Claudio Avignone Rossa

Professor Claudio Avignone Rossa is a leading academic in systems microbiology at the University of Surrey, where he has held the position of Professor since 1999. He previously served as Associate Professor of Biotechnology at the University of Quilmes (Argentina) and as a Research Fellow at the University of Amsterdam's Microbial Physiology Group. His expertise spans microbial biotechnology, metabolic modeling, and electrochemistry, with a focus on engineering microorganisms for industrial and environmental applications. He actively contributes to teaching, organizing modules like Biomedical Microbial Products (BMS3060) and lecturing in Microbial Communities and Interactions (BMS2044) and Introduction to the Microbial World (BMS1035).

His research addresses pressing environmental challenges, such as lithium recovery from spent batteries, bioremediation of persistent pollutants ('forever chemicals'), and developing antimicrobial drugs from food by-products. Notable achievements include pioneering work on microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), particularly in optimizing their performance for wastewater treatment and energy generation. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB), recognizing his contributions to biological sciences.

Avignone Rossa’s projects often integrate interdisciplinary approaches, combining microbiology with electrochemistry and materials science. Recent collaborations include a £1M initiative to harness food waste for drug development and a solar-driven photo-bioelectrochemical cell system that improves electricity generation. His work emphasizes sustainable development goals, such as clean water and responsible consumption of resources, reflecting a commitment to both scientific innovation and ecological stewardship.