests: Herpes simplex virus pathogenesis
Interests: Travel, movies, cats
xixi.kang@ugent.be
Research interests: Neurovirology, glia cell activation
Interests: Dog, food, swimming, cleaning
ahmad.mahmoudikouhi@UGent.be
Research interests: Neurovirology, immunovirology, herpes simplex virus pathogenesis
Interests: Painting, basketball, walking, nature
waqar.zaib@ugent.be
Research interests: PHEV pathogenesis, neuroinflammation, public health
Interests: Cricket, walking, cultural exploring, traveling, and Subject related Professional Guidance
Sofía González Hernández
sogonzle.GonzalezHernandez@UGent.be
Research interests: HSV1 pathogenesis, neuroinflammation, epigenetics, Alzheimer’s disease
Interests: Swimming, painting, cooking
Joren Portaels
Joren.Portaels@UGent.be
Research interests: Viral pathogenesis, immunology, animal health and public health
Interests: Nature, hiking, traveling, animals
Undergraduate students
Camille.Kaviani@UGent.be
Research interests: PHEV pathogenesis, neuroinflammation, one health
Interests: Horse riding, running, travel
Celeste.Hilhorst@ugent.be
Research interests: The pathogenesis of Canine Distemper Virus, Multiple Sclerosis disease
Interests: Hiking with my dogs, cooking, animals and bouldering
Febe.lippens@ugent.be
Research interests: HSV1 pathogenesis, Alzheimer’s disease
Interests: Acrobatic gymnastics, reading, traveling and trying escape rooms with friends
Administrative and technical staff
Gert Verdonck, financial administration
g.verdonck@ugent.be
Joridan Rombaut, Animal caretaker mouse facility
Joridan.rombaut@ugent.be
Interests: Nature, travelling, fitness and mma, science and animals
Ann Machtelinckx
Ann.machtelinckx@ugent.be
The Laval lab is currently looking for talented and motivated post-doctoral, PhD candidates, lab technicians and animal caretakers to join the team (See vacancies page).
Alumni students
Laetitia Desmars (2022-2023