Could you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Nathalie Gerlach, and I am from Belgium. I work at University-College of Province of Liège (HEPL), where I serve as Research Coordinator. I am a Civil Engineer in Electromechanics, specialized in Aerospace, and I also hold degrees in Industrial Management and a PhD focusing on non-destructive testing for composite materials. For more than twenty years, I have combined teaching, research, and applied engineering. Within UNIgreen, I am actively involved in Work Package 3 “Research, Development and Innovation”, contributing my expertise in innovation, sustainability, and collaborative project management.
Can you share one concrete way UNIgreen is making a positive impact?
UNIgreen perfectly illustrates the current momentum in sustainable research and innovation in the fields of green agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. What strikes me most is its commitment to promoting scientific excellence while generating knowledge that supports the transition toward a carbon-neutral and resource-efficient economy. I particularly value the approach that brings students closer to research, within an inclusive framework of “learning through research,” and the encouragement of an entrepreneurial mindset. This integrated vision—combining sustainability, scientific excellence, and openness to the socio-economic world—represents for me a truly tangible and lasting impact of UNIgreen.
What is one lesson you’ve learned from working with such a diverse and international team?
Working within such a diverse and international team as UNIgreen has taught me the value of open, respectful, and patient communication. Each partner brings their own culture, methods, and perspective, and it is precisely this diversity that strengthens the project. I have learned that successful collaboration depends not only on technical expertise but also on intercultural understanding and adaptability. By sharing our experiences and practices, we build a more inclusive and innovative research community. This experience has deeply convinced me that diversity is a true driver of creativity and collective progress.
If UNIgreen were plants, how would you describe them?
If UNIgreen were plants, I would imagine it as a flourishing research garden, where each species represents a partner university growing in its own environment yet sharing the same roots: sustainability, collaboration, and innovation. Together, these plants form a harmonious ecosystem, capable of adapting, growing, and producing fruits of knowledge beneficial to society. As in a well-tended garden, diversity and collective care allow each plant to thrive, while contributing to the richness and vitality of the whole.
