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Glen FoxView profile

Professor

• Malting and Brewing Sciences
• Starch Structure
• Food Science
• +3 more

Glen Fox is the Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences at the University of California, Davis. He holds academic affiliations at Stellenbosch University (Extraordinary Professor), University of Queensland (Honorary Senior Fellow), and Nara Institute of Science and Technology (Visiting Professor). His research focuses on barley, malt, and brewing quality, particularly starch structure impacts, 'omics platforms, and sustainable brewing practices. Dr. Fox earned a Ph.D. from Southern Cross University and a D.Sc. from Stellenbosch University. He leads UC Davis's brewing programs and manages the Anheuser-Busch InBev Pilot Brewery and Sierra Nevada Brewing research lab. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Brewing and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, co-edited books on malting, and serves on journal editorial boards. His research trends emphasize sustainable brewing, starch-malt-beer linkages, and novel brewing ingredients like Kernza. Awards include multiple 'World's Top 2% Scientists' recognitions and a UC Davis Outstanding Service Award.

Pierre HuclView profile

Professor

• Plant Genetics
• Crop Improvement
• Plant Pathology
• +3 more

Pierre Hucl is a half-time Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture and Bioresources, affiliated with the Crop Development Centre. His research focuses on plant genetics, crop improvement, and food science, with an emphasis on wheat and canary seed. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from the University of Saskatchewan and a B.Sc. from the University of Guelph. His educational background includes: Ph.D., University of Saskatchewan M.Sc., University of Guelph B.Sc., University of Guelph Research interests center on wheat genetics, disease resistance (e.g., Fusarium head blight, wheat midge), starch/protein composition of cereals, and crop adaptation to environmental stresses. Recent work explores canary seed’s nutritional properties and biofortification potential. Key contributions include genomic analysis of Pseudoroegneria species and development of high-throughput genotyping methods. Publications span crop physiology, plant pathology, and food chemistry, with trends in improving crop resilience through genetics and optimizing cereal-based food products. His lab collaborates on projects involving wheat germplasm enhancement and sustainable agricultural practices. Currently, he does not supervise graduate students but remains active in collaborative research and grant-funded projects focusing on crop improvement and food science applications. Laboratory affiliations include the Crop Development Centre, where interdisciplinary teams address global challenges in food security and agricultural sustainability.

Fernando SandunView profile

Professor

• Biomolecular interactions
• Bioenergy engineering
• Biosensing technologies
• +4 more

Fernando Sandun is the Dow Professor in Bioprocess Engineering and Associate Department Head for Graduate Programs at Texas A&M University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. He holds a B.S. from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), and M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His research focuses on biomolecular interactions, with expertise in enzyme-substrate-ligand systems, protein-ligand interactions for antiviral/antimicrobial applications, catalysis for bioenergy, and surface functionalization. His lab develops tools like the ELIXIR-A platform for molecular dynamics simulations to predict ligand-receptor behaviors, applied to enzyme inhibition, synthetic enzymes, and fuel cell systems. Notable awards include the Thomson-Reuters Highly Cited Researcher (2014), multiple teaching accolades (2010–2015), and the Barbara and Ralph Cox Faculty Fellowship (2013–2014). His work spans antiviral aptamer design (SARS-CoV-2, Dengue), fungicide resistance solutions, and biofuel innovations using methane-oxidizing microbes. His lab’s contributions include the SPAM process for algae dewatering, iron-sulfur-based bioelectrodes, and enzyme immobilization techniques. Ongoing projects address bioremediation, plant pathogen control (Candidatus Liberibacter), and molecular-level engineering of biological systems.

