Francisco M. Goycoolea

Professor Francisco M. Goycoolea holds the Chair in Biopolymers at the School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds (UK). He specializes in biopolymer-derived nanostructured biomaterials, focusing on their applications in sustainable foods, medical devices, and antimicrobial therapies. Previously, he worked at institutions in Mexico, Spain, and Germany before joining Leeds in 2016. His research bridges food science, nanotechnology, and biomedicine, emphasizing structure-property relationships of biopolymers and their interactions with biological systems.

Education: BSc in Chemistry-Pharmacy-Biology (Universidad La Salle/UNAM, Mexico), MSc in Food Science (University of Reading, UK), and PhD in Plant Polysaccharides (Cranfield University, UK). Professional memberships include the European Chitin Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, and American Chemical Society.

Research interests include designing biopolymer-based nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery, anti-quorum sensing therapies, and aptamer-based biosensors. His work addresses antimicrobial resistance and sustainable food systems through innovations like chitosan-based nanoparticles and microfluidics for 3D cell culture studies. He leads the Food Chemistry and Biochemistry Group and teaches modules such as 'Functional Foods' and 'Physicochemical Properties of Food.'

Current research projects involve microfiber pollution remediation via biopolymers, anti-caries nanoencapsulation, and valorization of crustacean waste for food supplements.