Professor Thomas Bein is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) , where he leads the Functional Nanosystems research group. His work focuses on synthesizing and characterizing nanostructured materials with applications in energy, catalysis, and biomedical delivery. Mesoporous nanoparticles for drug delivery Semiconductor nano-morphologies for photovoltaics Photoelectrochemical water splitting Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) Electroactive networks His research emphasizes atomic-scale control of material architectures using self-assembly, hydrogen bonding, and covalent interactions, enabling precise tuning of electronic, optical, and catalytic properties. A review of his recent publications reveals cutting-edge investigations into covalent organic frameworks (COFs), perovskite-inspired solar materials, and functional nanoparticle systems. Key trends include optimizing energy conversion efficiency, enhancing stability in optoelectronic devices, and exploring bio-compatible nanocarriers for targeted therapies. Professor Bein’s group actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biomedical engineering, with ongoing collaborations in solar energy, sustainable materials, and nanomedicine.
Bradley D. Olsen is a full professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he leads research at the intersection of polymer science, soft matter physics, and bioengineering. His work focuses on designing materials for critical applications in biotechnology, hemostasis, and sustainable polymer development while advancing fundamental understanding of polymer network mechanics and self-assembly. Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of California Berkeley (2007) S.B. in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2003) Olsen's research spans protein-based materials, block copolymer phase behavior, and mechanochemical hydrogels. He has pioneered methods for quantifying polymer network topology, developing hemostatic nanoparticles, and creating bio-inspired materials for selective biomolecular transport and medical applications. His recent publications emphasize data-driven approaches to polymer characterization and educational outreach in materials science. Scientific Awards: American Physical Society (APS) Fellow (2023) Fulbright Amazonia Scholar (2023) Alexander and I. Michael Kasser Chair in Chemical Engineering (2021) ACS Macro Letters Young Investigator Award (2021) MIT Committed to Caring Honor (2019) AIChE Owens Corning Early Career Award (2019) APS Dillon Medal (2018) Kavli Emerging Leader in Chemistry (2017) ACS Polymer Division Fellow (2016) Camille Dreyfus-Teacher Scholar (2015) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow (2014) NSF Career Grant (2013) NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship (2008-2009) Hertz Fellow (2003-2007) Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (2002) Olsen has received significant grant support including NSF Career (2013) and AFOSR (2012) awards. His teaching activities include innovative international outreach like the 2025 soccer-themed science camp in Brazil. The Olsen Group at MIT explores advanced materials with applications ranging from trauma care to sustainable polymers.
Vikramaditya G. Yadav is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science. He directs the Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) Program in Sustainable Process Engineering and leads the BioFoundry research group. Education: B.A.Sc., University of Waterloo (2007) Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2013) Postdoctoral Associate, Harvard University (2014) His research spans sustainable chemical manufacturing, metabolic engineering, and biotechnology. Key areas include: Designing biosynthetic enzymes for biomass valorization Developing bioremediation strategies for industrial water quality Creating innovative drug delivery systems and tissue engineering solutions Advancing synthetic biology for pharmaceutical and bioenergy applications His recent work focuses on ocular drug delivery, cannabinoid biosynthesis in E. coli, lignin-based nanoparticles for cancer therapy, and computational analysis of plant secondary metabolites. Collaborations with start-ups, industry, and medical labs drive innovation in Canada's bioeconomy. Professional Leadership: Chair, Biotechnology Division of the Chemical Institute of Canada Associate Editor, The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering He is affiliated with UBC's BioProducts Institute and contributes to project-based learning pedagogy.
