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John OakeyView profile

Professor

• Microfluidics
• Microscale transport phenomena
• Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• +4 more

John Oakey is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wyoming, with additional affiliations to the INBRE Program, Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program, and Materials Science and Engineering Program. Education Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School (2007–2010) Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (2003) M.S. Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (1999) B.S. Chemical Engineering, Penn State University (1997) Research Interests Oakey’s laboratory integrates fluid dynamics, colloidal science and materials science to understand how biological systems behave under flow, on surfaces and within complex 3-D geometries. A unifying theme is the use of microfabrication and microfluidics to create new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic platforms. Current thrusts include: Heterogeneous biomaterials: self-assembled particulate tissue scaffolds whose mechanical and transport properties can be temporally programmed. Inertial microfluidics: exploiting lift forces for membrane-free particle sorting, enrichment and diagnostics. Multi-temporal analysis by flow cytometry: development of closed-loop, high-throughput microfluidic cytometers for longitudinal single-cell studies. Publication Trends From 2025 back to 2010, Oakey’s articles reveal a consistent trajectory that marries fundamental physics (microtubule mechanics, inertial focusing) with translational applications (cell encapsulation, tissue scaffolds, drug delivery). Recent work (2023-2025) increasingly targets injectable granular hydrogels, single-cell therapeutic delivery and sustainable carbon-sequestering living materials, demonstrating an evolution from microscale transport phenomena to macroscopic biomedical and environmental impact. Scientific Awards No named awards are listed in the supplied text. Advising & Coordination Roles As Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Professor Oakey oversees graduate program development and student mentoring. While no individual students are named, his role implies active supervision of M.S. and Ph.D. advisees in chemical and biomedical engineering. Laboratory & Teams The Oakey Research Group operates from the Energy and Environmental Research Building (EERB 435A) at the University of Wyoming. The lab enjoys R1-level research infrastructure and collaborates broadly with the Wyoming INBRE network, the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program, and the Materials Science and Engineering Program.

Jeremy GuestView profile

Professor

• Circular Bioeconomy
• Wastewater Treatment
• Resource Recovery
• +5 more

Dr. Jeremy Guest is the Levenick Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering (and courtesy appointment in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He serves as Associate Director for Research at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and leads the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). His research focuses on advancing circular bioeconomies through sustainable sanitation systems, resource recovery from wastewater, and biofuel/bioproduct development from lignocellulosic biomass. Guest's work emphasizes Quantitative Sustainable Design (QSD) methodologies to bridge engineering innovation with policy and investment decisions. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering (University of Michigan, 2012); MS (Virginia Tech, 2007); BS (Bucknell University, 2005). Research interests include wastewater treatment innovation, nutrient recovery, bioenergy systems design, and sustainable agriculture practices. Key contributions include the EcoRecover phosphorus recovery process, the QSDsan modeling platform, and leadership in CABBI's $262.5M DOE-funded initiative. Guest has secured funding from NSF, US EPA, USDA, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Recognitions include the NSF CAREER Award, 2021 James J. Morgan Early Career Award, and the Paul L. Busch Award. He advises over 15 graduate students and leads multiple high-impact projects like the NEWgenerator sanitation system and oilcane biorefinery integration. Lab/Group: Guest Research Group focuses on experimental, computational, and policy-oriented research to solve global sustainability challenges. Current projects address algae-based wastewater treatment, fecal sludge management in low-income regions, and precision fermentation systems development.

• alternative proteins
• food biotechnology
• plant-based hybrid foods
• +5 more

Mehdi Abdollahi is an Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology's Department of Food and Nutrition Science. His research focuses on alternative proteins, food biotechnology, and plant-based hybrid foods, with emphasis on sustainable utilization of food side streams, legumes, cereals, and microalgae as future protein sources. Develops pH-shift technology and ultrasound-assisted methods for protein extraction Specializes in hybrid food engineering via fermentation and biorefinery Works on 3D food printing and high-moisture extrusion for food analogs Researches collagen and biobased food packaging materials His work includes >100 peer-reviewed publications, 4 book chapters, and 3 patents. Current projects involve collaborations with Arla Foods, Lantmännen, and Nordic Seafarm, addressing sustainable seafood systems and plant-protein hybridization. 2024 Bertebos Prize recipient 2025: Recognized among Sweden's Top 101 Sustainability Figures Mentors 7 PhD students and 3 postdocs while collaborating with European institutions like Kristianstad University and Ankara University. His group explores biorefinery strategies, hybrid food functionality, and innovative packaging solutions.

