Find Academic Supervisors

Gonzalo Guillén GosálbezView profile

Professor

• Process Systems Engineering
• Sustainable Chemistry
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• +7 more

Prof. Dr. Gonzalo Guillén Gosálbez is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences , ETH Zürich. He holds a PhD in Process Systems Engineering (UPC, 2005) and has held academic positions at Imperial College London (Reader), University of Manchester (Senior Lecturer), and Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Assistant/Associate Professor). His research focuses on Sustainable Chemical Processes , integrating life cycle assessment, optimization techniques, and planetary boundary analysis to evaluate and design low-carbon technologies. Current position: Full Professor, ETH Zürich (2019–present) Prior roles: Imperial College London (2016–2019), University of Manchester (2014–2016), URV Spain (2008–2014) Education: PhD (UPC, 2005), MEng/BEng (University of Murcia) His research explores CO2 valorization , green methanol synthesis , circular marine fuels , and planetary boundary compliance in energy and chemical systems. Recent work emphasizes machine learning for process modeling, single-atom catalysis , and decentralized ammonia production . Scientific contributions include 15+ peer-reviewed articles (2023–2025) in journals like Nature Chemical Engineering , ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering , and Energy & Environmental Science . Key themes: Optimization of hybrid fossil/renewable carbon systems Environmental impacts of energy transitions Catalyst design for sustainable chemistry Life cycle assessment of emerging technologies Awarded UPC Top Doctoral Student Award and Top National Student Award , he combines process systems engineering with sustainability metrics to address global challenges in chemical and energy systems.

Johannes LercherView profile

Professor

• Catalysis
• Sustainable Energy
• Chemical Engineering
• +3 more

Prof. Johannes A. Lercher is a retired professor (as of April 2023) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), holding the Chair of Chemical Technology II within the Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis, particularly understanding catalytic processes at solid-liquid and solid-gas interfaces, with applications in sustainable energy production, CO₂ conversion, and catalytic upcycling of polymers. He has held academic positions at the University of Twente (Netherlands) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (USA), and has been Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Catalysis . His honors include the Alwin Mittasch Prize (2021), ENI Award (2016), and Kozo Tanabe Prize (2013). His recent work emphasizes low-temperature polymer upcycling, methane activation, and bioinspired catalyst design, leveraging advanced spectroscopic and operando techniques. Despite retirement, his contributions to catalysis research remain impactful. Education: PhD (1980) and Habilitation (1985), Vienna University of Technology Visiting Lecturer, Yale University (1982) Research Interests: Heterogeneous catalysis, catalytic interfaces, sustainable energy carriers, CO₂ valorization, and polymer waste upcycling. Key areas include: Design of catalysts for selective hydrocarbon synthesis Mechanistic studies using advanced spectroscopy Development of scalable catalytic processes for industrial applications Recent Trends in Publications: Focus on low-temperature polymer recycling (e.g., PVC and polyolefin upcycling), methane activation via novel catalysts (e.g., Co 2+ in ZSM-5), and bioinspired catalytic strategies. His work bridges fundamental catalysis with industrial relevance, emphasizing sustainability and energy efficiency. Awards and Recognition: Member, Academia Europaea and US National Academy of Engineering Recipient of multiple international catalysis awards (see full list above) Grants and Labs: Led the Institute for Integrated Catalysis (Pacific Northwest National Lab, 2011–present). His research groups have pioneered studies on zeolite-confined reactions and interfacial catalysis, with collaborations spanning academia and industry. Labs/Teams: Active in the TUM Department of Chemistry and international networks focused on catalytic innovation for a carbon-neutral economy.

Shanshan XuView profile

Lecturer

• Catalysis
• Nonthermal Plasma Catalysis
• Heterogeneous Catalysis
• +6 more

Shanshan Xu is a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellow and Academic Lecturer in Catalysis at the Department of Materials, University of Manchester, since January 2025. She specializes in heterogeneous catalytic systems for sustainable chemical reactions, including hydrogen production, nitrogen fixation, and CO2 conversion, employing operando X-ray spectroscopy and DRIFTS techniques to study catalytic mechanisms. Previously, she worked on the EU-funded Laurelin project, focusing on CO2 conversion to renewable methanol using nonthermal plasma catalysis. She earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering (2021) and MSc in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Manchester. Her research interests span catalyst design (metal oxides, porous materials like zeolites and MOFs), operando spectroscopy (XAS, XPDF, IR), and sustainable chemistry. She leads the UoMaH research group at the University of Manchester-Harwell, collaborating internationally. Xu is actively mentoring PhD students and supervising projects in catalysis, with funding opportunities through scholarships like the President’s Doctoral Scholarship and the University of Manchester-CSC joint program. Notable awards include the Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellowship (2024), Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship (2017), and First Prize in the China ShaoXing Innovation Competition (2023). Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to clean energy and sustainable industrial processes. Xu’s lab focuses on advancing catalyst design through operando studies, with emphasis on nonthermal plasma systems. She collaborates on projects like the UoMaH initiative, exploring nanoparticle behavior and catalytic materials for industrial applications.

