Thamani Freedom Gondo is affiliated with the Lund University Centre for Analysis and Synthesis , focusing on Food Science and Bioactive Compounds . Their work emphasizes analytical techniques for plant-based and marine food resources, particularly using supercritical fluid extraction . Key affiliations: Lund University, FORMAS-funded projects Research themes: Bioactive compound analysis, polyphenol characterization, sustainable food processing Recent publications highlight advancements in phlorotannin analysis from brown seaweeds and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum applications in non-dairy fermentation. Their 2023 work on ternary solvent systems demonstrated high selectivity in seaweed extraction.
Charlotte Jacobsen is a Professor and Head of the Research Group for Bioactives – Analysis and Application at the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Her research focuses on lipid oxidation, antioxidants, and sustainable utilization of marine resources. She leads multiple interdisciplinary projects and supervises PhD students in food science and technology. Research Interests: Antioxidant chemistry in food systems Oxidative stability of omega-3 fatty acids Valorization of fish and seafood by-products Microalgae as sustainable sources of bioactives Functional foods and nutraceuticals Green extraction technologies Recent Research Trends: Her recent publications (2021–2025) reflect a strong focus on sustainable food systems, including the recovery of bioactive compounds from fish side-streams, stabilization of omega-3 lipids, development of anti-obesity peptides from seaweed, and cultivation of microalgae using industrial waste streams. The work spans food chemistry, marine biotechnology, and green processing, with applications in functional foods and nutrition. Scientific Awards: Danisco Award, 2003 Edwin Frankel Best Paper Award, 2010 and 2011 La Médaille Chevreul, 2010 Marcuse Lecturer grant, 1999 Advising and Grants: Professor Jacobsen actively supervises PhD students and leads multiple funded research projects, including 'Utilization of fish side-streams for production of novel food ingredients' and 'Sustainable Production of Microalgae Proteins'. She is involved in national and international collaborations, securing research funding for projects on omega-3 extraction, microalgae cultivation, and seafood quality. Labs and Teams: She leads the Research Group for Bioactives – Analysis and Application at DTU, which is part of the DTU Microbes Initiative. The group specializes in analytical methods for bioactive compounds, lipid oxidation analysis, and development of sustainable food ingredients.
Ashwani K. Gupta is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, holding the Minta Martin Professorship in Engineering. He serves as Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor at the Institute of Physical Science and Technology, and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. With over 45 years of experience in combustion engineering since graduating from Southampton University in 1970, Gupta has established himself as a leading authority in advanced combustion technologies. Dr. Gupta earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield in 1973, followed by a D.Sc. from the same institution in 1986 and another D.Sc. from Southampton University in 2013. His academic journey includes six years at MIT as a research staff member and three years at Sheffield University as an independent research worker before joining the University of Maryland in 1983. Gupta's research focuses on revolutionizing combustion technology through innovations in swirl flows, high-temperature air combustion (HiTAC), and distributed combustion systems. His pioneering work on 'colorless distributed combustion' has enabled ultra-low emission combustion processes with significant applications in gas turbine engines and waste-to-energy conversion. His research spans biofuels, CO2 utilization, sulfur chemistry, waste conversion, and advanced laser diagnostics, addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy and environmental protection. Analyzing his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on waste-to-energy conversion, biomass processing, and CO2-assisted technologies. Gupta's work demonstrates a clear trajectory toward sustainable energy solutions, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence for combustion optimization and emission control. His research bridges fundamental combustion science with practical engineering applications for cleaner energy systems. Among Gupta's numerous accolades are: Election to Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2023) Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society (2020) Recognition as one of the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University (2022-2024) Multiple prestigious medals from ASME and AIAA including the Soichiro Honda Medal (2018) and AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award (2014) Honorary doctorates from three international universities Gupta has secured substantial research funding throughout his career, resulting in over 850 technical papers, three books, 18 edited books, and 22 book chapters. He has delivered over 100 plenary/keynote/invited presentations at international conferences. His mentorship has shaped numerous graduate students who continue to contribute to the field of combustion engineering. Gupta directs the Combustion Laboratory at the University of Maryland, which serves as a hub for cutting-edge research in sustainable combustion technologies. The Combustion Laboratory, under Gupta's leadership, has become a center of excellence for advanced combustion research, particularly in distributed combustion systems, waste-to-energy conversion, and alternative fuels. The lab maintains strong collaborations with industry partners and international research institutions, facilitating technology transfer and practical implementation of research findings. Gupta's team employs state-of-the-art diagnostics and computational tools to advance fundamental understanding while developing practical engineering solutions for cleaner energy systems.
