Downstream Processing Professors and Supervisors

David Gregory WeissbrodtView profile

Professor

Norwegian University of Science And TechnologyNorway

David Gregory Weissbrodt serves as Head of the Department of Biology and Full Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Natural Sciences. Previously, he was a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at Delft University of Technology (2016-2022) and held postdoctoral positions at ETH Zürich and TU Delft. His academic journey spans environmental chemistry, microbiology, and biotechnology with a focus on water-resource nexus solutions. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Environment, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (2013) M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences & Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (2006) Dipl.-Ing. in Chemistry for Life Technologies, HES-SO Valais/Wallis (2003) Professor Weissbrodt's research pioneers nature-based solutions for water security and circular economies. He integrates microbial ecology with engineering to address antibiotic resistance, nutrient recovery, and space agriculture. His work on recirculating aquaculture systems, purple bacteria biotechnology, and lunar hydroponics demonstrates cross-disciplinary innovation. Current projects like LunarPlant and PhageLand translate fundamental science into practical applications for ecological balance and resource recovery. His recent publications (2023-2025) reveal strong trends in antibiotic resistance dynamics (40%), microbial community engineering (30%), and space agriculture applications (15%), with increasing use of molecular techniques like Hi-C sequencing and metagenomics. These studies consistently bridge fundamental ecology with engineered systems for water treatment and resource recovery. His scientific recognition includes: IWA MEWE Early Career Researcher Award (2019) Springer Theses Series recognition (2015) EPFL's Luce Grivat Award (2013) Four consecutive 'Best Teacher' awards at TU Delft (2017-2022) Professor Weissbrodt actively mentors 7 graduate students (3 PhD, 4 MSc) while leading 8 major research projects funded by ESA, Research Council of Norway, and EU programs. His VertiGrow collaboration with SINTEF advances indoor farming, while PhageLand addresses global antibiotic resistance through wetland technology. He emphasizes responsible innovation through policy engagement and citizen science initiatives. Though no formal lab name is used, his research group operates through the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, utilizing NTNU's water technology facilities and collaborating with CIRiS for space-related research. The team combines wet-lab experimentation, computational modeling, and field studies to develop scalable environmental solutions.

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Jannik HollerView profile

Lecturer

Technical University of MittelhessenGermany

Jannik Holler serves as a Lecturer for special tasks at the Institute for Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology (IBPT), Department of LSE, Technical University of Central Hesse in Gießen, Germany. His office is located at Gutfleischstr. 5, Room D10.2.13, with regular availability on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Contact is maintained via jannik.holler@lse.thm.de and phone +49 (0)641 309 2682 by prior arrangement. Research Interests: Dr. Holler's work centers on Bioprocess engineering for pharmaceutical production systems, Bioanalytics for biomolecular characterization, and Pharmaceutical Microbiology ensuring sterility and contamination control. These interconnected fields drive innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing quality and efficiency within industrial and academic contexts. Laboratory: He leads the AG DSP research group at IBPT, focusing on downstream processing technologies and analytical methodologies for biopharmaceutical development. The group operates within the university's Life Science Engineering framework, bridging theoretical research with industrial applications in pharmaceutical technology.

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Sivanadane MandjinyView profile

Professor

University of North Carolina at PembrokeUnited States

Sivanadane Mandjiny serves as Professor and Director of the Biotechnology Research and Training Center at COMTECH, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, operating from the Oxendine Science Building. His dual role integrates academic leadership with hands-on biomanufacturing workforce development. Research centers on industrial bioprocessing optimization, particularly using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a model system. His work spans upstream processing (cell line identification, fermentation) and downstream processing (centrifugation, filtration, chromatography), with specialized focus on ion exchange chromatography. Key investigations compare protein binding capacities of nylon/PVA membranes versus Sepharose/silica gel beads to generate industry-applicable adsorption data. Students receive intensive training in laboratory techniques and Cytiva Chromatographic systems, preparing them for immediate industry contribution. The program successfully trains career-changers with no prior biomanufacturing background, demonstrating strong industry alignment. The Biotechnology Research and Training Center functions as both research hub and workforce pipeline, directly addressing pharmaceutical sector skill requirements through practical, industry-tested protocols.

