Stefaan Poedts

Stefaan Poedts is a Full Professor of Applied Mathematics at KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) in Belgium.12 He graduated in Applied Mathematics from KU Leuven in 1984 and obtained his PhD in Sciences (Applied Mathematics) in 1988 from the same university.1

Professor Poedts has an extensive research background in plasma physics, solar astrophysics, and space weather.2 He has published over 365 articles in these fields, with his current research focusing on modeling the solar corona and Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) evolution in the heliospheric wind.2

His academic career includes positions at various institutions:

1. Postdoctoral researcher at the Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik in Garching bei München
2. Scientific collaborator and Senior researcher at the FOM-Instituut voor Plasmafysica 'Rijnhuizen' in the Netherlands
3. Research Associate of the FWO-Vlaanderen at KU Leuven
4. Academic Staff at KU Leuven since October 1, 2000, currently as a Full Professor1

Professor Poedts is also involved in several EU Horizon 2020 and European Space Agency (ESA) projects related to his research areas.2 He serves as the President of E-SWAN (European Space Weather and Space Climate Association Network)2 and is the chair of the Leuven Computational Modelling Centre.3

His research interests encompass:

• Solar Astrophysics: Theory and Observations
• Space Weather
• Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion Research1

Professor Poedts has received recognition for his teaching, including awards for "Best professor" and "Most sympathetic professor" from students at KU Leuven.4