GF-05

Wouter Smet

(Cohort 2022)

Research Proposal:

Calotropis procera: A desert plant with a potential to create drought tolerant crops

Research Priority:

Sustainable Environment & Essential Needs

KAUST Host PI:

Ikram Blilou

Wouter Smet obtained a joined PhD from Wageningen University & Research/VIB – Ghent University in 2018, studying the control of cell division orientation during root vascular development. Then he continued as a postdoc at VIB, focusing on a chemical screen to identify novel fertilizer additives that could enhance phosphate use efficiency in crop species. His research resulted in several high impact publication and the filling of three patent applications.