After graduating as a Bioscience Engineer (Cell and Gene Biotechnology), I started studying the mechanisms by which the plant hormone triggers initiation of lateral root development in the group of Prof. Tom Beeckman (VIB-PSB). In other words, how does auxin activate de novo organogenesis in the root of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Via transcriptome analysis of the process, I started exploring the role of cell cycle regulators, transcription factors and their connection to auxin transport. The latter was the basis for starting a collaboration with Prof. Jiri Friml, and set the stage for a post-doc in his group. During my post-doc, I changed from developmental biology to cell biology, yet again with a flavor of auxin and roots. How is polar auxin transport regulated, and what are the mechanisms that control the polarization of auxin transporters, were questions that dominated my research. This led me to explore the role of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, ER-PM contact site regulators and auxin-induced Ca²⁺ signaling in the root. After 7 years in this constellation, I became a post-doctoral assistant, and started to explore the mechanism by which auxin transport and  conjugation control lateral root spacing, study auxin-induced phosphorylation changes. Since 2020, I became a team leader at Horticell, focusing on in regeneration, and adventitious rooting. Recently, we initiated a new research theme aimed at improving microspore regeneration for the production of doubled haploids in crops.