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Dipti NayakView profile

Assistant Professor

• Archaeal Biology
• Methanogenesis
• Microbial Physiology
• +3 more

Dr. Dipti Nayak is an Assistant Professor specializing in archaeal biology, focusing on methanogenic archaea as model systems to study molecular and cellular processes unique to Archaea. Her research investigates methanogenesis, a key metabolic trait, and its implications for climate change and human health. The Nayak Lab develops genetic, genomic, and biochemical tools for methanogenic archaea of the genus Methanosarcina , enabling studies of their physiology, evolution, and cell biology. Their work bridges archaeal biochemistry with environmental and ecological contexts, emphasizing the global significance of methane production. Research interests include archaeal cell biology, metabolic pathways, and the evolution of methanogenic traits. The lab employs cutting-edge techniques such as CRISPR-based genome editing and transcriptomic analysis to dissect methanogenesis mechanisms. Applications of this research extend to understanding microbial contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and developing sustainable biotechnological solutions. While no specific academic awards are listed, Dr. Nayak’s contributions to archaeal genetics and metabolism are highlighted through her peer-reviewed publications. The lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, integrating molecular biology, biochemistry, and environmental science. Future directions include expanding synthetic biology approaches in archaea and exploring archaeal contributions to global carbon cycles.

Nik WilloughbyView profile

Professor

• Bioprocessing
• Sustainable Biotechnology
• Protein Recovery
• +3 more

Nik Willoughby is a Professor at Heriot-Watt University (HWU), affiliated with the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences and the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering. He holds a PhD from University College London (1999) and has extensive experience in downstream bioprocessing, protein recovery, and cellular therapies. His research focuses on sustainable bioprocessing, novel separation methods, and valorization of industrial by-products such as malt whisky waste and langoustine shells. Research Interests: Bioprocessing and process development Protein and amino acid recovery Sustainable biorefineries Cellular therapy purification Agricultural waste valorization His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and life below water (SDG 13). He co-founded Horizon Proteins, a company commercializing whisky by-product protein recovery, and serves as its CTO. He chairs the Scottish Bioeconomy Council, shaping national industrial biotechnology strategies. Recent research highlights include studies on whisky fermentation kinetics, algal biomass dewatering via microfluidics, and circular biorefinery design for spent grains. His publications span 54 peer-reviewed articles since 1999, emphasizing industrial symbiosis and resource efficiency.

Ehssan KoupaieView profile

Assistant Professor

• Waste management
• Wastewater treatment
• Biochemical engineering
• +6 more

Ehssan Koupaie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Queen's University, Canada. His research focuses on Environmental BioEngineering, particularly on sustainable waste-to-energy technologies, anaerobic digestion optimization, and wastewater treatment processes. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of British Columbia (2017) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto. Key affiliations include the Beaty Water Research Centre and cross-appointments in the Department of Chemical Engineering. His research integrates anaerobic digestion, thermal hydrolysis, and nanotechnology to enhance bioenergy recovery from organic waste. Current projects address pretreatment technologies, co-digestion of municipal/industrial waste, sludge treatment, and sidestream wastewater treatment. Education: Ph.D. (2017, UBC), M.Sc. (2011, Amirkabir University), B.Sc. (2008, Isfahan University of Technology). Professional memberships include the American Water Works Association and the Canadian Society of Civil Engineering. Research emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, with over 100 publications in journals such as Water Research, Bioresource Technology, and Environmental Science & Technology. Key contributions include novel radio frequency thermal hydrolysis systems and probabilistic health risk assessments of biosolids use.

• Enzymology
• Biochemistry
• Antioxidant Studies
• +3 more

İsmail KILIÇ is an Associate Professor at Trakya University's Faculty of Education in Edirne, Turkey. He holds a Doctoral degree in Chemistry from Trakya University's Institute of Science (2003), focusing on lipase characterization from hazelnut seeds. His academic credentials include a Master's (1996) and Bachelor's (1993) in Chemistry. His research spans enzymology, antioxidant studies, and educational methodologies. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, 1993 Master’s Degree in Chemistry, 1996 Doctoral Degree in Chemistry, 2003 (Thesis: Purification and characterization of lipase from hazelnut seed) Research Interests: Enzyme characterization and applications (lipases, trypsin) Antioxidant activity of natural compounds (plant extracts, phenolic acids) Problem-based learning in science education Environmental applications of activated carbon Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles in SCI-indexed journals including Current Pharmaceutical Analysis , Spectrochimica Acta , and Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society . Key contributions include studies on p-coumaric acid antioxidant mechanisms and enzyme-catalyzed esterification reactions. Grants & Labs: No specific grants or laboratory affiliations explicitly stated in the text.

