Kasper de Leeuw

Kasper de Leeuw is a Lecturer at the Department of Biological Recovery & Re-use Technology at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on microbial conversion processes, particularly in the areas of carboxylic acid production, bioplastic recycling, and anaerobic fermentation. He specializes in developing sustainable chemical production methods through mixed-culture microbiomes and open-culture bioreactor systems.

Key research interests include chain elongation reactions for medium-chain carboxylates, CO₂ utilization in microbiomes, and electrochemical desorption of valuable chemicals from bio-based feedstocks. His work integrates environmental engineering principles with biochemical pathways to advance circular economy solutions for organic waste valorization.

Recent publications highlight breakthroughs in iso-caproate formation, methanol-based elongation systems, and ethanol-driven microbiome control. He has contributed to datasets on microbial metabolism dynamics and serves as a co-promotor for multiple PhD projects focused on bioplastic recycling and anaerobic bioprocessing technologies.

Collaborative projects involve developing novel bioreactor designs and optimizing pH-dependent selectivity in organic acid production. His research has been published in high-impact journals like Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology and Separation and Purification Technology.