About me

I’m Ellen Roels, assistant professor in the Mechanics of Materials & Constructions (MeMC) group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and affiliated with KU Leuven. My research explores how non-linear material behaviour can be used to design lightweight, adaptable and reconfigurable structures.

I obtained my PhD in 2023 on the topic of self-healing soft robotics, after which I expanded my research into non-linear and bistable structures. My work bridges materials science, robotics and structural mechanics.

Beyond research, I am passionate about teaching and science communication, as I enjoy sharing my research with a broader audience.