Gisela DetrellView profile

Professor

• Aerospace Engineering
• Space Life Support Systems
• Virtual Reality Applications in Space Training
• +3 more

Prof. Gisela Detrell is a Professor of Human Spaceflight Technology at the TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich. She specializes in developing technologies for astronautical spaceflight, including life support systems (e.g., microalgae photobioreactors), mission simulations (e.g., Mars/Moon concepts), and virtual reality tools for astronaut training. Her work bridges engineering, biotechnology, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Education: Bachelor/Master in Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) PhD from the University of Stuttgart and UPC (2015), focusing on reliability analysis of life support systems for long-duration space missions Research Interests: Prof. Detrell’s research emphasizes sustainable life support systems for extraterrestrial habitats, VR-driven astronaut training, and interdisciplinary design approaches for space stations. Her photobioreactor studies explore algae-based solutions for oxygen and food production on lunar/mars bases, while simulations address mission realism and team performance under extreme conditions. Articles Overview: Her publications span VR docking simulators, ISS-based photobioreactor experiments, and biofiltration systems for closed-loop life support. These reflect a focus on practical, scalable technologies for long-term space habitation. Awards/Grants: No specific honors or grants listed in the text. Her academic contributions are highlighted through her professorship and research group leadership. Labs/Teams: She previously led the research group at the Institute of Space Systems in Stuttgart and currently heads the Human Spaceflight Technology group at TUM.

Berat Z. HaznedaroğluView profile

Assistant Professor

• Environmental Microbiology
• Environmental Biotechnology
• Systems Biology
• +7 more

Berat Z. Haznedaroğlu is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, Bogazici University, Istanbul, where he has been serving since 2014. He previously held an Assistant Professor position at the Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, New York (2012–2014), and completed postdoctoral training at Yale University. His research is highly interdisciplinary, bridging environmental engineering, microbiology, and biotechnology. Education: Postdoctoral, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, USA (2012) PhD, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California-Riverside, USA (2010) MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University, USA (2005) BS, Biology, Middle East Technical University, Turkey (2003) His research interests include Environmental Microbiology , Microalgae Functional Genomics , Systems Biology , and the Fate and Transport of Pathogens . He is particularly known for his work on microalgae-based solutions for wastewater treatment, biofuel production, and space life support systems. His lab explores the integration of algae-bacteria consortia for sustainable biorefineries and environmental remediation. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward applied environmental biotechnology, with emphasis on microalgae applications in wastewater treatment, high-value product recovery (e.g., phycocyanin), and thermal processing effects on algal nutritional quality. The work spans from fundamental metabolic pathway analysis to real-world implementation in biorefineries and space missions. Scientific Awards and Grants: INDEPENDENT Project (€6.9M, 2019–2024) – Integrated Biorefinery for Bioeconomy MICRO-JET Project ($448K, 2020–2023) – Algae-Based Bio-Jet Fuel VirALGin Project ($185K, 2022–2024) – Algae-Derived SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors UzMAn Project ($65K, 2023–2024) – Microalgal Life Support for Space Renew-IST Project ($521K, 2022–2023) – Renewable Energy Center in Istanbul Dr. Haznedaroglu leads a dynamic research group with multiple funded projects and collaborative networks across institutions in Turkey and the U.S. He advises graduate students and has co-authored several book chapters and journal articles with junior researchers. His work is supported by major national and international funding bodies including TUBITAK, TUBITAK-Uzay, and the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Future research directions include closed-loop life support systems for space habitats and commercial-scale algal biorefineries. Laboratories and Research Platforms: His team operates within the CBE Institute at Bogazici University, utilizing facilities for microbial culturing, genomics, and environmental analysis. The INDEPENDENT and UzMAn projects involve advanced bioreactor systems and space-simulated environments.