Rebecca Schulman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University. She holds secondary appointments in Chemistry and Computer Science and is affiliated with multiple interdisciplinary institutes, including the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, the Chemistry-Biology Interface Program, the Center for Cell Dynamics, and the Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics. She currently co-directs the Passport to Future Technology Leadership program for PhD students. Research Interests: Schulman's research lies at the intersection of DNA nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and smart materials. Her group develops intelligent, adaptive biomolecular materials and nanostructures by integrating concepts from materials science, biochemistry, circuit design, and soft matter physics. The team focuses on engineering dynamic self-assembly processes using DNA to create reconfigurable materials, molecular circuits, and autonomous soft micro-robots. Key themes include self-healing nanostructures, feedback-regulated crystallization, programmable hydrogels, and synthetic genetic networks for materials control. Publication Trends: Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on using DNA-based chemical reaction networks to program spatial and temporal behavior in materials. The work spans from fundamental mechanisms like catalytic polymerization and crystal growth regulation to applications in soft robotics, self-wiring circuits, and synthetic pattern formation. The research is highly interdisciplinary, combining synthetic biology with materials engineering to achieve life-like functionalities in non-living systems. Scientific Awards: AIMBE Fellowship Award Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship Award Hartwell Individual Biomolecular Research Award President’s Early Career Award in Science and Engineering (PECASE) DARPA Young Faculty Award DARPA Directors Fellowship NSF CAREER Award Turing Scholar Award DOE Early Career Award Advising and Grants: Schulman mentors graduate students and leads a vibrant research group focused on next-generation biomolecular engineering. Her work is supported by major federal grants, including the NSF CAREER, DOE Early Career, DARPA, and the Vannevar Bush Fellowship—a prestigious Department of Defense award for basic research. She is actively involved in training future leaders through programs like the Passport to Future Technology Leadership. Labs and Teams: The Schulman Lab at Johns Hopkins is a multidisciplinary team working on DNA-powered materials and molecular programming. The lab is embedded within several collaborative centers, enabling strong cross-departmental and cross-institutional research. Their work combines experimental biochemistry with theoretical modeling to design and implement complex molecular systems.
John M. Woodley is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), where he leads research at the PROSYS - Process and Systems Engineering Centre and contributes to the DTU Microbes Initiative. With over 30 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading expert in biocatalysis and bioprocess engineering, with research spanning both theoretical and experimental work across multiple scales. His primary research interests focus on the interface of bioprocess engineering, process chemistry, and reaction engineering. Dr. Woodley's work encompasses multi-step biocatalysis (including systems biocatalysis and flow chemistry), downstream processing from biocatalytic reactors and fermentations (including ISPR), modeling tools for bioprocess assessment (thermodynamics, kinetics, process simulation, economic evaluation), and bio-oxidations (including oxygen supply methods). His enzymatic investigations particularly target alcohol oxidases, carbohydrate oxidases, cytochrome P450s, Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases, and transaminases. His research portfolio demonstrates consistent innovation in sustainable chemical production, with particular emphasis on enzymatic synthesis of pharmaceuticals and chemicals from renewable resources. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on overcoming industrial implementation challenges, particularly regarding enzyme stability in various reactor environments, optimization of multi-enzyme systems, and scale-up methodologies for biocatalytic processes. Dr. Woodley actively supervises multiple PhD students and leads several significant research projects, including 'P450-based biocatalytic processes for the pharmaceutical industry' (2025-2028), 'Integrated model for up- and downstream bioprocess intensification' (2024-2027), and 'ENFACE: A tool for prediction of enzyme stability at gas-liquid interfaces' (2024-2027). His work has resulted in an impressive publication record of 781 research outputs across various formats, including journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. His research group operates within the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU, utilizing advanced facilities for biocatalysis research, including specialized reactor systems for studying gas-liquid interfaces, computational modeling resources, and laboratories for enzyme characterization and bioprocess development. Through his leadership in the PROSYS center, he contributes to DTU's strategic focus on sustainable process technologies and systems engineering.