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Mateusz MarchelView profile

Assistant Professor

Gdańsk University of TechnologyPoland

Mateusz Marchel serves as Assistant Professor at the Department of Sanitary Engineering within the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Gdańsk University of Technology. His workplace is located in Building D of the Chemical Faculty - Engineering Chemical, room 35D, and he can be contacted at mateusz.marchel@pg.edu.pl. Dr. Marchel's research program centers on sustainable chemical technologies with primary expertise in: Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and their applications Green chemistry and environmentally friendly solvents Advanced oxidation processes for environmental remediation Aqueous biphasic systems for biomolecule separation Wastewater treatment technologies His publication record demonstrates a focused research trajectory on developing sustainable alternatives to traditional organic solvents. Dr. Marchel has published extensively on DES properties, applications in analytical chemistry, and limitations in environmental contexts. His work spans fundamental research on DES toxicity and thermal stability to practical applications in chromatography, pollutant removal, and biomolecule separation. His 2025 publications represent cutting-edge developments in DES-based microextraction techniques and HPLC stationary phases, indicating an active and evolving research program. Dr. Marchel maintains active international collaborations, as evidenced by his co-authorship with researchers across multiple institutions worldwide. His work appears in high-impact journals spanning chemistry, environmental science, and chemical engineering disciplines, including Separation and Purification Technology, Talanta, Science of the Total Environment, and Journal of Hazardous Materials.

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Steven B. McMahonView profile

Professor

Thomas Jefferson UniversityUnited States

Steven B. McMahon serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Thomas Jefferson University's College of Life Sciences, concurrently holding the position of Associate Provost. His academic credentials include: PhD in Immunology from the University of Pennsylvania MS in Physiology from Temple University BS in Biology from Albright College Dr. McMahon's research program investigates deregulated biochemical events in human cancer, with primary focus on the transcription factors MYC and p53. His laboratory examines how these factors are regulated in cancer cells, how their transcriptional programs become altered, and the downstream impacts on cellular processes. Current projects specifically explore MYC's role in mitochondrial transcription-driven metabolic reprogramming during malignant transformation, post-translational modification mechanisms controlling p53's tumor suppressor functions, and contributions of SAGA coactivator complex genetic lesions to oncogenesis. Publications demonstrate concentrated expertise in molecular oncology, particularly tumor suppressor pathways and transcriptional regulation in cancer progression, with implications for therapeutic target identification. He leads an active research laboratory within the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology dedicated to advancing cancer mechanism understanding through biochemical and molecular approaches.

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Oscar Alejandro Aguilar-JiménezView profile

Research Professor

Monterrey Institute of TechnologyMexico

Dr. Oscar Alejandro Aguilar-Jiménez serves as a Research Professor at the GIEE in Bioprocesses and Director of Postgraduate Programs in Biotechnology at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education's School of Engineering and Sciences. With over 10 years of academic experience, he oversees the Master's and Doctorate in Biotechnology programs across 8 campuses, managing 90+ professors and researchers and 300+ graduate students. His leadership has secured the Doctorate in Biotechnology's reaccreditation as a CONSOLIDATED Program within SNP-CONAHCYT, where it ranks as the discipline's highest scholarship recipient nationwide. Bachelor of Industrial Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León Master of Science in Biotechnology, Tecnológico de Monterrey PhD in Engineering Sciences, Tecnológico de Monterrey Dr. Aguilar's research spans bioprocess engineering, focusing on protein purification systems, microbial production of pharmaceutical metabolites, and metallic nanoparticle fermentation. His most innovative recent work involves designing microfluidic devices with integrated sensors for biomarker detection. His research integrates multiple scales from microdevices to pilot-plant operations, demonstrating strong translational potential from laboratory to industrial applications. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals dominant themes in bioprocess intensification, particularly in situ product recovery techniques, fermentation optimization, and microfluidic sensor development. His work consistently bridges fundamental biochemical principles with practical engineering applications, with strong emphasis on economic feasibility and scalability. Key research areas include prodigiosin production, protein purification systems, and novel biosensing platforms. Teaching and Research Award at Tecnológico de Monterrey (2014) CONACYT's National Researchers System (SNI) Level 2 certification Member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences As academic leader, Dr. Aguilar has directed and co-directed over 12 master's and doctoral theses while coordinating major accreditation processes for graduate programs. His research group actively pursues funding opportunities focused on bioprocess innovation and technology transfer. He leads the Doctorate in Biotechnology Curriculum upgrade project (ver. 2025) and has spearheaded three successful SNP-CONAHCYT accreditation processes. His laboratory focuses on bioprocess development with emphasis on integrated purification systems and microfluidic technologies.