• Algae Biotechnology
• Marine Biology
• Seagrass Ecology
• +9 more

Distinguished Professor Peter Ralph is a faculty member at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), holding the position of Professor of Marine Biology within the Faculty of Science and serving as the Executive Director of the Climate Change Cluster (C3). He is also the founder of the NSW Deep Green Biotech Hub and an influential member of global initiatives such as UNESCO’s Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group and the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Global Change Research Centre. Leadership Roles: Director of the Climate Change Cluster, Deputy-Chair of Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences. Research Collaborations: Partnerships with CSIRO, industry, NGOs, and international institutions. Key Contributions: Over 280 publications and $15M+ in research funding. His research focuses on algae-based solutions to climate change and sustainability, including carbon capture, bioplastic production, waste-water remediation, and circular bio-economy models. He explores advanced manufacturing through Industry 4.0 integration and zero-waste bio-refinery approaches, while also advancing algal phenomics using automated high-throughput screening systems. Recent articles highlight innovations in AI-driven biorefinery optimization, microalgal bioprospecting, and mutagenesis techniques for rare earth element extraction. His work bridges environmental science with engineering, addressing challenges in algae cultivation scalability and commercialization. Scientific Awards: 2012 and 2018 UTS Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards. Peter has secured major grants, including the Fermentalg PhD Project on Microalgae Screening, PNG Natural Seafood’s Macroalgae Product Development, and the Winifred Trust Foundation’s Aquaculture initiative. His research teams collaborate across disciplines to transform algae into sustainable resources for food, energy, and biomanufacturing. He leads UTS’s Climate Change Cluster (C3), a hub for interdisciplinary climate research, and actively promotes algae-building technologies and carbon storage innovations through biomasonry products.

Ian BradleyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Environmental Engineering
• Water Treatment
• Wastewater Management
• +3 more

Ian Bradley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. His research focuses on creating sustainable biological processes to address needs in engineered and natural systems for water and wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2017) MS in Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2011) MS in Civil Engineering (Structures), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2010) Research Interests: Dr. Bradley specializes in microalgal-based nutrient recovery, wastewater surveillance for public health monitoring, PFAS degradation using nanomaterials, and sustainable resource recovery systems. His work integrates biological processes with environmental engineering to optimize wastewater treatment efficiency and develop predictive models for water quality and health outcomes. Publications: His recent research includes advancements in microalgal cultivation (EcoRecover process), wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 tracking, and computational enzyme design for PFAS remediation. These studies demonstrate interdisciplinary expertise spanning environmental engineering, biotechnology, and public health analytics.

Silvia VignoliniView profile

Professor

• Biomaterials
• Sustainable Materials
• Biophysics
• +6 more

Prof. Silvia Vignolini is a leading researcher in sustainable and bio-inspired materials. Since January 2023, she has served as Director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , where she leads the department of Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials . Her academic career includes a Lecturer in Physics at University College London (2013-2017) and a Professor of Biomaterials and Sustainability at the University of Cambridge (2020-2022). Education: University of Florence (Physics, PhD) Postdoctoral Research: University of Florence , University of Cambridge Her research bridges chemistry , soft matter physics , optics , and biology , focusing on the self-assembly of natural materials into functional architectures. She pioneered work on cellulose-based photonic materials with applications in displays, pigments, and radiative cooling. The selected articles highlight her work on cellulose nanocrystals , structural coloration , and sustainable fabrication techniques . Key trends include mechanochromic hydroxypropyl cellulose systems, bio-inspired light management, and applications in microalgae growth and bacterial symbiosis. Scientific Awards : Philip Leverhululme Prize (2019) ACS Lectureship in Sustainable Chemistry (2018) Ipazia Prize for Women in Science (2012) PhD Thesis Award (University of Florence, 2009) At the Max Planck Institute, her interdisciplinary research group explores bio-inspired design principles for sustainable materials, combining experimental and computational approaches to create functional materials from natural resources.

