Alexander Van Driessche

Alexander E.S. Van Driessche earned his degree in Geology from the University of Gent, Belgium, in 2001. He later completed a PhD in applied physics at the University of Granada in 2008, focusing on the in situ observation of crystal growth from solution. Since then, his research has focused on the fundamental aspects of crystallization processes in both natural and engineered environments. He conducted postdoctoral research at IACT, CSIC, Granada, and at the Free University of Brussels (VUB). In 2016, he secured a permanent position at ISTerre, CNRS, Grenoble, before transitioning to a permanent role at IACT, CSIC in Granada at the end of 2021. He has co-authored over 80 JCR publications (H-index = 31) and has served as (co)-PI on more than 15 academic and industrial funded EU, national, and regional projects. His studies span various disciplines including geochemistry, physical chemistry, crystallography, and material sciences. A consistent theme in his research has been the development and application of in situ monitoring tools such as advanced optical microscopy (custom-built confocal differential interference contrast microscope, phase-shifting interferometry), liquid-cell atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (liquid-cell, and cryo-TEM), and synchrotron-based x-ray scattering techniques.