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Marion Emilie Genevieve BrunckView profile

Researcher

Monterrey Institute of TechnologyMexico

Marion Emilie Genevieve Brunck serves as a Researcher at Tecnológico de Monterrey's School of Engineering within the Department of Biotechnology, where she leads the Biotechnology Center-FEMSA. Her laboratory focuses on immune cell function mechanisms with applications in immunomodulation and therapeutic development. Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland Brisbane Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology and Systems Biology, The University of Queensland Brisbane (2015) Dr. Brunck's research integrates immunology, systems biology, and biotechnology to investigate endogenous/exogenous triggers modifying immune cell phenotypes. Her work spans neutrophil biology, obesity-related immunomodulation, maternal-fetal immunity, and therapeutic cell platform development. The laboratory employs OMICS methodologies, flow cytometry (including BD FACSCelesta), and synthetic biology approaches to study immune cell progenitors and their applications. Her 15 most recent publications demonstrate strong focus on immunometabolism, maternal-child immunology, and translational immunotherapies. Key trends include investigating leukocyte dynamics in breastmilk, macrophage metabolism in cardiometabolic disease, and neutrophil engineering for therapeutic applications. Research spans basic immunology through clinical applications with emphasis on Latin American health contexts. Competitive Research Scholarship from Stem Cells Australia Mexican Researcher Certification - Level 2 Dr. Brunck actively mentors through TEC's School of Engineering postgraduate society (Rho Factor) and SACBE STEM, promoting women in science. She supervises 4 MSc and 2 PhD students in the Brunck Lab, which maintains comprehensive immunology research infrastructure. Her collaborative work includes partnerships with the Mexican Society of Immunology and Mexican Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering. The Brunck Lab operates within the Biotechnology Center-FEMSA at Campus Monterrey, equipped with BD FACSCelesta flow cytometer, biosafety hoods, incubators, and molecular biology equipment. Her team investigates immune cell phenotypic modifications for therapeutic applications while contributing to public science education through the American Association of Blood Banks and STEM outreach initiatives.

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Mirna Alejandra González-GonzálezView profile

Assistant Professor

Monterrey Institute of TechnologyMexico

Mirna Alejandra González-González is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey's School of Engineering and Sciences, where she leads research at the Institute for Obesity Research. Her work bridges chemical engineering principles with biomedical applications, focusing on innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Her educational background includes: Chemical Engineering degree from Tecnológico de Monterrey (2008) PhD in Engineering Sciences with Biotechnology specialization from Tecnológico de Monterrey (2013) González-González's research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields with a strong emphasis on developing novel diagnostic platforms and separation techniques. Her primary research interests include aqueous two-phase systems for biomolecule separation, enzyme-based colorimetric detection of biomarkers, stem cell culture techniques, and disease-specific research in diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and vascular tumors. She has made significant contributions to adapting separation technologies for biomedical applications, particularly in non-invasive diagnostic methods using alternative biofluids like saliva. Her publication record shows consistent growth in high-impact journals, with a clear trajectory toward increasingly complex biomedical applications of chemical engineering principles. Recent work demonstrates expansion into clinical applications of her separation technologies, with growing emphasis on disease-specific research in Latin American populations. Her scientific recognition includes: Premio Mujer TEC 2016 in Science and Technology category Mexican Researcher Certification - Level 1 Multiple awards for innovation and patent generation Recognition from the Red de Oficinas de Transferencia de Tecnología (2019) As an educator, González-González supervises doctoral research and teaches advanced courses including Doctoral Research I, Doctoral Research Proposal III, and Translational Research Project. Her teaching focuses on bridging fundamental engineering principles with practical biomedical applications. She has received recognition for her publications with high indexing levels and has been honored for thesis supervision excellence. Her research group operates at the intersection of chemical engineering and biomedical sciences, with particular strength in aqueous two-phase system applications for cell culture and biomarker detection. The team maintains active connections with clinical researchers studying Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and vascular conditions, facilitating translational research pathways.

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Christoph TreudeView profile

Associate Professor

Max Planck Institute for Security and PrivacyGermany

Christoph Treude is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Singapore Management University. His academic journey includes senior lecturer positions at the University of Melbourne and the University of Adelaide, and postdoctoral research at McGill University, the University of São Paulo, and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Treude's research focuses on improving software quality and developer efficiency through better access to relevant information. His methodology combines empirical studies with tool development that considers natural language artifacts in software repositories. His work spans several key areas of software engineering: Empirical studies of developer behavior and practices Integration of large language models in software development Human-AI collaboration frameworks Software documentation quality and maintenance Reproducibility in scientific software Security practices in code reviews His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the intersection of artificial intelligence and software engineering, examining how AI technologies can enhance developer productivity while maintaining code quality and security. His research often involves large-scale empirical studies across various software ecosystems and developer communities. Treude has received significant recognition for his contributions: ARC Discovery Early Career Research Award (2018-2020) Four best paper awards, including two ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Paper Awards He serves on the Editorial Boards of IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering and Springer's Empirical Software Engineering journal, and holds the role of Open Science Editor for Elsevier's Journal of Systems and Software. Treude has chaired major conferences including ICSME 2020, ICPC 2023, and TechDebt 2023, and regularly participates in software engineering conference program committees. His research has been funded by industry leaders including Google, Facebook, and DST, and he has authored over 150 scientific articles with more than 250 co-authors.

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