Ralph JimenezView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Quantum Science
• Spectroscopy
• Photophysics
• +3 more

Ralph Jimenez is an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry and Institute Fellow at JILA, University of Colorado Boulder. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1996) and completed postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Diego (1997-1998), followed by research at The Scripps Research Institute (1998-2003). His research focuses on quantum spectroscopy and photophysics of fluorescent proteins, leveraging quantum optics to enhance spectroscopic sensitivity and developing genetically encoded biomarkers with improved photophysical properties. Key achievements include fluorescence-lifetime-based methods to engineer brighter fluorescent proteins and machine-learning approaches to improve photostability. His awards include the Arthur S. Flemming Award (2017) and U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal (2017). His group's work integrates quantum engineering with biophysical studies, targeting real-world applications in molecular imaging and materials science. The Jimenez Group operates labs at JILA (B117, B119, B121) and collaborates on projects involving entangled photons, two-photon absorption, and ultrafast spectroscopy. Research themes include quantum-enhanced spectroscopy for complex systems and overcoming limitations in fluorescent protein imaging through physical chemistry strategies. His lab develops novel instrumentation, including microfluidic sorting systems and tabletop X-ray spectroscopy platforms, to advance biomarker engineering and environmental monitoring.

Zackary JohnsonView profile

Associate Professor

• Marine Microbial Ecology
• Biological Oceanography
• Algal Biotechnology
• +4 more

Zackary Johnson , the Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professor of Biological Oceanography and Marine Biotechnology at Duke University, leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of marine microbiology and biogeochemical innovation. Affiliated with the Nicholas School of the Environment and based at the Duke Marine Laboratory , his work spans microbial ecology, algal biotechnology, and climate mitigation strategies. Education: Ph.D. in Marine Science (Duke University, 2004), B.S. in Biology (MIT, 1994) Research Interests focus on marine microbial communities, particularly the model phytoplankton Prochlorococcus , algal cultivation for sustainable bioproducts, and the ecological impacts of ocean acidification. His lab investigates microbial interactions across diverse environments—from coastal estuaries to open-ocean gyres—and develops technologies for carbon-negative aquaculture systems. Publications highlight expertise in microbial biogeography, algal biofuels, and climate-resilient marine food webs. Recent work explores drone-based ocean color sensing, Gulf Stream eddy microbiomes, and the role of Labyrinthulomycetes protists in carbon export. Scientific Awards: Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professorship DOE and NSF-funded projects Grants include high-profile initiatives like the Marine Algae Industrialization Consortium (MAGIC) and REU Site program for coastal research training. His lab maintains a dedicated research site for studying microbial dynamics and sustainable algal cultivation.

• Environmental engineering
• Wastewater treatment
• Greenhouse gas mitigation
• +5 more

Professor Bing-Jie (Bruce) Ni is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a full Professor at UNSW Sydney. He is an internationally recognised leader in environmental engineering, wastewater treatment, greenhouse-gas mitigation, microplastics fate, electrocatalysis and sustainable energy systems. Education PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei (2005–2009) Research Interests Professor Ni’s research integrates process engineering, microbial biotechnology, materials science and mathematical modelling to develop sustainable technologies for high-efficiency pollutant removal, minimal carbon footprint and maximal energy recovery from wastewater. He is a global pioneer in: Modelling and control of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions from wastewater systems, Micro- and nano-plastics ecotoxicity and mitigation in anaerobic digestion, Transforming sewage sludge into high-value liquid bio-energy (medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain alcohols), Designing cost-effective electrocatalysts from natural minerals for green hydrogen production and wastewater electrolysis. Research Output & Impact Over the last decade he has published 2 research books, 30 book chapters and >400 refereed journal papers , including 35 in Environmental Science & Technology and 85 in Water Research . His work has influenced global policy: the IPCC adopted his nitrous-oxide-emission model in 2019 to revise national greenhouse-gas inventories for the first time in 13 years. Awards & Recognition ARC Future Fellowship & ARC DECRA Fellowship Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science) Royal Society of Chemistry Highly Cited Researcher (2020–present) Mendeley Data Top 2 % Cited Researchers worldwide Listed among “Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers” (Engineers Australia, 2018) 50+ additional awards including Scopus Young Researcher Award, South Australian Water Awards, UQ Research Excellence Awards, and Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Awards. Research Funding & Leadership He has secured ≈ AUD $10 million in competitive funding (six major ARC grants plus >20 government, university and industry projects). He serves as: Lead Guest Editor, Water Research Editorial Advisory Board, Environmental Science & Technology Associate Editor for Journal of Cleaner Production , Environmental Chemistry Letters , Environmental Research , Journal of Environmental Management Editorial Board member for five additional high-impact journals. Teaching & Supervision At UTS he teaches Renewable Energy Technologies , Environmental and Sanitation Engineering , Process Dynamics and Control , and Water and Wastewater Treatment . He is available to supervise Masters and PhD students in environmental biotechnology, process modelling and sustainable energy systems. Laboratory & Commercial Translation He heads active research teams at both UNSW and UTS and is the inventor of >10 granted patents , some of which are currently being commercialised to deliver real-world impacts in greenhouse-gas-neutral wastewater treatment and renewable energy production.

