Four VUB Researchers among the World’s Top 1% Most Cited Scientists
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is once again celebrating international scientific success, as four of its researchers have been included in Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list — one of the most prestigious rankings in the academic world. This recognition is awarded to scientists whose publications rank among the top 1% most cited globally within their respective fields. The honoured researchers are Prof. Jan Steyaert (VIB-VUB Centre for Structural Biology), Prof. Joeri Van Mierlo (MOBI – electromobility), Prof. Maitane Berecibar (MOBI – battery technology) and Dr Chris Smith (Faculty of Science and Bioengineering Sciences – climate science).
International recognition of scientific impact
The annual list is compiled by Clarivate based on millions of articles and citations recorded in the Web of Science database. Citations — the number of times a publication is referenced in other research — are considered a key global benchmark for influence and reliability in science. Earning a spot on the list is, therefore, a recognition that the work of these researchers is shaping developments on a global scale.
Four outstanding researchers
Prof. Jan Steyaert – Pioneer in Nanobody Technology
As Scientific Director of the VIB-VUB Centre for Structural Biology, Jan Steyaert is internationally renowned for his groundbreaking work on nanobodies: ultra-small antibodies derived from llamas and camels. His research laid the foundation for several successful VUB spin-offs in biotechnology and medicine. This marks the fifth time Prof. Steyaert has received this recognition.
“Our nanobody technology has fundamentally changed how antibodies are used. The fact that our work is so widely cited — placing it among the global top 1% — shows how far-reaching its impact is, and how science and medicine are continuing to build on it.”
Prof. Joeri Van Mierlo – Authority on Electromobility
Joeri Van Mierlo, Director of MOBI, is regarded as a pioneer in the field of electric vehicles and sustainable mobility. His research provides insights that inform policy, industry, and the global shift to low-carbon transport solutions.
“Among all Belgian scientists, only three received the prestigious Highly Cited Researcher title in Engineering. Two of them are at MOBI: Prof. Maitane Berecibar and myself. I’m very proud of our team and the impact we’re making.”
Prof. Maitane Berecibar – Battery Technology Expert
At the MOBI centre, Maitane Berecibar focuses on the lifespan, safety, and efficiency of battery systems — all crucial themes in the energy transition. She combines experimental research with advanced data analysis and modelling to optimise battery performance.
“This recognition reflects how the Battery Innovation Centre at MOBI is operating at the heart of state-of-the-art research, delivering top-quality input on the latest advances in battery technology.”
Dr Chris Smith – Climate Scientist with a Global Outlook
Within the VUB Faculty of Science and Bioengineering Sciences, Chris Smith studies the interaction between climate change and ecosystems. He develops environmental models that help to understand how human activities affect natural processes.
Smith obtained his PhD in 2016 from the University of Leeds, where he researched the impact of climate change on solar energy resources. In India, he worked on passive cooling for solar panels to improve their efficiency.
Tineke Sonck