Xiaolei FanView profile

Associate Professor

• Nonthermal Plasma Catalysis
• Catalytic CO2 Conversion
• Zeolite-Based Catalysis
• +5 more

Xiaolei Fan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Manchester. He holds a BEng in Environmental Engineering from Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology (2003), an MRes in Chemical Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology (2006), and a PhD in Continuous Flow Heterogeneous Catalysis from the University of Bath (2010). His research focuses on nonthermal plasma catalysis, CO2 conversion, catalytic biorefinery, and zeolite-based catalysts. He has contributed to over 180 publications, supervised 20+ students, and led projects like the EU-funded SPACING initiative for biofuel production. Research interests include porous materials, reaction engineering, and process intensification through structured reactors/catalysts. He chairs the RSC Heterogeneous Catalysis committee and has organized conferences like the International Conference on Environmental Catalysis. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in clean energy and sustainable chemistry. Education: BEng (Environmental Engineering), Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, 2003 MRes (Chemical Engineering), East China University of Science and Technology, 2006 PhD (Chemical Engineering), University of Bath, 2010 Awards: Lee Hsun Lecture Award (2018) Zhenxing Scholar Professor Award (2018) Outstanding Achievement Recognition (2018) Grants/Projects: SPACING: Sustainable Production of ACrylic Acid from Renewable Waste Glycerol (2021–2024) Labs/Teams: Catalysis and Porous Materials Group at The University of Manchester

David Chester UphamView profile

Assistant Professor

• Heterogeneous catalysis
• Clean energy
• CO2-free chemical conversion
• +7 more

David Chester Upham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering within the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He leads the Upham Lab, which focuses on developing catalysts and processes for sustainable energy production, greenhouse gas mitigation, and CO 2 -free chemical conversion. Dr. Upham received his education from prestigious institutions: Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University (2019) Ph.D., University of California Santa Barbara (2017) B.Eng., McGill University (2010) Dr. Upham's research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis for sustainable energy applications. His work centers on developing catalysts and processes that enable CO 2 -free production of chemicals, power, and materials. He specializes in liquid heterogeneous catalysts , particularly molten metal alloys, for methane conversion, CO 2 utilization, and hydrogen production. His lab employs advanced techniques including operando IR spectroscopy, pulsed and transient analysis of reaction mechanisms, isotopic labeling studies, and in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy. A key aspect of his research is understanding how liquid heterogeneous catalysts behave under reaction conditions, with applications in methane pyrolysis, dry reforming, and carbon fiber synthesis. Analysis of Dr. Upham's recent publications reveals a strong focus on CO 2 mitigation and clean energy production . His work spans multiple domains including methane conversion technologies, CO 2 -to-fuels processes, and carbon-negative fuel production. A significant portion of his research investigates molten metal catalysts for methane pyrolysis and dry reforming, with applications in hydrogen production and carbon capture. His publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach combining chemical engineering, materials science, and environmental engineering to address climate change challenges through innovative catalytic processes. Dr. Upham actively mentors a diverse group of graduate students and researchers. His lab currently includes multiple PhD and MASc students working on various aspects of catalysis and clean energy: PhD Students: Mark Tabbara, Genpei Cai, Natascha Miederhoff MASc Students: Michael Byun, Sawyer d'Entremont, Rami Jubeili, Wyatt Schnare Postdoctoral researcher: Sonit Balyan Multiple undergraduate and visiting students from institutions worldwide The Upham Lab operates within UBC's Catalysis Labs, utilizing advanced experimental techniques to study reaction mechanisms and develop new catalysts. The lab's research has significant implications for decarbonizing the energy and chemical sectors, with potential applications in hydrogen production, carbon fiber manufacturing, and CO 2 -to-fuels technologies.