Giacomo BergaminiView profile

Professor

• Photocatalysis
• Solar Energy Conversion
• Nanomaterials
• +3 more

Giacomo Bergamini is a Full Professor at the University of Bologna, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician'. He serves as a delegate for Sustainability and focuses on photocatalysis, solar energy conversion, and nanomaterials. His research emphasizes developing sustainable systems for hydrogen production, energy storage, and light-driven chemical synthesis. Key projects include pH-responsive photocatalysts, microfluidic setups for biochemical reactions, and advanced materials like RuO₂ nanostructures and porphyrin systems. He leads the Bergamini Group, actively involved in creating light-activated catalysts and functional nanomaterials. His work bridges fundamental chemistry with applied technologies, addressing global energy and environmental challenges. Research interests span nanomaterial design, supramolecular architectures, and renewable energy systems. Notable contributions include titanium- and bismuth-mediated photocatalytic reactions, luminescent sensors, and solar-to-chemical energy conversion frameworks. He collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, such as the Climate City Contract initiative for Bologna, integrating academic research with urban sustainability goals. His lab develops novel methodologies for carbon-oxygen bond formation, enantioselective reactions, and energy-efficient synthesis. Recent efforts focus on colloidal semiconductor systems and MOFs for environmental sensing. Despite no listed awards, his high-impact publications and active grant participation highlight his scholarly contributions. The group also explores microfluidic automation and biocompatible materials for biomedical applications.

David StrikView profile

Associate Professor

• Biorefinery
• Circular Economy
• Microbial Biotechnology
• +4 more

Dr. David Strik is an Associate Professor at Wageningen University's Department of Environmental Technology and serves as Platform Manager of UNLOCK, a large-scale infrastructure for microbial research. He focuses on biorefinery approaches to advance the circular economy through microbial processes in open-culture bioreactors. His work includes converting organic, bioplastic, and CO₂ waste into biochemicals via microbial chain elongation and electrochemical recovery techniques. Research tools include life cycle assessments and techno-economic analyses to evaluate technologies' feasibility. Education: PhD in Anaerobic Digestion (BOKU University, 2004); MSc in Environmental Sciences (Wageningen University, 1999). Professional roles include leading the Carboxylate Group, which develops systems for carbon material recovery and bioelectrochemical processes. He contributes to interdisciplinary projects like AVIATION FUEL FROM BIOMASS STREAMS and UNLOCK-Unlocking Microbial Potential. Research interests emphasize microbial electrosynthesis, carboxylate platform development, and sustainable waste valorization. His articles (2021–2025) explore topics such as carbon capture via syngas fermentation, microbial catalyst formation, and bioelectrochemical systems for CO₂ conversion. He teaches courses on environmental technology, biorefinery, and circular economy strategies. Labs/Teams: Coordinates the Carboxylate Group and oversees UNLOCK facilities. Engages in applied research bridging academic and industrial partnerships.

• Environmental Engineering
• Bioremediation
• Waste Treatment
• +3 more

Cees Buisman is a WIMEK Personal Professor in Biological Recovery & Re-use Technology at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on innovative waste treatment technologies, including anaerobic digestion, bioreactor engineering, and resource recovery from organic waste streams. He specializes in optimizing microbial processes for sulfur, phosphorus, and carbon recovery systems. Recent work emphasizes biogas purification, CO₂ utilization for methane production, and sustainable manure management. Key areas of expertise include biochemical reactor design, microbial community dynamics under extreme conditions, and circular economy solutions for industrial waste. He supervises multiple PhD projects on phosphorus crystallization, livestock waste valorization, and soil microbial health. His contributions span over 429 publications and 39 datasets, with active collaborations in thermophilic digestion and blackwater treatment technologies.

• Photosynthesis
• Energy Transduction
• Bioenergetic Processes
• +3 more

James P. Allen is a Professor of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU). He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on energy transduction in photosynthesis, artificial protein design, and bioenergetic processes. Education: Ph.D., University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (1982). Postdoctoral fellow, UC San Diego. Research Interests: Allen’s work explores protein function in biological systems, particularly photosynthetic energy conversion and disease-related protein alterations. His lab uses biochemical and biophysical methods, including X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy, to study protein structures and electron/proton transfer mechanisms. Recent efforts include designing Mn-containing artificial proteins to mimic natural systems and developing water-splitting catalysts. Publications: Over 150 articles, including studies on hybrid catalysts for hydrogen production, bacterial reaction centers with Mn cofactors, and structural analyses of nitrate reductases. Grants & Awards: Multiple NSF, NIH, and NASA grants for projects on reaction center photochemistry, bio-inspired solar fuel systems, and membrane protein structures. Notable grants include the Center for Membrane Proteins in Infectious Diseases (MPID) and the EFR Center for Bio-Inspired Solar Fuel Production. Teaching: Courses in Biophysical Chemistry, Research Techniques, and Biochemistry Labs. Labs/Teams: Collaborations with Petra Fromme, Giovanna Ghirlanda, and Neal Woodbury on structural biology, artificial proteins, and energy systems.