David ValentineView profile

Professor

• Biogeochemistry
• Microbiology
• Oceanography
• +3 more

David Valentine is a Distinguished Professor of Geochemistry and Microbiology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), holding the Norris Presidential Endowed Chair in Earth Science. He is the founding director of the Marine Science program in the College of Creative Studies. His research focuses on microbial interactions with environmental chemicals, particularly in marine systems. He earned degrees from UC San Diego and UC Irvine, followed by an NSF postdoctoral fellowship at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. With over 150 publications and three books, his work bridges fundamental science and applied environmental policy, including congressional testimony and media engagement. His lab employs field and laboratory approaches to study biogeochemical processes, microbial ecology, and carbon sequestration strategies. Education: BS in Biochemistry/Chemistry and MS in Chemistry (UC San Diego); MS and PhD in Earth System Science (UC Irvine). Research interests include microbial degradation of hydrocarbons, methane biogeochemistry, and the application of microbial technology to environmental challenges. Current projects involve deep-sea waste disposal impacts, seaweed-based carbon removal, and ocean exploration. The Valentine Lab collaborates globally, using advanced tools like submersibles and isotopic analysis. Advising and grants: Supervises graduate and postdoctoral researchers (e.g., Kelsey Gosselin, Marianna Karagiannis). Engaged in funded projects on topics such as microbial response to oil spills and nitrogen cycling in anoxic basins. His work informs policy on environmental remediation and climate mitigation.

Aidyn MouradovView profile

Professor

• Industrial biotechnology
• Plant biology
• Biochemistry and cell biology
• +11 more

Professor Aidyn Mouradov is a faculty member at RMIT University's School of Science, specializing in Plant Biotechnology. He holds a Professor rank and has been at RMIT since 2011. His research focuses on systems biology of plants and algae, bioenergy, and environmental biotechnology. Notable projects include developing algae-based biofuels, reprogramming metabolic pathways for enhanced plant traits, and using aquatic plants for wastewater remediation. Mouradov has secured 45 international patents, with recent ones involving flavonoid metabolism and fructan biosynthesis modifications. His awards include RMIT's Innovation in Curriculum Teaching Award (2015) and Leonardo Da Vinci Invention Awards (2009, 2010). He teaches courses like The Research Methods and Biotechnology/Bioinformatics Research Projects. His work also involves supervising projects on aquatic plants and protists as sustainable resources. Education & Academic Roles: Professor at RMIT University (2011–present) Associate Professor at La Trobe University (2008–2011) Research Scientist at Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (1987–1989, 2001–2004) Research Interests: Systems biology of plants and algae, bioenergy production, environmental biotechnology, functional genomics, and medical applications of plants/algae for vaccine development. His work bridges biotechnology and ecology, emphasizing sustainable resource utilization. Awards & Media: RMIT Teaching Innovation Award (2015) Leonardo Da Vinci Awards (2009, 2010) Featured in The Age and SMH for algae-based biofuel research Grants & Labs: Active in securing research grants for bioenergy and biotechnology projects. Collaborates with industry partners like ForBio, Inc. and NovaFlora, Inc. Leads teams focused on microalgal biotechnology and wastewater-to-biofuel conversion. Future Work: Expanding research on edible vaccines using algae, scaling-up biofuel production systems, and exploring Thraustochytrid-derived nutraceuticals.

Afroditi ChatzifragkouView profile

Associate Professor

• Biotechnology
• Food Waste Management
• Microbial Conversions
• +3 more

Afroditi Chatzifragkou is an Associate Professor at the University of Reading, serving as the Department Director of Teaching and Learning. Her research focuses on leveraging agri-industrial by-products and waste streams within biorefinery frameworks to produce functional compounds for food and non-food applications. Key areas include microbial conversions of food-grade wastes into bio-based materials like microbial lipids, platform chemicals, and biopolymers. Dr. Chatzifragkou holds a PhD in Food Biotechnology, an MSc in Food Science and Technology, and a BSc in Food Science and Technology. Her work bridges biotechnology and sustainability, emphasizing waste valorization pathways. Recent studies explore anaerobic digestion optimization for whey permeate, prebiotic potential of spent coffee grounds, and bacterial cellulose properties in biopolymer development. She has contributed over 30 peer-reviewed publications, with notable research in Bioresource Technology , Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology , and Energy . Her leadership role in teaching underscores a commitment to both academic rigor and practical innovation in food science education. Future work includes scaling up microbial lipid production from low-cost substrates and integrating fermentation-derived biopolymers into commercial products. Collaborations with industry partners aim to translate laboratory findings into sustainable industrial solutions.

