MARIA TERESA MOREIRA VILAR

Maite Moreira is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Santiago de Compostela, affiliated with the Higher Technical School of Engineering and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS). She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the same university, with a thesis focused on biobleaching processes using fungi peroxidases (1997). Her research spans bioprocess engineering, wastewater treatment, life cycle assessment, and circular economy frameworks.

• Education: BSc in Chemical Engineering (1992), MSc (1994), PhD (1997) from University of Santiago de Compostela. Postdocs at Wageningen Agricultural University (Netherlands) and University of Arizona (USA).
• Research Focus: Development of bioreactors for micropollutant removal, valorization of agro-industrial waste, sustainability assessments of biofuels, and nanotechnology applications in environmental engineering.

Research Interests include:
- Fermentation processes for enzymes and probiotics
- Biodegradation of pharmaceuticals and pesticides using white-rot fungi
- Nanomaterial-based systems for wastewater treatment
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) and circular economy metrics

Her recent work emphasizes multi-criteria approaches for bioeconomy strategies and sustainability assessments of biofuels like black liquor-based fuels. Over 140+ publications and multiple patents (e.g., magnetic nanoparticle-based reactors) reflect her innovation in environmental biotechnology.

Awards:

• Pescaenverde Technology Transfer Award (2018)
• Best Oral Presentation at International LCA Conference (2018)
• Aquaenvec BEST LIFE Environment Project (2015)

Teaching & Leadership: - Leads the BIOGROUP research team in environmental biotechnology
- Teaches graduate courses in Environmental Engineering and Bioprocesses
- Supervises doctoral/MS students in sustainability and biotechnology projects

Current Projects: - Multiscale Ocean models for climate risk mitigation (MORAI) (2024-202X)
- NANAQUA: Nanomaterials in water treatment (EU-funded, 2024)