• Biochemistry
• Enzymology
• Metabolic Pathways
• +3 more

Douglas Warui is an Associate Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on enzymology, biochemistry, and metabolic pathways, with particular emphasis on protein interactions and catalytic mechanisms. His work includes studies on lipoylation pathways, mitochondrial ferredoxins, and hydrogenase maturation processes. He has also contributed to understanding fatty acid conversion mechanisms and enzymatic oxygenation reactions. Warui's research integrates structural biology, enzymology, and biotechnology to explore topics such as copper-dependent cell death mechanisms, enzyme substrate delivery systems, and catalytic intermediates. His recent work has highlighted the role of lipoyl-H-protein in DTMA ligand biosynthesis and the functional specificity of mitochondrial ferredoxins FDX1 and FDX2. He has also investigated the biochemical pathways involved in converting fatty acids into biofuels through aldehyde deformylating oxygenase systems. His publications span a decade of contributions to enzymology, with a focus on redox reactions, oxygenases, and protein engineering. While no formal awards are cited here, his prolific publication record reflects significant scholarly impact in biochemistry and biotechnology. Warui collaborates on projects involving protein-ligand interactions and has explored small molecule inhibitors targeting HIV-1 RNA complexes. His research often employs in vitro systems to dissect catalytic processes and protein interactions, contributing to both fundamental understanding and potential biotechnological applications.

• Mathematical modeling
• Partial Differential Equations (PDE)
• Numerical methods
• +10 more

Assoc. Prof. Anton Stoilov is an Associate Professor at South-West University in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. He holds a Ph.D. in Energy Conversion Technology (2006) and a Master's in Physics (2001), both from South-West University. His teaching focuses on personal productivity with IT and website development. His research spans mathematical modeling, PDEs, numerical methods, computer science, engineering, and physics, with notable work in bioinformatics, HPC, embedded systems, and medical instrumentation. Education: Ph.D. in Energy Conversion Technology and Systems, South-West University, 2006 Master of Physics, South-West University, 2001 Research Interests: Mathematical modeling and numerical methods Partial differential equations (PDE) and their applications High Performance Computing (HPC) in bioinformatics Embedded systems and sensor technology Web design and server administration Particle physics and collider experiments (e.g., HERA) Publications Trends: Recent work includes hypermedia communication technologies (2019), MATHDebate teaching methodologies (2018), and bioinformatics algorithms (2018–2016). Earlier contributions focused on particle physics experiments at HERA (2006–2007) and thermal analysis of solar systems (2004–2006). His articles bridge computational science, engineering, and education. Awards: None explicitly listed. Advising/Grants: No student advisees or grants mentioned in the provided text. Labs/Teams: Not specified in available information.

Shveta SoamView profile

Researcher

• Environmental Science
• Biofuel Production
• Life Cycle Assessment
• +4 more

Shveta Soam is a Researcher affiliated with Gävle University in Sweden, with a focus on environmental science and sustainable energy systems. Her work emphasizes life cycle assessment (LCA), biofuel production from biomass, and hydrogen energy. She holds a PhD from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (India), awarded in 2017. Her research spans biogas systems, biofuel sustainability in Sweden and India, and the environmental implications of renewable energy technologies. Education: PhD in Environmental Science, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India (2017) Research Interests: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of biofuels and hydrogen systems Biomass utilization for renewable energy Biogas and bioethanol production from agricultural and food waste Sustainability analysis of transport fuels and energy policies Key Research Focus Areas: Hydrogen production from biowaste and biomass Environmental and economic feasibility of biofuels in Sweden Optimization of biomass pretreatment processes Climate impact of forest residue-based biofuels Publications Overview: Dr. Soam has published extensively on topics such as LCA of biofuels, biogas value chains, and hydrogen sustainability. Her work bridges technical innovation with policy implications, emphasizing real-world applications of renewable energy systems. Advising & Grants: No formal advisees listed, but her research collaborations involve international teams. Funding sources and grant details are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science
• Energy Research
• +7 more