• Algal Biotechnology
• Environmental Bioremediation
• Microalgae Cultivation
• +3 more

Dr. Alla Silkina is a Research Officer at Swansea University's Sustainable Aquatic Research Center (CSAR), specializing in algal biotechnology and applied biotechnology. She contributes to high-impact projects such as Algal Biotechnology for Wales KTC, ACCOMPLISH A4B CIRP, and EnAlgae INTERREG, focusing on waste bio-remediation, microalgae cultivation, and bio-product development. Her work bridges academia and industry, supporting over 65 Welsh SMEs and international collaborators. Her research focuses on optimizing algal growth conditions, bioremediation strategies, and sustainable resource utilization. Key projects include converting industrial waste into valuable bioproducts and improving cyanobacterial mass cultivation using far-red light acclimation. Silkina's expertise spans microalgae physiology, pigment production, and reactor design for large-scale applications. Collaborations with industries like TATA Steel UK and Axium Process Ltd highlight her role in translating research into practical solutions. She has supervised postgraduate research, including studies on Synechococcus elongatus biomass productivity. Awards and grants include £6.5M from EU Interreg and Innovate UK funding for projects like BioAlgaeSorb and ShellPlant. Leveraging her work in anaerobic digestate utilization and microalgal strain optimization, Silkina drives circular economy initiatives. Her modules taught include Cellular & Microbial Biology (BIO104) and Natural Products Biotechnology (BIO343), emphasizing hands-on training in biotechnology applications.

Nicholas KhongView profile

Lecturer

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Nutraceuticals
• Cosmeceuticals
• +7 more

Dr. Nicholas Khong is a Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Technology at the School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry & Microbiology and a PhD in Medical Biotechnology from Universiti Putra Malaysia, where he received the Khazanah Watan Leadership Award (2010) and Kanazawa Research Fellowship (2011). His research focuses on converting nuisance organisms into biofunctional components for nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, with expertise in microbiological valorization, analytical methods, and pilot-scale production. He has consulted on product registration, halal certification, GMP, and ISO standards. Key research interests include experimental dermatology, immunobiology, probiotic microorganisms, and microalgae-based solutions. He leads projects like Deciphering psoriatic complexity (2024–2027) and Engkabang cosmeceutical development (2023–2026). His work aligns with UN SDGs related to sustainable industry and innovation. Awards : ASEAN-FEN Outstanding Young Scientist (2019), MSPP Young Teacher's Award (2022), WIPO Medal for Inventors (2018). Grants/Projects : 5 active projects (2022–2027), including microalgae lipid metabolism modeling and antibiotic synergism studies. Collaborations : International partnerships with institutions in China, Thailand, and Taiwan. Khong serves on editorial boards for Journal of Aging Research and Dermatology Research and Practice . He actively supervises PhD students and has over 36 peer-reviewed publications.

Pankaj SinghView profile

Researcher

• Microbial ecology
• Plant-microbe interactions
• Soil microbiome
• +7 more

Pankaj Singh is a microbial ecologist and computational biologist at the University of Western Australia , affiliated with the School of Agriculture and Environment . His work focuses on plant-microbe interactions, soil microbiome dynamics, and ecosystem sustainability through multi-omics approaches. He holds a PhD in Microbial Ecology from Western Sydney University (2019–2024). Doctor of Philosophy, Western Sydney University His research expertise spans bioinformatics , transcriptomics , and soil biology , with applications in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Recent publications highlight his work on drought resistance mechanisms (2025), biochar for soil health (2025), and microbial community dynamics in Australian ecosystems (2024, 2023). Dr. Singh received the School Citizen Award (2024) and has conducted over 15 workshops globally, including two UWA workshops on R programming (2024) and microbiome analysis (2024). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.