Joseph DumplerView profile

Lecturer

• Food Engineering
• Dairy Science and Technology
• Sustainable Food Processing
• +4 more

Dr. Joseph Dumpler is a Lecturer at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zürich, specializing in Sustainable Food Processing. He holds a PhD in Dairy Science and Technology from the Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan, with a focus on UHT treatment of concentrated milk. His work emphasizes advancing food processing technologies, particularly in protein refinement, non-thermal methods, and membrane filtration. Educations: PhD in Dairy Science and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan (2017) MSc Food Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan His research interests include Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) for plant protein extraction, microwave vacuum drying of dairy products, and membrane filtration optimization for microalgae and dairy systems. He has pioneered methods to refine rapeseed and pea proteins while minimizing antinutrients, and his work on microfiltration of milk products addresses emerging microbial risks. Key contributions span kinetic modeling of heat-induced protein aggregation, sustainable food processing , and non-thermal concentration techniques . His articles reflect a focus on bridging lab-scale innovations with industrial applications. Awards: J.T.M. Wouters Young Scientist Award Julius Maggi Research Award (2018) Best PhD Thesis Award from the Association of Dairy, Food and Biotechnologists (Weihenstephan) Dr. Dumpler collaborates with industry partners to translate research into scalable processes, such as NADES-based protein extraction and microwave drying systems. His current role at ETH Zürich’s Sustainable Food Processing Lab (Prof. Mathys) focuses on plant-based meat analogs and novel protein refining concepts .

Jeffrey GuastoView profile

Associate Professor

• Biophysics
• Soft Matter Physics
• Microscale Fluid Mechanics
• +5 more

Jeffrey Guasto , Associate Professor at Tufts University, holds joint appointments in the School of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) and School of Arts and Sciences (Physics & Astronomy). His work bridges engineering, physics, and biology to study transport properties in complex systems. Ph.D., Engineering (2009), Brown University Sc.M., Engineering (2004), Brown University Dual B.S. in Physics and Mechanical Engineering (2003), Lehigh University Research Interests focus on: Biophysics : Flagellar mechanics, chemotaxis, cell-fluid interactions Soft Matter : Active suspensions, colloids, viscoelastic materials Microfluidics : Device design for cell motility studies and gradient generation Environmental Transport : Microbial ecology in porous systems Scientific Trends from his 77+ publications show emphasis on microscale fluid dynamics, bacterial transport mechanisms, and viscoelastic flow instabilities. His 2024 Nature Microbiology work reveals phage-infected bacteria driving marine chemotaxis, while 2023 PNAS research explores stress topology in viscoelastic flows. Scientific Awards : NSF CAREER Award (2016) for cell dispersal mechanisms Collaborative NSF grants (2015-2023) Advising includes mentoring 15+ students and postdocs. His grants portfolio features 9+ awards, notably NSF grants for viral-microbe interactions (2018) and flagellar mechanics (2020). Labs & Teams : Leads the Guasto Laboratory at Tufts, integrating microfluidics and high-speed imaging for studying microbial transport, while collaborating with MIT, Harvard, and international institutions.