Susanna Thon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), affiliated with the Whiting School of Engineering. She serves as Associate Director of the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI) and a member of the Data Science and AI Institute. Her research focuses on nanomaterials engineering for optoelectronic devices, emphasizing solar energy conversion and sensing. Notable areas include plasmonic-photocatalytic systems using aluminum nanoparticles and nanostructured materials like colloidal quantum dots for next-generation devices. Thon holds a BSc from MIT (2005) and MSc/PhD in Physics from UC Santa Barbara (2008/2010). She joined JHU in 2013 after postdoctoral work at the University of Toronto. Her work is funded by agencies such as the NSF, U.S. Army, and Maryland Energy Innovation Institute. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and received JHU’s Catalyst and Discovery awards. Key research projects include developing plasmonic systems to enhance light absorption in titanium dioxide and creating scalable fabrication techniques for optoelectronic materials. Thon’s team also advances quantum dot solar cells and novel characterization methods for energy materials. She actively participates in professional societies, including the Optical Society of America and IEEE. Her grants and collaborations aim to train the next generation in sustainable energy research, with recent initiatives funded through NSF and Space@Hopkins seed grants. Thon’s lab integrates nanophotonics, materials science, and machine learning to address global energy challenges.
Adane Tilahun Getachew serves as an Associate Professor at the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), specializing in bioactive compounds analysis and application within food science. His research integrates green extraction technologies with sustainable food processing to valorize marine and agricultural byproducts. His primary research interests focus on antioxidant mechanisms , bioactive compound recovery , and advanced extraction methodologies including supercritical fluids and subcritical water processing. Key application areas include marine lipid extraction from invasive species like starfish and round goby, plant protein isolation from legumes and lupin seeds, and stabilization of omega-3 enriched food products. His work directly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through waste reduction and sustainable resource utilization. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on extraction optimization (particularly supercritical CO 2 and pressurized liquid methods), marine bioactives (seaweed, starfish, shrimp waste), and food product development (mayonnaise, packaging films, protein concentrates). Dominant themes include response surface methodology applications, seasonal variation impacts on bioactive yields, and techno-functional properties of extracted compounds. His collaborative projects demonstrate extensive interdisciplinary work across European research initiatives: SUSTAINABLE JET FUELS (2024-2027): Micro-algal cell factories for zero-waste aviation fuel GrExOmega (2022-2025): Green extraction of omega-3 from invasive marine species AlgaeVita (2025-2027): Biofortified algae ingredients rich in vitamin D3 and omega-3 SBbioact (2019-2022): Biorefinery of Nordic brown algae bioactives Dr. Getachew leads research on sustainable food systems with emphasis on waste valorization and green processing technologies, maintaining active collaborations with multiple European institutions through DTU's National Food Institute infrastructure.
Virginia Davis is the Dr. Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Auburn University's College of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Rice University, and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University. Research Focus: Self-assembly of nanomaterials, rheology, lyotropic liquid crystals, additive manufacturing, polymers, nanocomposites, and biosensors Key Projects: USDA-funded agricultural outreach, NSF grant for MXene dispersion studies, Alabama STEM Council member Her recent publications explore cellulose nanocrystals, MXene 3D printing, and sustainable polymer recycling. Davis has received multiple honors including the Breeden Professorship, AIChE Fellowship, and Auburn University Faculty Awards for research and mentorship. Research Trends: Dominated by bio-based nanomaterials (cellulose nanocrystals, MXenes), with applications in additive manufacturing, environmental remediation (PFAS adsorption), biosensors (carbofuran detection, cancer biomarkers), and agricultural delivery systems. Scientific Awards Auburn University Faculty Awards (2023, 2025) AIChE Fellow (2023) Dr. Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professorship Davis leads outreach initiatives like the Tomorrow’s Community Innovators camp and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on plastic recycling innovations. Her work emphasizes both fundamental material science and practical applications addressing environmental and agricultural challenges.
