Jorge Rodriguez

Jorge Rodriguez is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Khalifa University, specializing in microbial environmental biotechnology processes. As Principal Investigator of the Environmental Bioprocess Modelling Lab, he collaborates with institutions like University of Queensland (AU), University of Santiago de Compostela (ES), INRA (FR), TU Delft (NL), and University of South Wales (UK), where he holds a Visiting Professor appointment.

• Education: PhD and MEng in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, BEng in Industrial Chemistry, all from University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
• Leadership Roles: President of the Association of Spanish Scientists and Researchers in the UAE (since 2023), Editor of Chemical Engineering Science and Water Science & Technology, Editorial Board Member of Water Research and PLoS Water

His research spans two decades and focuses on: modelling and development of microbial environmental biotechnology processes for wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, microbial fermentations, and bioelectrochemical systems. Recently, he has expanded into epidemiology modelling to analyze the impact of interventions, vaccination strategies, and international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, advising Abu Dhabi's health authorities.

Current research projects include:

• Biological treatment of ethanolamine-rich wastewater from nuclear power plants (2022-2023) with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC)
• System-wide modeling for Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) (2019-2022)
• Model-based support for decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic with Abu Dhabi Department of Health (2021-2023)

Scientific Awards:

• Elected co-Chair and Secretary of the International Water Association (IWA) Anaerobic Digestion specialist group (2019)

His team includes postdoctoral fellow Dr. Mauricio Patón and PhD students Shibin Rasheed Alamana and Basila Abdu. Collaborations extend to international institutions in Australia, Spain, France, Netherlands, and the UK.