Séverine Vermeire Belgium
Séverine Vermeire has been Rector of KU Leuven since August 2025, the first woman in this role. A physician and internationally recognized expert in gastroenterology, she champions joy at work, learning, and connectedness at the university.
Prof. Dr. Séverine Vermeire (b. 1970) made history as KU Leuven’s first female rector. A physician and full professor of Medicine since 2020, she has built an internationally acclaimed career in inflammatory bowel diseases and the microbiome. Before her appointment, she coordinated biomedical research and chaired the Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Aging. As rector, she fosters a university where joy at work, learning, and community are at the heart.
Meet the other speakers
Mohamed Ridouani
Mohamed Ridouani is the mayor of the city of Leuven, Belgium. He is dedicated to transforming Leuven into a thriving and caring community. He strongly believes in the power of collaboration and the importance of building future-proof communities based on hope and trust, as opposed to polarization and distrust.
@ The conference
Rector Vermeire will deliver the welcome address at our conference, alongside Mayor of Leuven Mohamed Ridouani.