Justin SiegelView profile

Professor

• Protein Engineering
• Enzymology
• Computational Biology
• +3 more

Justin Siegel is a Professor at the University of California, Davis, affiliated with the Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility. His research focuses on computational and experimental protein engineering, particularly designing novel enzymes for therapeutic and industrial applications. He pioneered the de novo design of enzymes performing non-natural reactions like the Diels-Alder reaction and collaborated with Foldit gamers to enhance enzyme activity. Recent work includes gluten-degrading enzymes, CO2 fixation pathways, and biofuel production. He holds a PhD from the University of Washington (2011) and a BS from UC Davis (2005). Research Highlights: Developed Rosetta computational tools for macromolecular design Engineered anthrax therapeutics and gluten-digesting enzymes Pioneered noncanonical cofactor-based biocatalytic systems Investigates sustainable protein production and cultured meat economics Awards: Sloan Research Fellowship (2014), UC Davis Faculty Appointment (2012). His work spans 80+ publications and multiple patent families, with ongoing projects in metabolic engineering and drug discovery.

• Particulate Processing
• Metals Extraction Chemistry
• Physical Separation Technologies
• +3 more

Timothy C. Eisele is an Associate Professor and Chemical Engineering Endowed Faculty Fellow at Michigan Technological University (MTU), serving as Co-Director of Graduate Programs in Chemical Engineering. He earned all three of his degrees (BS, MS, and PhD) in Metallurgical Engineering from MTU. His research focuses on particulate processing, metals extraction, and sustainable raw material production, with emphasis on advancing physical separation techniques and bioleaching technologies to enhance resource recovery and reduce industrial waste. Education: PhD in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, MTU MS in Metallurgical Engineering, MTU BS in Metallurgical Engineering, MTU Research Highlights: Development of advanced separation techniques (e.g., column flotation, electromagnetic separation) for fine particulate materials Investigation of oxidative and reductive bioleaching for metals recovery using microorganisms Optimization of energy efficiency in comminution processes Utilization of industrial wastes (e.g., fly ash, slags) for sustainable material markets Grants & Projects: Recipient of U.S. DOE grant (FG26-03NT41938) for biohydrometallurgical iron extraction research and holder of U.S. Patent #7,632,330 for environmentally benign iron production methods.

• Vibrational Spectroscopy
• Infrared Spectroscopy
• Data Modelling
• +7 more

Achim Kohler is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). He leads the BioSpec research group under RealTek, focusing on vibrational spectroscopy of biological materials. His work integrates physics, data analysis, and measurement technology for high-throughput characterization of microorganisms and other biological systems. His research interests lie at the intersection of physics, spectroscopy, and data science . The BioSpec group pioneers in modeling scattering and absorption in infrared spectroscopy and develops advanced multivariate analysis methods for interpreting complex spectral data. Their work enables automated, label-free screening of biological samples with applications in microbiology, medicine, and environmental monitoring. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward automated, data-driven analysis of biological systems using vibrational spectroscopy . Key fields include infrared and Raman spectroscopy, multivariate calibration, machine learning for spectral classification, and non-destructive testing of cells and tissues. The research spans fundamental optical modeling to applied diagnostics and process monitoring. The BioSpec group has achieved global recognition as one of the leading teams in multivariate analysis of vibrational spectroscopic data. Professor Kohler has led multiple Norwegian and European research projects, contributing significantly to the advancement of spectroscopic techniques in life sciences. He supervises research within the BioSpec group, mentoring students and researchers in interdisciplinary projects that combine experimental spectroscopy with computational modeling. While specific grant names are not listed, his leadership of national and international projects indicates substantial external funding. The group actively develops new methodologies for real-time, high-throughput characterization of biological materials. The BioSpec group is a multidisciplinary team conducting cutting-edge research in vibrational spectroscopy. They focus on both theoretical modeling and practical applications, including automated screening platforms and advanced chemometric tools. More information can be found at: https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/realtek/research/groups/biospectroscopy .

