Madalena Alves

Madalena Alves is a Full Professor at the Department of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, and has served as Director of the Centre of Biological Engineering since 2020. Her work focuses on Environmental Biotechnology, developing solutions for bioremediation and bioenergy production from renewable resources.

• Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering (University of Minho, 1995)
• MSc in Biochemical Engineering (IST, University of Lisbon, 1992)
• B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering with Pollution Control specialization (Faculty of Engineering Oporto University, 1987)

Her research integrates Environmental Biotechnology, Anaerobic Digestion, and Carbon Materials to address waste treatment and sustainable energy. Recent publications explore conductive nanomaterials, microbial interactions, and pharmaceutical degradation. She leads the BRIDGE research group (Bioresources, Bioremediation, Biorefinery).

Key themes in her 157+ journal articles include:

• Methanogenesis with conductive materials
• Bioremediation of pollutants
• Valorization of industrial and agricultural waste
• Syntrophic microbial relationships
• Photocatalytic nanomaterials

Scientific Awards:

• Honorary Doctorate (Technical University of IASI, 2009)
• Excellence in Review Award (Environmental Science and Technology, 2007)
• Lettinga Award (2004)

She has supervised 25 PhD students and 55 MSc students, and contributed to European research programs like Interreg Europe (iWATERMAP) and ERC Advanced Grant NOVEL ANAEROBES. Her lab investigates microbial communities, bioelectrochemical systems, and integrated biorefineries.