Timo Kikas is a Tenured Professor of Biosystems Engineering at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EULS), leading the Chair of Biosystems Engineering within the Institute of Forestry and Engineering. He has held academic positions at EULS since 2011, previously serving as a Professor of Bioenergy and in various administrative roles, including Director of Türi College and Programme Director at the University of Tartu. PhD in Chemical Plume Tracking from Georgia Institute of Technology (2002) MSc in Biochemical Processes from University of Tartu (1996) His research focuses on bioenergy, biomass valorization, and sustainable technologies, including torrefaction, anaerobic digestion, and microbial conversion. Key interests include lignocellulosic biomass processing, advanced biofuel production, and environmental applications. Recent work emphasizes integrated processes for bioenergy and biochemicals from waste materials, such as pulp sludge and agricultural residues. He has authored over 150 publications and holds patents in biomass conversion technologies. Awards include Tartu City recognitions for organizing international conferences and the EULS Innovative Idea Award. He serves on editorial boards and scientific committees globally, including the International Energy Agency Task 37 Biogas.

• Biotechnology
• Energetic Research
• Biochemical Technology
• +3 more

Sharib Khan is a Research Fellow at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, affiliated with the Institute of Forestry and Engineering's Chair of Biosystems Engineering. His research focuses on electrochemical valorization of lignin and biorefinery technologies. He holds a Master's in Bioengineering from the University of Tartu and is pursuing a PhD under supervisors Timo Kikas and Sabarathinam Shanmugam. Education: PhD Candidate: Electrochemical Valorization of Lignin in Protic Ionic Liquid Environment (Estonian University of Life Sciences, ongoing) Master's in Bioengineering: Enzymatic Oxidation of Biorefinery Lignin (University of Tartu, 2021) Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology (IMS Engineering College, India, 2018) Research Interests: Electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, lignin valorization, sustainable biorefinery processes, and applications of ionic liquids. His work aims to convert lignocellulosic biomass into valuable materials like resins, plastics, and pharmaceutical intermediates. Awards: Erasmus+ Mobility Traineeship Grant (2023) FRENCH INSTITUTE NORDIC AWARD – CIRCULAR ECONOMY (2023) The Green Step Award (2023) Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator: Unlocking Lignocellulosic Biomass for Lignin-Based Drug Intermediates and FDCA Production (€270k, Estonian Research Council, 2025-2029) Contributor: Novel Biorefinery Concepts for Lignocellulosic Residues (EEA & Norway Grants, 2021-2024) Professional Activities: Participated in INTERACT Summer School (2023), Finnish Training School for LignoCOST (2022), and BIOHACKATHON (2019-2021).

• Biotechnology
• Renewable Resources
• Biofuel Production
• +3 more

Anjana Hari is a Junior Researcher at Estonian University of Life Sciences, specializing in biotechnology with a focus on bio-surfactant production, lignocellulosic biomass utilization, and renewable energy systems. She holds a Master's in Biotechnology from Bharathiar University (2011) and is pursuing a PhD on 'Production of bio-surfactants from thermally valorized lignocellulosic biomass' under Timo Kikas. Her research explores sustainable biofuel production, anaerobic digestion, and waste-to-energy solutions. She has been awarded the 'Best Poster' at the 2023 New Horizons in Biotechnology Conference and an Erasmus+ scholarship for advanced training in mass spectrometry. Her work spans 13 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on biosurfactant production challenges, biodiesel optimization, and nanomaterial applications in biogas systems. Teaching includes the course 'Biomass to Biofuels and Biogas' at Eesti Maaülikool. She contributes to projects like 'Lignin-Based Drug Intermediates Production' (€270k funding) and pilot studies on anaerobic digestion systems. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges biotechnology, environmental engineering, and chemical processes to advance sustainable technologies.

• Microbial Valorisation
• Waste Utilization
• Biorefinery
• +3 more

Viveka Balasundararajan is a Junior Research Fellow and PhD student at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, affiliated with the Chair of Biosystems Engineering. Her research focuses on microbial valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass and anaerobic fermentation optimization using thermal degradation by-products. She holds a BSc in Horticulture (2016) and MSc in Agricultural Microbiology (2018) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. Education: Bachelor's in Horticulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (2012–2016) Master's in Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (2016–2018) Research Interests: Microbial valorisation of biomass Waste-to-biochemical conversion Sustainable biorefinery systems Quorum sensing in plant-associated bacteria Awards: Best Oral Presentation (2020) ASRB-NET & GATE Qualifications (2018) Indian Ministry Fellowship (2017) Projects: Leading the project 'Levoglucosan-to-biochemicals: Production, Separation, and Microbial Valorisation' (2023–2027). Collaborating on lignin-based bioproduct development (2025–2029). Professional Development: Attended courses on anaerobic digestion (University of Galway, 2024) and downstream processing (Delft University of Technology, 2024).