Christina KuttlerView profile

Professor

• Biomathematics
• Deterministic Mathematical Models
• Bacterial Communication
• +3 more

Prof. Christina Kuttler holds the position of Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), within the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. Her research focuses on biomathematics, particularly deterministic mathematical models of bacterial communication and diffusion processes, aiming to understand intracellular regulatory mechanisms. She has been at TUM since 2008, following postdoctoral work at the University of Tübingen and the Helmholtz Center Munich. Her academic background includes a doctorate in mathematics (2000) from the University of Tübingen, with further studies in physics and computer science. Awards include the Erwin Schrödinger Prize (2007) and the Tübingen Doctoral Prize (2000). Research interests span mathematical modeling in biology, with publications on quorum sensing, bacterial biofilms, and cancer dynamics. Notable works include models of immunotherapy effects on lung cancer and stochastic approaches in biological systems. She teaches courses such as Mathematical Modelling and Mathematics for Engineers, and collaborates on projects like modeling cerebral hemorrhage in premature infants. Her work bridges applied mathematics, computational biology, and interdisciplinary research.

• Analytical Chemistry
• Green Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Analysis
• +6 more

Salvador Garrigues Mateo is a Professor at the University of Valencia in the Faculty of Chemistry and Department of Analytical Chemistry . He leads the research group SOLINQUIANA (Solutions & Innovation in Analytical Chemistry) , focusing on green analytical chemistry and innovative spectroscopic methods. Education: PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Valencia (1993) with a thesis on Quantitative analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry . Research Interests: Green Analytical Chemistry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), environmental and biomedical analysis, sample preparation techniques, and forensic chemistry. His recent publications highlight trends in environmental analysis (wastewater drug monitoring, bioaerosol assessment), forensic chemistry (illicit drug detection, synthetic cannabinoids), and green sample preparation (natural sorbents, microextraction techniques). He also contributes to food analysis (oil degradation, essential oil authentication) and biomedical applications (urinalysis for drug exposure, serum diagnostics). His work emphasizes green chemistry principles , focusing on reducing solvent consumption, developing non-invasive testing protocols, and applying chemometrics for improved analytical accuracy. He has published extensively on spectroscopic methods for both environmental and clinical applications, often combining FTIR with ion mobility spectrometry for enhanced detection capabilities. Contact: salvador.garrigues@uv.es

Silvia Greses HuertaView profile

Researcher

• Environmental Biotechnology
• Anaerobic Digestion
• Waste Valorization
• +7 more

Dr. Silvia Greses Huerta is a researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the School of Engineering, Universitat de València, where she contributes to the CALAGUA-UV Research Group on Environmental Technologies. Her work focuses on anaerobic fermentation processes for the valorization of organic waste into valuable biochemicals such as volatile and short-chain fatty acids. Her research interests lie at the intersection of environmental biotechnology, waste-to-resource conversion, and sustainable bioprocess engineering. She investigates microbial community dynamics, process stability, and optimization strategies in anaerobic systems, particularly for food waste, microalgae, and agroindustrial residues. Her work integrates experimental design with process modeling and sustainability assessment. Recent publications highlight a strong focus on process robustness, operational parameters (e.g., HRT, pH, temperature), and microbial responses in anaerobic fermentation. Her research spans lab-scale experimentation to techno-economic and environmental assessments, indicating a systems-level approach to biorefinery development. She obtained her PhD from the Universitat de València in 2018 with a thesis on the anaerobic degradation of microalgae from membrane reactor effluents, supervised by Dr. Aurora Seco Torrecillas and Dr. Daniel Aguado García. While no scientific awards are listed in the provided text, her sustained publication output in high-impact areas suggests active research funding and collaboration. She likely supervises students within the CALAGUA-UV group, though specific advisees are not named. The CALAGUA-UV research group, which she is part of, specializes in environmental technologies, particularly water reuse, anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR), and resource recovery from wastewater and organic residues, aligning closely with her research themes.