Dimitrios Tsaoulidis is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Surrey and an Honorary Lecturer at University College London . He holds a PhD in Chemical/Nuclear Engineering and a Diploma in Chemical Engineering. University roles: Academic Integrity Officer, Senior Personal Tutor, Disability & Neurodiversity Representative Research spans clean energy (nuclear, bio, solar), healthcare (bioprocess scalability), and manufacturing using process intensification and microfluidics . His work combines experimental investigation , CFD simulations , and scale-up optimization for multiphase reactors . Notable research trends include: 15+ publications (2012–2023) on uranium extraction , biodiesel production , and pharmaceutical microfluidics , with grants from UKRI and Innovate UK . Scientific Awards : David Newton’s Award for Sustainability (UCL) Springer Thesis Award Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Associate Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (AMIChemE) Research Collaborations : Academic : Prof Panagiota Angeli (UCL), Prof Eric Fraga (UCL), Dr Maryam Parhizkar (UCL) Industrial : UK Atomic Energy Authority, National Nuclear Laboratory, GSK, Greenergy Ltd, Armfield Dr Tsaoulidis supervises PhD students (e.g., Mustapha Hamdan, Anna Tsitouridou) and PDRA staff (e.g., Dr Jamshid Zarkesh) in projects related to solar energy systems , nuclear fuel cycles , and pharmaceutical automation .
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 .
Julie Zimmerman is the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Yale School of the Environment and a Professor in both the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of the Environment . She also holds an appointment in Epidemiology (Environmental Health Sciences) and serves as Deputy Director of the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale. Additionally, she is the Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Science & Technology , a premier journal in the environmental sciences. Ph.D., University of Michigan at Ann Arbor B.S., University of Virginia Her research is centered on green chemistry and green engineering , with a focus on designing sustainable products, processes, and systems. Key areas include developing water treatment technologies for inorganic contaminants using nanomaterials like chitosan-metal composites, advancing integrated biorefineries using supercritical fluid technologies, and promoting the design of safer chemicals and nanomaterials . Her work integrates life cycle assessment, policy analysis, and industrial ecology to address sustainability challenges. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend toward emerging environmental health issues , particularly the chemical composition and health implications of e-cigarettes and novel tobacco products . She also publishes on circular economy modeling, nanomaterial synthesis , and environmental policy . Her editorial leadership further amplifies her influence in shaping the direction of environmental science research. Elected Member, National Academy of Engineering, 2025 Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015 Elected Member, Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, 2015 Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize, ASCE, 2012 Multiple EPA Medals for Commendable Service University of Michigan Distinguished Dissertation Award, 2004 Dr. Zimmerman advises a large group of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers , many of whom have gone on to academic and leadership positions. Her lab is supported by major grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) , National Institutes of Health (NIH) , and other agencies, including the NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) and the Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science. Her lab, the Zimmerman Lab , fosters interdisciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, chemistry, and public policy.
