Brenda Parker

Brenda Parker serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemical Engineering within University College London's Faculty of Engineering Sciences. She co-founded the Bio-Integrated Design Lab (Bio-ID) with Professor Marcos Cruz from the Bartlett School of Architecture, establishing an internationally recognized research platform exhibited at Centre Pompidou, London Design Festival, and Venice Biennale. Her academic journey began with an MEng in Biochemical Engineering from UCL, including specialization in microbial ecology at Caltech, followed by PhD research on non-natural amino acid synthesis via BBSRC CASE studentship with Dowpharma.

Her research focuses on sustainable bioprocess design and bio-integrated architecture, addressing industrial biotechnology scalability through algal biotechnology, bioremediation systems, and circular biomaterials. The Bio-ID Lab's work spans microbiome-inspired green infrastructure, robotic fabrication of biohybrid materials, and sustainable sound absorption solutions – exemplified by the INDUS algal bioremediation project winning the Water Futures Design Challenge and Beazley Designs of the Year shortlist. Current teaching includes leadership of UCL's second-year Design and Professional Skills course and directorship of the radical interdisciplinary MSc in Bio-Integrated Design.

• Key Awards:
• Churchill Travelling Fellowship (2014)
• Public Engagement Award from Society for General Microbiology (2011)
• Royal Academy of Engineering Leadership Award

Professor Parker actively mentors through her MSc program while leading research collaborations with Shell (Algal Biotechnology Consortium), Cambridge Water, and EU-funded projects including Energetic Algae and Innovation in Crops. Her Bio-ID Lab maintains strong industry partnerships through Phytofutures Ltd commercialization efforts. The lab's multidisciplinary approach integrates biochemical engineering with architectural design, creating novel platforms for urban ecosystem health and sustainable material innovation through living systems.