Hossein NamiView profile

Associate Professor

• Power-to-X
• Hydrogen
• E-fuel
• +3 more

Hossein Nami is an Associate Professor at the Department of Green Technology (IGT) and SDU Life Cycle Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark . His research focuses on Power-to-X , Hydrogen production , E-fuel , and system modeling for sustainable energy solutions. PhD, University of Tabriz (2018) Postdoc, Technical University of Denmark (2020-2022) Assistant Professor, University of Southern Denmark (2022-2025) Nami's research output includes 15 articles (2024-2026) on topics like ammonia-fueled fuel cells , geothermal cycles , chemical looping combustion , and electrolysis optimization . His work emphasizes techno-economic analysis, exergy efficiency, and multi-objective optimization for low-carbon energy systems. He leads the FLEX-ENVIRONMENT project (2024-2027) on electrolyzer integration and contributes to CARMA-Green Fuels (2023-2026) and GRACE (2025) for carbon management and grid-aware investment. His teaching includes supervision of MSc theses on renewable hydrocarbons and power-to-X technologies at SDU.

Vishnu PareekView profile

Professor

• Multiphase Flow Modelling
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Flow Assurance
• +7 more

Professor Vishnu Pareek is the John Curtin Distinguished Professor at Curtin University, leading the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He has held academic roles including Dean of Engineering, Head of School, and various professorships since 2002. His research focuses on multiphase flow modeling, computational fluid dynamics, and reactor engineering, with applications in energy and chemical processes. He holds a BE (Hons) from MNIT, MTech from IIT Delhi, and a PhD from UNSW. Key research interests include LNG process modeling, erosion modeling, and granular flow dynamics. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work emphasizing structured packing design, biomass gasification, and additive manufacturing for process intensification. Notable projects include CFD-ANN hybrid models for fluidized beds and experimental studies on 3D-printed structured packings. His expertise spans industrial collaborations in LNG safety, fluid catalytic cracking, and biofuel production. Teaching areas include chemical engineering fundamentals and process systems engineering. He advises on energy policy and leads research teams in multiphase flow and reactor design.

Peter WellsView profile

Associate Professor

• Heterogeneous Catalysis
• Operando Spectroscopy
• Nanoparticle Design
• +3 more

Professor Peter Wells is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, with a joint appointment at Diamond Light Source. His research focuses on operando spectroscopy, heterogeneous catalysis, and nanoparticle design. He coordinates the CHEM3054 module on Inorganic Materials Chemistry and holds a Fellow accreditation from the Higher Education Academy. Education: MChem in Chemistry (University of Surrey, 2003) PhD in tailored metal nanoparticle preparation and characterization (University of Southampton, 2007) His research integrates advanced X-ray techniques (e.g., X-ray absorption spectroscopy) with computational methods like DFT simulations to study catalyst dynamics. Key areas include stabilizing structural changes in palladium nanoparticles and designing nanoparticle catalysts for sustainable chemical production from waste biomass. He collaborates with the UK Catalysis Hub and serves on peer-review panels for Diamond Light Source and the Swiss Light Source. Active Research Projects (EPSRC): Core Equipment 2024 (£1.26M, PI) Nitridic and Carbidic Pd Nanoparticles for Directed Catalysis Peter supervises multiple PhD students in Chemistry and actively mentors researchers through collaborative grants. His work bridges experimental and theoretical approaches to catalysis, emphasizing real-time structural analysis under operational conditions.

Judy HartView profile

Associate Professor

• Renewable Energy Materials
• Photocatalysis
• Solar Cells
• +5 more

Associate Professor Judy Hart is a materials scientist at the School of Materials Science & Engineering, UNSW Sydney , specializing in the development of semiconducting materials for renewable energy applications. Her work integrates computational (DFT) and experimental approaches to understand composition-property relationships in systems like solid solutions , heterostructures , and doped materials for photocatalysis and solar cells . She leads projects funded by ARC Discovery and Linkage grants , including work on photo-electro-catalysis systems and stabilizing ceramic materials . Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (Monash University, 2007), BEng (Materials) (Monash, 2002) Professional Experience: Senior Lecturer (UNSW, 2017–), Lecturer (UNSW, 2013–2017), University of Bristol (2007–2012) Research Interests Her research focuses on designing materials for renewable energy , particularly photoelectrochemical water splitting and organic oxidation reactions . Key areas include Density Functional Theory (DFT) , defect engineering , band gap tuning , and nanostructured materials . She investigates ferroelectric polarization effects , metal oxide heterostructures , and stability of battery components , with applications in hydrogen production , CO2 conversion , and advanced battery materials . Scientific Awards Ramsay Memorial Fellowship (University of Bristol, 2007–2009) Teaching Contributions She is co-author of the 1st Australian & New Zealand edition of "Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction" , and teaches courses on computational materials science , corrosion-resistant surfaces , mechanical behavior of metals , and materials design .