Associate Professor Nikolas Fokialakis is affiliated with the Department of Pharmacy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, specifically within the Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products. His academic journey includes a PhD in Pharmacognosy, postdoctoral research at the USDA, and advanced degrees in Pharmacognosy and Pharmacy. His research focuses on natural products from plants, microorganisms, and marine organisms, with emphasis on anti-aging compounds, cosmeceuticals, and bioactive molecule discovery. Notable awards include the Arthur Neish Award (2010) and the ASP Award (2006). He holds editorial roles in international societies and has contributed to over 150 publications. His work integrates biotechnology for sustainable production of bioactive agents and explores microbial biodiversity for drug leads. Teaching responsibilities include courses in Pharmacognosy, Biotechnology, and Pharmaceutical Analysis. Education Highlights: PhD in Pharmacognosy (University of Athens, 2004) Postdoc at USDA Natural Products Lab Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacognosy (2000) Pharmacy Degree (University of Athens, 1998) Research Interests: Isolation of bioactive small molecules from terrestrial and marine sources Anti-aging mechanisms targeting proteostasis Cosmeceutical development using microbial metabolites Phytochemical analysis of Mediterranean plants Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes marine microbiota for anti-aging agents, pyrrolizidine alkaloid profiling, and sustainable bioengineering of microbes for industrial metabolites. Over 150 indexed articles demonstrate cross-disciplinary impact in natural products research. Awards: 2011-2019: Board Member, Society for Medicinal Plant Research ANR Research Committee (2015-2018) OECD Scholarship (2005-2006) Advising & Grants: Active in mentoring graduate students in natural products and biotechnology projects. Leads EU-funded initiatives on microbial diversity exploitation. Collaborates internationally on marine invertebrate chemistry and cosmeceutical development. Labs/Teams: Coordinates the Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry lab at University of Athens, focusing on metabolomics and bioactive compound discovery pipelines.
Daria Camilla Boffito is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal , holding the Tier-2 Canada Research Chair in Intensified Mechano-chemical Processes for Sustainable Biomass Conversion. Her research spans process intensification , catalysis , sonochemistry , photocatalysis , and metal extraction , with a focus on sustainability. Education: B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Milan, M.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry and Management Current Research: Developing ultrasound-assisted extraction , CO2 conversion , and floating photocatalysts for wastewater treatment Collaborations: Works with Canadian and international companies on sustainable chemical processes Scientific Awards include the Canada Research Chair Tier-2 (2016-2021), NSERC Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2016), and FRQNT PBEEE Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2016). Advising has seen 5 Ph.D. and 9 Master's students graduate. She leads the Engineering Process Intensification and Catalysis (EPIC) Laboratory and is a member of the Institut de génie biomédical .
Dr. Yasir Noori is a Lecturer in the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. His research focuses on 2D materials, electrochemical deposition, quantum information, and integrated photonics. He leads a team of PhD researchers and has contributed to a £1.5m EPSRC project as a Co-Investigator. Education: PhD in Integrated Photonics and Quantum Communications (2017, Lancaster University), BEng (Hons) in Electronic Engineering and Physics (2013, University of Dundee). Awards include the Dean’s Award for early career researchers and IOP Philip-Buckle Science Communication Award. Research Interests: Specializes in 2D material heterostructures, semiconductor fabrication, and quantum technologies. Active in EPSRC Peer Review College and serves as Academic Conduct Officer for his school. Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals like Nature Reviews Chemistry and ACS Applied Materials. Focused on electrodeposition techniques, nanofabrication, and optoelectronic device development. Awards: Multiple conference awards, including Best Poster recognitions at 2D TMDC and Optical Waveguide Theory conferences. Also holds the Three-Minutes Thesis Award from Lancaster University. Teaching: Instructs courses like Semiconductor Devices, Materials and Sensors (ELEC2230) and supervises MSc/BEng projects. Committed to fostering student research through collaborative projects. Labs & Teams: Directs a group including Shaokai Song, Hongwei Zhang, and Ismaeil Alnaab. Current opportunities available for PhD candidates interested in 2D materials and nanofabrication.
