Leonardo Gomez

Dr. Leonardo Gomez is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), University of York, and a Carbohydrate Specialist at the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC). He focuses on improving plant and algal biomass as renewable feedstocks for sustainable biofuels, chemicals, and materials. His work bridges academia and industry, aiming to enhance biomass processing efficiency and develop biorefinery technologies. Since 2003, he has managed a High Throughput Biomass Analytical Facility at CNAP, advancing second-generation biofuel research. He also collaborates globally to valorize algal biomass, including invasive species like Sargassum, and investigates enzymatic solutions to industrial challenges such as leaf residue-induced rail slippage.

His research spans genetic modifications to reduce biomass recalcitrance, algal-based biopolymer production, and sustainable biomass conversion processes. Dr. Gomez’s international partnerships include institutions in Europe, the US, Brazil, India, and Southeast Asia. He holds prior experience as a PI in Argentina and a visiting researcher at Rothamsted Research, UK.