Dr. Jeremy Guest is the Levenick Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering (and courtesy appointment in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He serves as Associate Director for Research at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and leads the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). His research focuses on advancing circular bioeconomies through sustainable sanitation systems, resource recovery from wastewater, and biofuel/bioproduct development from lignocellulosic biomass. Guest's work emphasizes Quantitative Sustainable Design (QSD) methodologies to bridge engineering innovation with policy and investment decisions. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering (University of Michigan, 2012); MS (Virginia Tech, 2007); BS (Bucknell University, 2005). Research interests include wastewater treatment innovation, nutrient recovery, bioenergy systems design, and sustainable agriculture practices. Key contributions include the EcoRecover phosphorus recovery process, the QSDsan modeling platform, and leadership in CABBI's $262.5M DOE-funded initiative. Guest has secured funding from NSF, US EPA, USDA, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Recognitions include the NSF CAREER Award, 2021 James J. Morgan Early Career Award, and the Paul L. Busch Award. He advises over 15 graduate students and leads multiple high-impact projects like the NEWgenerator sanitation system and oilcane biorefinery integration. Lab/Group: Guest Research Group focuses on experimental, computational, and policy-oriented research to solve global sustainability challenges. Current projects address algae-based wastewater treatment, fecal sludge management in low-income regions, and precision fermentation systems development.
Associate Professor LI Zhi leads the Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department at the National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on advanced biocatalysis for sustainable manufacturing, bio-based fuels, and functional materials. He holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Vienna (1991), an MEng from Chinese Academy of Forestry (1985), and a BSc from Nanjing University (1982). Institutional Affiliations: NUS Faculty of Engineering, NUS ChBE Department. His lab actively collaborates with global institutions like A*STAR and the Singapore Catalysis Society. Research highlights include enzyme engineering for cascade reactions, CO₂ utilization, and biomaterial synthesis. Research Interests: Discovery of novel biocatalysts, engineering of biocatalytic systems, renewable feedstock utilization, and smart material development. Recent work emphasizes cascade biotransformations for chiral chemicals and sustainable processes. Lab Activities: Hosted international conferences (e.g., Southeast Asia Catalysis Conference 2019), collaborations with industry leaders (GSK, Pfizer), and visits from distinguished researchers like Prof. Zhao Huimin. Student milestones include PhD completions (e.g., Wang Wen, Joel Choo Ping Syong) and postdoc contributions across institutions. Grants & Labs: Active in grants related to biocatalysis and green chemistry. Lab members include researchers like Dr. Nicholas Goh and PhD students Li Li. Infrastructure includes advanced facilities for biotransformations and material synthesis.
Dr. Yi Shen is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, and Chair of RACI Women in Chemistry. She is also affiliated with multiple research institutes including Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Sydney Southeast Asia Centre, The Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation, and The University of Sydney Nano Institute. PhD in Soft Materials from ETH Zurich Postdoctoral research at University of Cambridge and Harvard University Her research focuses on protein phase behavior and functional biomaterials development, utilizing soft matter approaches and microfluidic techniques to address challenges in neurodegenerative diseases, sustainable materials, and biomedical engineering. She has published extensively in top journals like Nature Nanotechnology and PNAS, with a particular emphasis on: Protein liquid-liquid phase separation mechanisms Biomaterials from protein nanofibrils Microfluidic manipulation of biological systems Biodegradable bioplastics development Shear force effects on biomolecular systems Pathological protein aggregation dynamics Key scientific achievements include: 2022 ARC DECRA Fellowship 2022 Sydney Nano Frontier award 2018 ETH Zurich Spark Award (for Fe delivery system invention) 2012 Princeton Grand Challenges Program 2 patents pending 2 Nature Nanotechnology cover articles As an educator, she coordinates CHNG2802 Chemical Engineering Modelling and Analysis, co-teaches CHNG3804 Biochemical Engineering and CHNG5605 Bio-products: Laboratory to Marketplace, and guest lectures across biomedical and nanotechnology programs. Her lab actively collaborates with institutions in Switzerland (ETH Zurich), UK (Cambridge), and US (Harvard, Princeton), focusing on transforming biomolecular understanding into real-world applications in health, industry, and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Li Shen is an Associate Professor at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development , Utrecht University since 2015. She holds the Energy & Resources