Conference Chairs
Kenneth and Pieter will jointly serve as Conference Chairs of ESMAC 2026, providing shared leadership and strategic direction for the meeting.
Kenneth Meijer, PhD
Maastricht University
Short Biography
Kenneth Meijer, PhD, is Full Professor of Human Movement Sciences at Maastricht University. His research focuses on the neuromechanics and energetics of human movement, with particular attention to movement disorders and the determinants of stable and efficient locomotion. In close collaboration with clinical partners, he translates fundamental movement science to pre-clinical and clinical applications. He coordinates the Maastricht Human Movement Research Network, fostering strategic alignment of human movement research across academia and healthcare, and serves as scientific advisor for the Maastricht physical activity monitor and the Service Point Activity Monitoring.
Pieter Meyns, PhD
Hasselt University
Short Biography
Pieter Meyns, PhD, is Vice-Dean and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences of Hasselt University (Belgium) and Head of the Biomechanics Group and MOVElab. He has extensive clinical and translational experience in gait and balance analysis across healthy and neurologically impaired populations. His research focuses on the neuromechanics of gait and postural control across the lifespan. Using advanced 3D movement analysis, he supports clinical assessment and rehabilitation. His work aims to translate quantitative gait measures into effective interventions to improve mobility and balance.
Local Organising Committee Members
Adhiambo Witlox, PhD, MD
Maastricht UMC+
Click here to see short Biography
Adhiambo Witlox, PhD, MD, is Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at Maastricht UMC+. She is a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon with extensive clinical experience in gait analysis through her involvement in the gait laboratories of the Centre for Exercise at MUMC+, where she serves as Medical Director.
Yvonne Janssen-Potten, PhD
Maastricht University Medical Center
Click here to see short Biography
Yvonne Janssen-Potten, PhD, is a senior researcher at Adelante Rehabilitation Centre and an expert in pediatric gait analysis at Maastricht University Medical Center+. Her research focuses on cerebral palsy, with particular emphasis on arm–hand function and quantitative gait analysis. Through her work, she contributes to evidence-based assessment and rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving functional outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Jeroen Vermeulen, PhD, MD
Maastricht University
Click here to see short Biography
Jeroen Vermeulen, PhD, MD is Full Professor of Child Neurology at Maastricht University and consultant Child Neurologist at Maastricht University Medical Center+. His research and clinical expertise focus on neonatal brain injury, neonatal neurology, and cerebral palsy.
Lotte Janssens, PhD
Hasselt University
Click here to see short Biography
Lotte Janssens, PhD, is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences of Hasselt University (Belgium) with a background in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Her work focuses on lumbopelvic pain and its relationship with postural control, proprioception, and respiration. She translates quantitative movement insights into evidence-based physiotherapeutic interventions.
Katrijn Klingels, PhD
Hasselt University
Click here to see short Biography
Katrijn Klingels, PhD, is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences of Hasselt University and Guest Professor at KU Leuven. Her research focuses on the assessment and rehabilitation of sensorimotor function in pediatric populations, with expertise in upper limb and balance training for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. She integrates advanced techniques such as 3D movement analysis, robotics, and neuroimaging to optimize pediatric rehabilitation.
Hosting Institutions