• Energy
• Renewable energy
• Hydrogen
• +17 more

Andrea Lanzini is a Full Professor in the Department of Energy (DENERG) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he is also a member of the Interdepartmental Center Ec-L - Energy Center Lab. He serves as Scientific Advisor for the Partnership Agreement with Edison and Electricité de France (EDF). His academic and research leadership spans energy system integration, hydrogen technologies, fuel cells, renewable energy communities, and industrial decarbonization. His research interests focus on fuel cell and hydrogen technology , energy system integration and modeling , industrial decarbonization , and renewable energy communities . He leads the M3ES research group and is deeply involved in both fundamental and applied research, with a strong emphasis on sustainable urban energy systems and clean energy transitions. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on hydrogen production and storage, fuel cell durability and performance, biogas and biomethane technologies, and the optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems. His work often combines experimental investigation with techno-economic and environmental assessment, particularly in off-grid and community-scale energy applications. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Grant awarded by United States Department of State - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs/The US-Italy Fulbright Commission, United States (2010) Prof. Lanzini actively supervises numerous PhD students and leads a wide array of research projects, including major EU-funded initiatives such as HYWAY, NoMaH, TIPS4PED, and EDUPED, as well as numerous commercial research contracts with industry and municipalities. He is a key contributor to national and international efforts in energy transition, particularly through his work on Positive Energy Districts and renewable energy communities. His research has significant implications for energy policy, urban planning, and industrial sustainability. He is involved in several research groups and collaborative agreements, including the M3ES Research Group (DENERG) and partnerships with RSE SpA, Edison, EDF, and various public administrations. His work is central to the activities of the Energy Center Lab at Politecnico di Torino.

Mita DasogView profile

Associate Professor

• Nanomaterials
• Solar Energy
• Catalysis
• +3 more

Mita Dasog is an Associate Professor and Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Research Chair in the Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Science at Dalhousie University. Her research focuses on engineering nanomaterials for sustainable energy and environmental solutions. Her educational background includes: BSc from the University of Saskatchewan PhD from the University of Alberta Postdoctoral Fellowship at the California Institute of Technology The Dasog Research Group pioneers solid-state synthesis of functional nanomaterials, specializing in photocatalysts , electrocatalysts , porous structures , and plasmonic systems . Their work deciphers reaction mechanisms to optimize materials for hydrogen production , solar desalination , water purification , and chemical sensing , bridging fundamental chemistry with real-world applications. Analysis of her 2018-2021 publications reveals dominant themes in nanomaterial design for renewable energy , particularly silicon-based photocatalysts for hydrogen generation, transition metal nitrides for solar evaporation, and biochar-derived electrocatalysts. Her work consistently integrates materials chemistry , nanofabrication , and sustainability metrics across energy and environmental domains. Major recognitions include: Member of the Royal Society of Canada College (2021) Izaak Walton Killam Research Chair (2021) Global Young Academy Membership (2020) Nova Scotia Emerging Professional Award (2020) President’s Emerging Investigator Award (2019) Dr. Dasog mentors a dynamic team including postdoc Harshitha Rajashekhar, graduate students (Emma, Fay, Miranda, Kogie, Sarrah, Dreenan, Blaine), and honors student Mark. Her trainees have secured prestigious awards like the Gerry Dauphinee Scholarship and CIC Best Poster Prize, supported by competitive grants enabling cutting-edge nanomaterials research. The research group operates from Chemistry Building Labs 436/438 at Dalhousie, maintaining collaborative partnerships focused on scalable nanomaterial solutions for global energy and water challenges.

Fengqi YouView profile

Professor

• Sustainable Energy Systems
• Artificial Intelligence
• Complex Systems
• +9 more

Fengqi You is the Roxanne E. and Michael J. Zak Professor in Energy Systems Engineering at Cornell University. He holds affiliations with multiple departments and graduate fields, including Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, and Sustainability. His research focuses on systems engineering, artificial intelligence, and their applications in energy systems, digital agriculture, and sustainability. You serves as Chair of Ph.D. Studies in Systems Engineering and leads initiatives like the Cornell AI for Sustainability Initiative (CAISI) and the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture (CIDA). Education: B.Eng. from Tsinghua University (2005), Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University (2009). Before Cornell, he worked at Argonne National Laboratory and Northwestern University. Research Interests Decarbonization of energy systems (e.g., photovoltaics, battery tech) Material informatics and computer-aided molecular design AI-driven solutions for agriculture and climate resilience Supply chain optimization and smart manufacturing Awards & Recognition Fellow of AAAS, AIChE, and Royal Society of Chemistry Over 25 major awards including NSF CAREER (2016), AIChE Research Excellence (2017), and the 2024 Cecil Award Grants & Leadership Recipient of NSF NRT Award for AI in Sustainability Sciences Amazon Research Award for LCA transparency using LLMs Labs & Initiatives Cornell AI for Science Institute (CUAISci) Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture (CIDA)

