Staff member of the month October 2025 is Juan Bautista Juan López, who joined us from Valencia! Juan has been working in the Greek section since October 2024, when he joined the team of the Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams as a post-doctoral researcher. Giulia Paoletti chatted to Juan about his research, living in Ghent and some recent life updates!
You’ve been here for almost a year now—how has that first year gone for you, and have you discovered any favorite places or things about Ghent or Belgium along the way?
It’s been a very full and rewarding first year! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the department and settling into a rhythm here in Ghent. The city has been such a pleasant surprise—its blend of medieval charm and vibrant student life makes it easy to feel at home. I love cycling along the Oudegentweg towards Nazareth and De Pinte, by the Leie and the Schelde, or out into the surrounding countryside. For quieter moments, I often spend time in the botanical garden or visit the Sint-Stefanuskerk. And one of my favorite weekend rituals is browsing the Sunday book market on the Ajuinlei.
My research focuses on intellectual networks and manuscript production in the Byzantine world, especially during the early Palaiologan period (roughly 1280–1350).
Can you give us the inside scoop on your work at Ghent University—what’s your role and what research are you currently diving into?
I’m a postdoctoral fellow in the Greek Section of the Department of Literary Studies. My day-to-day involves working with the Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams (DBBE)—a digital tool for collecting, cataloguing, and analyzing epigrams (short poems) produced by Byzantine authors. My research focuses on intellectual networks and manuscript production in the Byzantine world, especially during the early Palaiologan period (roughly 1280–1350). I’m particularly interested in how scholars communicated, influenced each other, and passed along texts.
Outside of research, how do you relax and keep your balance?
I try to keep a healthy balance by staying active—I enjoy walking, running, cycling around the outskirts of Ghent, going to the gym, and playing football. Cooking and reading are also ways I like to unwind. I’m a big football fan too, and I always keep an eye on Valencia CF. Beyond that, I make time to explore Belgium outside Ghent. Short trips to cities like Brussels, Leuven, Bruges, Antwerp, or Ostend—sometimes on my own, sometimes with family—have been wonderful ways to recharge.
I make time to explore Belgium outside Ghent. Short trips to cities like Brussels, Leuven, Bruges, Antwerp, or Ostend have been wonderful ways to recharge.
Word on the street is there’s been a big celebration in your life recently… would you like to tell us about it?
Yes! I recently got married. My wife and I come from different countries, so organizing a big celebration back home was tricky. Instead, we chose to celebrate here in Ghent with a small but meaningful ceremony at the beautiful Stadhuis, surrounded by our closest family. After five years together and many shared travels, marking this milestone here felt especially memorable.