Our Partners
KU Leuven
Plant Conservation and Population Biology research group
The Plant Conservation and Population Biology research group from the Biology Department at KU Leuven studies the effects of anthropogenic disturbances such as nutrient enrichment, invasive species, forest management, and habitat fragmentation on plant species richness and plant genetic diversity. This involves using state-of-the-art techniques in the field of population genomics and remote sensing. The objective is to understand the mechanisms behind the worldwide decline of plant (genetic) diversity and to provide practical, science-based guidelines regarding its conservation and sustainable use. Two important target species are wild Arabica and Robusta coffee (the Crop Wild Relatives of cultivated coffee), growing in Ethiopian Afromontane forests and the Congo Basin, respectively. The research group is also involved in the scientific evaluation of agro-ecological practices, both in temperate and tropical ecosystems where we study coffee agroforestry systems.
PhD Researcher
Robrecht has a degree in bioscience engineering from KU Leuven and defended his PhD on the CoffeeBridge project in January 2025. His research contributed to the characterization of the Robusta coffee genetic resources in the Congo basin (DRC), focussing on geno- and phenotyping and the quality of the coffee genetic lines in the Yangambi collection. His passion for coffee started in Peru, when he was investigating cocoa beans for his master’s thesis and discovered the world of coffee processing and quality. His previous work experience was as a food technologist in a research and development laboratory in Leuven. As a licensed Robusta Q-grader, he is a specialist in coffee quality and sensory profiles. He is a coffee hobbyist and enthusiast who is passionate about discussing, exploring, and collaborating on the potential of the Robusta genetic resources in the Congo Basin.
PhD Promotor
Olivier has a Master’s degree in agronomy and a PhD in plant ecology. He is a full professor of Conservation Biology at the Biology Department of KU Leuven and he is head of the Plant Conservation and Population Biology research group. Olivier has broad expertise in plant population genetics and plant ecology and is strongly involved in Arabica coffee research in Ethiopia.