Christoph MüllerView profile

Professor

• Energy Science and Engineering
• Heterogeneous Catalysis
• CO₂ Capture and Conversion
• +3 more

Christoph Müller is a Full Professor of Energy Science and Engineering at ETH Zürich's Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. He leads the Laboratory of Energy Science and Engineering, focusing on sustainable energy generation, heterogeneous catalysis, and granular systems. His research integrates experimental methods like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) with mathematical modeling to address industrial energy challenges. Education: Dipl.-Ing. from Technical University of Munich (2004), PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge (2008). Notable awards include the Danckwerts-Pergamon Prize (2009) and DAAD Scholarship (2005). He teaches courses such as Thermodynamics I and Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics. Research interests span CO₂ capture via chemical looping, catalytic hydrogenation, and granular flow dynamics. Recent work explores catalyst design for propane dehydrogenation, MXene-based ammonia synthesis, and MgO-based CO₂ sorbents. His lab employs advanced techniques like operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy to study catalyst behavior under reaction conditions. Key achievements include developing stable PtGa propane dehydrogenation catalysts and advancing understanding of Na₂CO₃-promoted CO₂ sorbents. His work on fluidized bed hydrodynamics via MRI contributes to reactor design optimization. Müller's interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental science and industrial application, addressing global energy sustainability challenges.

Meire Ellen Gorete Ribeiro DomingosView profile

Lecturer

• Biorefineries
• Fertilizers Complexes
• Hydrogen and Synthetic Fuels
• +5 more

Meire Ellen Gorete Ribeiro Domingos is a Lecturer and Postdoctoral Researcher at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Engineering (STI) and Industrial Process and Energy Systems Engineering (IPESE) department. She works on process modeling, techno-economic and environmental analyses, and optimization of energy conversion systems, particularly in biorefineries, hydrogen production, and industrial decarbonization. Education PhD in Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic School of the University of Sao Paulo (2022) BSc in Chemical Engineering, University of Brasilia (2017) Research Interests Exergy and energy integration of chemical/industrial processes Modeling and optimization of energy systems Decarbonization via renewable energy integration Techno-economic and environmental analysis of industrial processes High-temperature heat pumps and carbon capture Multi-time scale optimization for industrial-urban systems Publication Trends Focus on decarbonization pathways (2023-2025) Black liquor gasification for integrated chemical/fuel production (2019-2022) Renewable energy and solid oxide cells for industrial-urban symbiosis (2024-2025) Development of decision-support tools like ROSMose (2023-2024) Life cycle assessment and CO2 management strategies Thermal integration and process simulation for sustainability Laboratory & Teams Industrial Process and Energy Systems Engineering (IPESE), EPFL Valais Wallis SCI-STI-FM and SCI-STI-JVH research groups EPFL School of Engineering (STI)

• Environmental Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Water Science and Engineering
• +4 more

Professor Frederic Coulon holds the position of Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology at the Cranfield Water Science Institute, part of Cranfield University's School of Management. His work focuses on transdisciplinary environmental science, including soil and water chemistry, bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and risk assessment. He leads research on microbial interactions in engineered systems, biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, and emerging contaminants. His professional interests span soil and water chemistry, fate of chemicals in environmental systems, hazardous waste site remediation, and policy-influencing research. Key collaborators include BBSRC, NERC, Defra, and the European Commission. He has advised on contaminated land management and developed solutions for pragmatic risk-based remediation strategies. Research activities include microbial adaptations in cold environments, environmental monitoring technologies, and anaerobic digestion optimization. Over 200 peer-reviewed articles highlight his contributions to environmental engineering and science, with a focus on bioremediation, bioaerosol risk assessment, and sustainable waste management. Current projects address challenges in low-carbon remediation, landfill mining, and antimicrobial resistance in agricultural environments. He supervises multiple PhD students and collaborates internationally on initiatives like the UK-India vWa project and the REGENERATIS program for metallurgical site regeneration.