Valentina Nielsen Perna

Valentina Nielsen Perna is a Research Fellow at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), specializing in Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology with focus on Lignin Biotechnology. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable production and climate action.

Her research expertise spans multiple critical areas of modern biotechnology:

• Laccase biochemistry and engineering (100% research focus)
• Enzyme mechanisms and applications (92% research focus)
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analytical methods (50% research focus)
• Fucoidan and lignin biotechnology (50% research focus)
• Alpha Oxidation processes (42% research focus)
• Glycoside Hydrolase enzyme systems (31% research focus)

Dr. Perna's publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory in developing enzymatic solutions for sustainable bioprocessing challenges, with recent work focusing on biomass conversion, human nutrition applications, and novel analytical techniques. Her research bridges fundamental enzyme science with practical industrial applications in biorefining and food technology.

Her scholarly impact is evidenced by citations across multiple publications and engagement on academic platforms like Mendeley, with several papers receiving significant attention from both academic and industry readers.

Dr. Perna actively contributes to the academic community through supervision and collaborative research:

• Supervisor for PhD project 'Unspecific Peroxygenases and their oxidative activity towards lignin' (2024-2027)
• Supervisor for PhD project 'Enzyme-assisted deconstruction of lignocellulose' (2022-2026)
• Supervisor for PhD project 'Disclosing enzymatic mechanisms for lignocellulose deconstruction' (2022-2025)
• Completed her own PhD on 'Laccase engineering and reaction analysis' (2015-2019)