CHRIS BROECKHOVEN
I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology at the University of Antwerp, before moving to South Africa—first as an exchange student, and later as a PhD researcher at the Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University. My doctoral research focused on the functional morphology and evolution of body armour in Armadillo lizards (Ouroborus cataphractus), work that laid the foundation for my long-standing fascination with the form and function of animal armour.
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Following my PhD, I continued my research during postdoctoral appointments at Mathematical Biosciences (BioMath) at Stellenbosch University and subsequently at the Laboratory of Functional Morphology (FunMorph) at the University of Antwerp. During this time, I ventured into the fields of biomimetics and bioinspiration, exploring how biodiversity—and evolution itself—can inspire solutions to some of the challenges we face as a society. This work also led me to engage with the practical, ethical, and philosophical questions that arise when nature is used as a source of inspiration for innovation.
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Building on this background, I joined the European Space Agency (ESA) as an Internal Research Fellow in Biomimetics within the Advanced Concepts Team (ACT). At ESA, I worked on advancing biomimetics toward a more comprehensive, evolution-informed framework—an approach referred to as evomimetics—while exploring how these principles could be applied to challenges in the space domain.
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Two years ago, I returned to South Africa, where I co-founded BiorteX with Genevieve and was appointed Research Fellow at the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University. In these roles, I continue to work at the intersection of evolutionary biology, functional morphology, and bioinspired innovation.
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Throughout my academic career, I have worked with a wide range of methods to study and quantify biological form and function, from traditional and geometric morphometrics to three-dimensional analyses using micro-computed tomography. I also integrate statistical and phylogenetic approaches to understand how evolutionary history shapes form and function. Over the years, I have gained experience in leading research projects, securing funding, and translating scientific findings into clear publications and presentations. I enjoy sharing this knowledge through public speaking and have been recognized for both my research and my ability to communicate science effectively.
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Originally from Belgium, I have been fascinated by wildlife—especially lizards—from an early age, an interest that was deepened through extensive fieldwork in Africa. While my research now spans biomimetics and applied evolutionary biology, this hands-on background continues to inspire my curiosity. Outside of work, I enjoy biology-inspired board games, gardening as part of a broader interest in self-sufficiency, and reading about mythical creatures—especially dragons.
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