group and has been active in sustainability assessment of materials and energy systems since completing her PhD in 2011. Education: BEng (Mechanical Engineering, cum laude 1999, Shanghai) MSc (Sustainable Development, track Energy and Resources 2006, Utrecht University) PhD (2011, Utrecht University, thesis: Bio-based and Recycled Polymers for Cleaner Production – an Assessment of Plastics and Fibres ) Research Interests: Dr. Shen specializes in Life Cycle Assessment and Technological Sustainability Evaluation of Bio-based Plastics , Plastics Recycling , Waste Management , and Nanomaterials . Her work bridges Environmental Science , Chemical Engineering , and Sustainable Development through rigorous system analysis. Scientific Publications: Leading expert in Circular Economy applications for plastics Developed Ex-ante LCA frameworks for emerging materials Key contributor to PEF Bio-based Bottle sustainability analysis Active in Telescope Energy Systems sustainability Published in Nature Communications , Science of the Total Environment , and Journal of Cleaner Production Teaching: Responsible instructor for Advanced Energy Analysis in the Master Energy Science program. Also teaches Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainable Resources Use in the Global Sustainability Science bachelor program. Supervises numerous master thesis projects from Energy Science (ES), Sustainable Development (SD-EM), and Science for Energy Innovation (SBI) programs.
Professor George Britovsek (FRSC) is a leading figure in catalysis and sustainable carbon management at Imperial College London . As Director of the MRes in Catalysis & Engineering and Head of Teaching in Inorganic Chemistry, he bridges academic leadership with cutting-edge research. His work focuses on transition metal complexes for converting ethylene , alkanes , biomass , and CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels through industrial collaborations. Education : M.Sc. (Technical University of Aachen, 1990), Ph.D. (Aachen, 1993) under Prof. W. Keim Postdoctoral Training : University of Tasmania (1994-1996), Imperial College London (1996-2000) His research interests span: Selective oxidation of alkanes using bio-inspired iron complexes Alkene conversions to functional polymers via novel catalysts CO₂ valorization into polymers and cyclic carbonates Biomass-derived feedstocks for chemical synthesis Recent catalysis trends highlight his work on: Designing Fe-N/C catalysts for epoxidation Developing PN3P pincer ligands for H₂ activation Creating degradable polyethylene via iron-catalyzed chain growth Modeling alternating α-olefin distributions in chromium systems Awards : Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) Students & Collaborators actively engage in: Photocatalytic polymer degradation Electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion Functionalized polymeric materials 3D-printed catalytic scaffolds His Britovsek Research Group operates at the Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, advancing both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis through experimental and computational approaches.
Mark Martinez-Klimov is a researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Åbo Akademi University, Faculty of Science and Engineering. His work focuses on catalysis for sustainable energy and renewable fuel production, with an emphasis on heterogeneous catalysis, biomass conversion, and CO2 utilization. He is actively involved in experimental and kinetic studies of catalytic processes. Research Interests: His primary research areas include hydrodeoxygenation, dry methane reforming, combustion synthesis, and catalytic upgrading of bio-oil and biomass derivatives. He investigates catalyst design, deactivation mechanisms, and process optimization using advanced characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. His work supports the development of cleaner energy technologies and circular chemical processes. The analysis of his recent publications (2021–2025) reveals a consistent focus on sustainable catalytic processes, particularly in renewable jet fuel production, hydrogenation of sugars, and CO2 valorization. His research spans both fundamental catalyst development and applied reaction engineering, often in continuous flow systems such as trickle bed reactors. The work integrates material science with chemical engineering principles to address challenges in energy transition. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: While specific students or grants are not listed, his collaborative publication pattern with senior researchers like Dmitry Murzin and Pavel Mäki-Arvela suggests involvement in major research projects, likely funded by national or EU-level grants. He appears to contribute to team-based research in catalysis and sustainable technologies, potentially mentoring junior researchers and PhD students within the group. Labs and Teams: Mark is part of a prominent catalysis research group at Åbo Akademi University, specializing in sustainable chemical processes. The team leverages advanced synthesis methods (e.g., solution combustion, impregnation) and characterization tools to develop novel catalysts for energy and environmental applications. Their work is highly collaborative, involving both national and international partners in the field of green chemistry and renewable fuels.