• Marine Food Science
• Marine Chemistry
• Blue Biorefining
• +7 more

Professor Ingrid Undeland leads the Marine research group at the Division of Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Life Sciences at Chalmers University of Technology. She is a distinguished researcher with expertise spanning marine food science, lipid chemistry, and blue biorefining, having established herself as a leading figure in sustainable seafood research and marine biotechnology. Her educational background includes food science studies from Linnaeus University and a PhD in bioscience from Chalmers University of Technology and SIK (now RISE). Between 1999-2002, she was a post-doctoral fellow at University of Massachusetts Marine Station, which significantly shaped her research trajectory in marine food science. Professor Undeland's research focuses on pioneering next-generation seafood through innovative value chains from seaweed, small pelagic fish, fish side streams, mussels, and microalgae. Her specialized expertise lies in marine lipids and proteins, particularly their stabilization, isolation from complex sources, and nutritional properties including digestibility. She has extensive experience with antioxidant strategies using plant-derived side streams or extracts and fundamental studies of fish hemoglobins as pro-oxidants. Her work also encompasses innovative technologies for biomass fractionation and nutrient recycling to build blue biorefineries, along with in vitro digestion models and general seafood analytics. Beyond marine research, she explores filamentous fungi as sustainable alternative food protein sources. The trends in her recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on valorizing marine resources through advanced processing techniques. Her work increasingly focuses on sustainable extraction methods for seaweed proteins, particularly Ulva fenestrata, and developing antioxidant strategies using berry side streams to stabilize fish proteins. There's a growing interest in understanding the nutritional properties and digestibility of alternative marine proteins, along with environmental assessments of processing technologies. Her research consistently bridges fundamental science with practical applications for creating sustainable seafood value chains. Swedish representative in Nordic Lipidforum, WEFTA, and EuCheMS Editorial board member of Journal of the Aquatic Food Product Technology Member of the National Committee for Nutrition and Food Science at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Co-founder of the startup company AquaFood H-index of 47 according to Google Scholar Professor Undeland has an extensive record of academic mentorship, having supervised or currently supervising 23 PhD students, 14 postdoctoral researchers, and examining over 25 MSc students. Her research is supported by numerous grants, including the WaSeaBi Project which focuses on valorizing seafood side-streams through holistic value chain design. She collaborates with various industry partners and academic institutions across Europe. Her laboratory includes technicians Dr. Karin Larsson and Dr. Rikard Fristedt, and she leads a dynamic research team working on multiple projects related to marine biorefining and sustainable seafood development. Her research group operates within well-equipped facilities at Chalmers University, with specialized laboratories for marine food analysis, protein extraction, lipid oxidation studies, and in vitro digestion modeling. The team also maintains cultivation systems for seaweed and filamentous fungi, enabling integrated research from raw material production to final product development.

Lea R. WinterView profile

Assistant Professor

• Electrified Processes
• Sustainable Chemical Engineering
• CO2 Conversion
• +12 more

Lea R. Winter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Yale University's School of Engineering & Applied Science. Her research focuses on electrified processes at the nexus of food, energy, water, and climate, with emphasis on sustainable CO 2 conversion, green nitrogen fixation, wastewater valorization, and plasma-electrochemical systems. She leads an active research group and mentors multiple PhD students, postdocs, and undergraduates. Ph.D., Columbia University B.S., Yale University Dr. Winter's research interests lie at the intersection of sustainability and chemical engineering. She pioneers electrified membrane technologies, plasma-activated reactions, and catalytic processes for converting waste streams (CO 2 , nitrates, wastewater) into valuable fuels, chemicals, and fertilizers. Her work integrates electrochemistry, plasma chemistry, and heterogeneous catalysis to develop distributed, circular solutions for environmental challenges. Key themes include green ammonia production , on-demand fertilizer synthesis , and electrified water treatment with resource recovery. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on electrified membranes for nitrate and CO 2 conversion, plasma-activated co-processing of N 2 and C 1 gases, and single-atom catalysis for environmental applications. Her research spans fundamental reaction mechanisms to scalable engineering solutions, often published in high-impact journals such as Nature Water , PNAS , and Joule . The work demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward enabling a distributed hydrogen and nitrogen economy through sustainable electrochemical and plasma-driven technologies. Scientific Awards: Beckman Young Investigator Award (2024) Department of Energy Early Career Award (2024) Caltech Young Investigators Lecture Series Award (2022) NEWT Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2015) North American Catalysis Society Kokes Award (2019) Dr. Winter actively mentors students and has advised several who have gone on to PhD programs and faculty positions. Her lab receives significant research funding, as evidenced by her early-career awards from DOE and NSF. She leads projects on mining nontraditional water sources for hydrogen, plasma-based fertilizer synthesis, and electrified membrane systems. The Winter Lab fosters a collaborative, creative, and safe research environment centered on the principles of CRISP: Creativity, Respect, Investment, Safety, and Partnership. She also contributes to scientific discourse through invited viewpoints on climate education and critiques of emerging technologies like seawater electrolysis. Her lab collaborates widely, including with researchers at Columbia, Caltech, and international institutions.