The ocean and coastal areas play a vital role in our health and wellbeing. From bioactive compounds found in marine organisms to the calming effects of coastal landscapes on stress and cognitive function, marine research is providing more and more insights that support medical progress and improve quality of life.
The prestigious Delcroix grants, presented by Hydro vzw and The Sea as a Good Cause (VLIZ), recognise researchers carrying out groundbreaking work at the crossroads of ocean science and human health. Here, we highlight the award winners.
Dr. Edouard Delcroix Research Grant 2026 - Ilias Semmouri
The Dr Edouard Delcroix Research Grant 2026, worth EUR 10,000, is intended for young researchers who wish to develop a brilliant idea within the broader context of ocean and human health. The grant is available to early-career scientists affiliated with a Belgian university or research institute.
Ilias Semmouri (Ghent University – Blue Growth Lab) will focus on diabetes research with the topic “Marine-Derived Bioactives: Red Seaweed Compounds in Diabetes Prevention and Therapy.”
Type 2 diabetes is caused by a decrease in insulin production and insulin resistance, leading to high blood sugar and complications such as cardiovascular disease. Current medications are effective but can cause side effects, highlighting the need for new, milder therapies. Red seaweeds contain unique sugars such as floridoside, isofloridoside, and digeneaside, which may influence blood sugar and inflammatory processes. This project therefore investigates how these compounds affect glucose metabolism and cellular stress. By combining enzyme inhibition studies, cell-based assays, and antioxidant/metabolic analyses, we aim to better understand how seaweed could help prevent or treat diabetes.
Dr. Edouard Delcroix Incentive Award 2026 - Elias De Craene
The Dr Edouard Delcroix Incentive award, worth EUR 2,500, is awarded annually to an early-stage researcher for an original study on the link between the ocean and human health.
Elias De Craene (VLIZ – OHH Department; Ghent University – Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology; KU Leuven – Behaviour, Health & Psychopathology) receives the 2025 Incentive award for his study “Affect, Awe and Connectedness to the Environment in Different Coastal Areas: An Immersive Video Experiment.”
Coastal environments are increasingly recognized for their beneficial effects on human health, yet their influence on emotional experiences remains understudied. Moreover, coastal settings consist of diverse sub-environments that may evoke different emotional responses. In this randomized crossover study, 60 participants viewed eight immersive videos representing four coastal sub-environments (breakwater, beach, dunes, and dike) and four urban control environments. During viewing, participants continuously reported valence and arousal using a joystick, and afterwards rated the complex emotions awe and connectedness to the environment. Coastal videos elicited higher valence, awe, and connectedness than urban videos. Contrary to expectations, arousal was also higher in the coastal condition, suggesting that coastal scenes evoked more joyful and energized emotional states. Among the coastal environments, the dike elicited lower emotional responses, possibly due to its more built character. Additionally, stronger trait-level emotional connectedness to the ocean was associated with stronger emotional responses. Overall, the study demonstrates that specific coastal features can evoke distinct emotional experiences and offers valuable insights for coastal design and management.
The Dr Delcroix grants highlight the importance of scientific research for both human health and the marine environment. With support from Hydro vzw, founded through a legacy donation from Belgian orthopaedic surgeon and hydrotherapy pioneer Dr Edouard Delcroix (1891–1973), these innovative studies are now being made possible by young marine researchers. Thanks to scientists like Ilias and Elias, a future where ocean science and health go hand in hand is coming ever closer.
