Maria Papathanasiou

Dr. Maria Papathanasiou is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, UK. She leads the Papathanasiou Lab, which focuses on adapting Industry 4.0 principles to pharmaceutical and bioprocess systems. Her research emphasizes the development of digital twins for process simulation, optimization, and control, collaborating closely with experimental researchers and industry partners.

Education:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London (2012–2017)
• MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London (2011–2012)
• Diploma in Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (2005–2010)

Research Themes:

• Bioprocess Modelling & Control
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Computer Modelling for Disease Understanding
• Industry 4.0 Integration in Manufacturing

Her lab’s work bridges theoretical models with real-world applications, including tools for vaccine production scaling, personalized medicine supply chains, and carbon capture systems. Collaborations span academia and industry, with a focus on sustainability and resilience in manufacturing.

Affiliations:

• Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering
• National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC)
• CDT in Chemical Biology, Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering

Dr. Papathanasiou advocates for open collaboration and welcomes applications from global students. Her lab actively contributes to pandemic response efforts, including vaccine supply chain strategies and SARS-CoV-2 research.