Sharib Khan

Sharib Khan is a Research Fellow at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, affiliated with the Institute of Forestry and Engineering's Chair of Biosystems Engineering. His research focuses on electrochemical valorization of lignin and biorefinery technologies. He holds a Master's in Bioengineering from the University of Tartu and is pursuing a PhD under supervisors Timo Kikas and Sabarathinam Shanmugam.

Education:

• PhD Candidate: Electrochemical Valorization of Lignin in Protic Ionic Liquid Environment (Estonian University of Life Sciences, ongoing)
• Master's in Bioengineering: Enzymatic Oxidation of Biorefinery Lignin (University of Tartu, 2021)
• Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology (IMS Engineering College, India, 2018)

Research Interests: Electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, lignin valorization, sustainable biorefinery processes, and applications of ionic liquids. His work aims to convert lignocellulosic biomass into valuable materials like resins, plastics, and pharmaceutical intermediates.

Awards:

• Erasmus+ Mobility Traineeship Grant (2023)
• FRENCH INSTITUTE NORDIC AWARD – CIRCULAR ECONOMY (2023)
• The Green Step Award (2023)

Grants & Projects:

• Principal Investigator: Unlocking Lignocellulosic Biomass for Lignin-Based Drug Intermediates and FDCA Production (€270k, Estonian Research Council, 2025-2029)
• Contributor: Novel Biorefinery Concepts for Lignocellulosic Residues (EEA & Norway Grants, 2021-2024)

Professional Activities: Participated in INTERACT Summer School (2023), Finnish Training School for LignoCOST (2022), and BIOHACKATHON (2019-2021).