The activities carried out in the laboratory allow students to be in direct contact with private and public partners in the professional world.MaessenPhilippe MAESEN, Associate Professor in the field of Analytical Chemistry. Picture : © MichelHouet.

P

hilippe Maesen's professional career is firmly rooted in ULiège and the Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech. "I spent 30 years in the Faculty. After obtaining the diploma of Chemical Engineer and Agricultural Industries (1992), with joint aggregation, my involvement in the Environement and Analysis Bureau of Gembloux (BEAGx), in 1997, gave me the opportunity to apply my knowledge in applied experimental chemistry, gas/liquid chromatography and atomic absorption, on equipment dedicated to community services but also to research. Since 2008, I have been running a self-financed laboratory, which currently employs 14 people, 3 engineers and 11 technical staff (most of them with a bachelor's degree in chemistry). Given our self-supporting status, the main focus is related to community services, mostly to organizations outside our Institution. Multiple internal services are also provided internally with the collaboration of many Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech colleagues. The analytical results have, in most cases, been published journals with impact factors. We evolve waste analysis techniques almost daily due to the variability and heterogeneity of this type of complex matrix. "

Passionate about environmental chemistry, with numerous partnerships, both public and private, enthusiastic about listening to young people, Philippe Maesen has obtained a partial teaching position in Analytical Chemistry in coordination with Prof. G. Purcaro. "This microcharge allows me to extend our service to the student community, thus covering the three main missions of our Institution. "

A close link with the professional world

"The development of specific analytical methods, from bibliographic research (where they exist) to full validation, also allows us to claim an axis related to applied research. The services provided (under approval or certification), both internally and externally, concern the vast field of agronomy in the broadest sense, in particular the environment, agriculture and food. From the analysis of mineral fertilizers or organic amendments (sewage sludge, biomethanization digestates, composts, skimmers, vinasses, etc.) to the characterization of contaminated or uncontaminated soils, waterway sediments, and the certification of products resulting from the recycling of used batteries, here are some examples of the topics covered in our laboratory. For the Bioengineers we train at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, mastery of analytical techniques is essential to understand what is behind a result from an analysis report. Our activities allow students to be in direct contact with private and public partners in the professional world. Our Bioengineers must be able to go beyond the simple result stage and develop real expertise. This can only be done with the help of technical knowledge specific to analytical chemistry. Our laboratory also provides this essential link between academic missions and the demands of the professional world. "

Contact Information

Philippe MAESEN

Share this page