Daniel Pleissner

Prof. Dr. Daniel Pleissner is an Adjunct Professor at Leuphana University Lüneburg within the Faculty of Sustainability Science and serves as Head of Science at the Institute for Food and Environmental Research e.V. in Bad Belzig. His expertise spans sustainable chemistry, environmental engineering, and biotechnology with a focus on renewable resources and bioenergy systems. He holds a PhD in Biology from the University of Southern Denmark (2012) and a Dipl.-Ing. in Environmental Engineering (equivalent to M.Eng.) from the University of Technology Dresden (2009).

His research emphasizes sustainable biorefinery concepts, microalgae cultivation for bioenergy, wastewater treatment optimization, and bioremediation strategies. Notable projects include leading a Hong Kong-based study on microalgal biomass production from food waste and coordinating the 'Material and Energetic Use of Biomass' program in Potsdam. He has held international research positions in China, Poland, and Germany, demonstrating a commitment to interdisciplinary sustainability science.

Teaching activities include chemical-focused lectures and organizing the annual Sustainable Chemistry Summer School at Leuphana. He actively contributes to research groups such as Chemical Informatics, Degradation Studies, and Reactive Transport Modelling within the Institute of Sustainable Chemistry (INSC). His career spans over two decades, combining academic leadership with practical experience in wastewater management and civilian service.