Fernando Cardenas-Lizana

Fernando Cardenas-Lizana is an Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University's School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, affiliated with the Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering. His expertise focuses on catalytic processes for sustainable chemical manufacturing, particularly selective hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis reactions, catalyst design, and kinetic modeling.

Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering (2009) from Heriot-Watt University, specializing in catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds. Prior to his current role, he served as a Research Scientist at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (2009–2013), focusing on sustainable heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation.

Research Interests: Development of novel catalytic materials (e.g., nitrides, carbides), structured supports (metal-fibrous/polymer-based), and reactor engineering concepts to enhance process efficiency and sustainability. Key areas include:

• Hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds
• Catalytic growth of carbon nanofibers
• Kinetic modeling of catalytic systems
• Waste valorization via bio-oil deoxygenation

Publications (selected highlights): Over 78 peer-reviewed articles since 2008, with recent work addressing catalyst design for deoxygenation of microalgae bio-oil, Ni sulfide nanoparticles for aniline production, and gas-phase condensation mechanisms. His research frequently explores sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical processes.

Grants/Advising: No specific grants or advisee names listed in the text, though his work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and responsible consumption.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering, collaborating internationally on catalytic materials and sustainable processes.