Vrije Universiteit Brussel is proud to announce that four of its researchers have been included in Clarivate's prestigious Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list. They are bioengineer Jan Steyaert, electromobile engineer Joeri Van Mierlo, battery engineer Maitane Berecibar and climate scientist Chris Smith. The annual ranking honours scientists whose publications are among the top 1% most cited worldwide in their field.
The list of Highly Cited Researchers is compiled by Clarivate, an international company that performs data analysis on scientific publications. The selection is based on the Web of Science database, which tracks millions of scientific articles and their citations. Researchers who are among the top 1% of most cited publications — across more than 20 scientific disciplines — are included in the list. Citations are considered an important measure of scientific influence: the more often a study is cited by fellow scientists, the greater its impact. A place on the list is therefore a sign that the work of these researchers is leading the way worldwide.
Prof. Jan Steyaert
Jan Steyaert is scientific director of the VIB-VUB Centre for Structural Biology. He is internationally recognised for his pioneering work with Nanobodies — ultra-small antibodies derived from llamas and dromedaries. His research also forms the basis for several successful VUB spin-offs that apply Nanobodies in biotechnology or medicine. He is receiving this recognition for the fifth time, an exceptional confirmation of his lasting impact in the field.
"Our Nanobody technology has fundamentally changed the way antibodies are used in biotechnology and medicine. The fact that our work is cited so often — ranking in the top 1% worldwide — shows how broad its impact is and how science and medicine are building on it."
Prof. Joeri Van Mierlo
Joeri Van Mierlo, director of MOBI, the VUB's electric mobility centre, is also included in the list. He is considered a pioneer in the field of electric vehicles and sustainable transport solutions. His research has a major impact on policy and industry and supports the global transition to low-carbon mobility.
"Of all Belgian scientists, only three have been awarded the prestigious Highly Cited Researcher title in Engineering. Two of them work at MOBI: Prof. Maitane Berecibar and myself. This recognition goes to our researchers with a global impact. Proud of our team that is making a difference!"
Prof. Maitane Berecibar
Maitane Berecibar is a leading expert in battery technology at the MOBI research centre at the VUB. Her work focuses on the lifespan, safety and efficiency of batteries — crucial themes for the transition to sustainable mobility and energy storage. Berecibar combines experimental research with data analysis and modelling to improve the performance of battery systems.
"This reflects how MOBI's Battery Innovation Centre is at the heart of state-of-the-art research and provides excellent input on the latest developments in battery technology."
Dr Chris Smith
Dr Chris Smith, who works in the Faculty of Science and Bioengineering at the VUB, focuses on environmental modelling and the interaction between climate change and ecosystems. His work helps to improve our understanding of how human activities influence natural processes and provides insights that are essential for sustainable environmental management. Dr Smith obtained his PhD from the University of Leeds in 2016, with research into how solar energy sources may be affected by climate change in the future. He spent time in India researching passive cooling of solar panels to improve their performance.