Pedro Carlos De Barros Fernandes is an Associate Professor at Universidade Lusófona , Deputy Director of the 1st cycle in Biotechnology, and an integrated researcher at the Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB-IST). He holds a PhD in Biotechnology (1999) and a Master in Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering (1994) from Universidade Técnica de Lisboa (IST), along with a Chemical Engineering degree from IST (1989). A member of the Order of Engineers (ID 24667), he co-founded Biotrend, a Portuguese bioprocess development company. Education PhD in Biotechnology (1999), Universidade Técnica de Lisboa MSc in Biotechnology (1994), Instituto Superior Técnico BSc in Chemical Engineering (1989), Instituto Superior Técnico Research Interests span biocatalysis, enzyme immobilization for food and pharmaceutical applications, marine biotechnology, microfluidic device development for biosensing, and steroid bioconversions using mycobacterial systems. His work integrates process engineering principles with sustainable bioprocessing techniques. Publication Trends show a focus on microreactor technology, enzyme stabilization in non-conventional media, marine-derived biocatalysts, and food waste valorization. Key themes include biocatalytic process intensification, aqueous two-phase systems for biomolecule purification, and sustainable carbon sources for biopolymer production. Scientific Awards UTL/Santander Totta Scientific Award in Biological Engineering (2011) Advising has included supervision of 5 doctoral theses and over 32 master’s theses. His expertise extends to peer-reviewing scientific articles and evaluating R&D projects. Labs & Teams are associated with iBB-IST (Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences) and BioRG (Universidade Lusófona), with contributions to the Ciência Viva program for science dissemination.
Catherine Mulligan is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering at Concordia University, where she also serves as Director of the Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems. She was previously the Concordia Research Chair in Geoenvironmental Sustainability (Tier I) until 2021, having held this prestigious research chair since 2002 (initially as Tier II). Dr. Mulligan earned her B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees in chemical engineering from McGill University, followed by a Ph.D. specializing in geoenvironmental engineering, also from McGill University. After 16 years working at McGill University and in industry (including positions at the Biotechnology Research Institute of the National Research Council and SNC Research Corp.), she joined Concordia University in 1999 as an Assistant Professor, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2002, and to full Professor in 2008. Her research spans multiple critical areas of environmental engineering with a focus on contamination remediation. She specializes in surfactant-enhanced washing and flushing of contaminated soils and sediments, treatment of metal-contaminated media, bioremediation techniques, and various wastewater treatment methods. Her work includes biosurfactant applications, in-situ sediment remediation, anaerobic treatment processes, membrane technologies for water treatment, and energy generation through pressure-reduced osmosis. She has developed sustainability indicators and focuses on practical applications of environmental engineering solutions. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a continued leadership in environmental engineering with particular emphasis on nanotechnology applications for oil spill cleanup in sensitive coastal regions, advanced membrane technologies for water treatment and energy generation, microbially induced calcite precipitation for mining waste remediation, sustainable resource recovery approaches from waste batteries, and innovative techniques for eutrophic lake restoration. Her research demonstrates a consistent focus on practical, sustainable solutions to environmental contamination problems across diverse settings. Dr. Mulligan's scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering, Engineering Institute of Canada, and the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering. She has received the RSC Miroslaw Romanowski Medal, the Geoenvironmental Award, the A.G. Stermac Award of the CGS, and the John B. Sterling Medal of the EIC. Her Concordia-specific honors include the Provost Circle of Distinction, Concordia Sustainability Champion, and the Petro Canada Young Innovator Award (awarded twice). With over 40 years of research experience across government, industrial, and academic environments, Dr. Mulligan has supervised to completion more than 75 graduate students in Civil Engineering (MASc and PhD programs). Her research has attracted significant funding, including a $1,643,700 NSERC CREATE grant for the Institute in Water, Energy and Sustainability, which represents the first Concordia project to receive funding through this program. She has authored more than 140 refereed papers, holds three patents, and has made substantial editorial contributions as Section Editor for the Journal of Environmental Engineering, Chief Editor for Waste (MDPI), and serves on multiple other editorial boards. As Director of the Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems, Dr. Mulligan leads an interdisciplinary team focused on training students in sustainable development practices and advancing research into innovative solutions for water, energy, and resource conservation challenges. The institute represents a significant hub for environmental research and education at Concordia University.
Professor Andrew Abbott specializes in green chemistry and sustainable material processing at the University of Leicester. His research develops novel solvent systems for metal recovery and battery recycling, holding 11 patents for ionic liquid applications. As partner in the Faraday Institution's ReLiB project, he pioneered battery delamination techniques scaled for UK manufacturing plants. Current work focuses on extraterrestrial mining solvents and critical metal recovery.