Berat Z. Haznedaroğlu is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, Bogazici University, Istanbul, where he has been serving since 2014. He previously held an Assistant Professor position at the Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, New York (2012–2014), and completed postdoctoral training at Yale University. His research is highly interdisciplinary, bridging environmental engineering, microbiology, and biotechnology. Education: Postdoctoral, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, USA (2012) PhD, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California-Riverside, USA (2010) MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University, USA (2005) BS, Biology, Middle East Technical University, Turkey (2003) His research interests include Environmental Microbiology , Microalgae Functional Genomics , Systems Biology , and the Fate and Transport of Pathogens . He is particularly known for his work on microalgae-based solutions for wastewater treatment, biofuel production, and space life support systems. His lab explores the integration of algae-bacteria consortia for sustainable biorefineries and environmental remediation. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward applied environmental biotechnology, with emphasis on microalgae applications in wastewater treatment, high-value product recovery (e.g., phycocyanin), and thermal processing effects on algal nutritional quality. The work spans from fundamental metabolic pathway analysis to real-world implementation in biorefineries and space missions. Scientific Awards and Grants: INDEPENDENT Project (€6.9M, 2019–2024) – Integrated Biorefinery for Bioeconomy MICRO-JET Project ($448K, 2020–2023) – Algae-Based Bio-Jet Fuel VirALGin Project ($185K, 2022–2024) – Algae-Derived SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors UzMAn Project ($65K, 2023–2024) – Microalgal Life Support for Space Renew-IST Project ($521K, 2022–2023) – Renewable Energy Center in Istanbul Dr. Haznedaroglu leads a dynamic research group with multiple funded projects and collaborative networks across institutions in Turkey and the U.S. He advises graduate students and has co-authored several book chapters and journal articles with junior researchers. His work is supported by major national and international funding bodies including TUBITAK, TUBITAK-Uzay, and the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Future research directions include closed-loop life support systems for space habitats and commercial-scale algal biorefineries. Laboratories and Research Platforms: His team operates within the CBE Institute at Bogazici University, utilizing facilities for microbial culturing, genomics, and environmental analysis. The INDEPENDENT and UzMAn projects involve advanced bioreactor systems and space-simulated environments.
Dr. Carla Vilela is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aveiro and Principal Researcher at CICECO. She coordinates the Sustainable Materials research line and leads projects on cellulose-based materials and circular economy. Her research focuses on sustainable materials from cellulose and renewable resources for applications in water remediation, food packaging, and textiles. Education includes a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Aveiro and postdoctoral work at CICECO and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source (UK). Research interests include: Development of cellulose-based functional materials Nanocomposites for biomedical applications Sustainable packaging solutions Biopolymer modification and characterization Publications demonstrate strong focus on cellulose nanocomposites, bioprinting bioinks, and active packaging. Recent articles frequently involve nanocellulose modifications, drug delivery systems, and sustainable material design. Awards include being named among World's Top 2% Scientists annually since 2020. Funding includes national projects (Cell4Janus) and EU collaborations (PRIMA Im-Pack). Leads the BioPol4Fun research group and supervises 6 PhD students. Current projects explore cellulose-based microrobots, resin valorization, and marine biopolymers.
Professor Ali Gilles Tchenguise Miserez holds a joint appointment as Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering and the School of Biological Sciences at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. He is also the President's Chair in Materials Science and Engineering. His research group, the Biological and Biomimetic Materials Laboratory (BBML), is highly interdisciplinary, bringing together molecular biologists, chemists, bio-physicists, and materials scientists to study natural materials with unique properties not found in man-made materials. Prof. Miserez's research interests span multiple areas including bioelastomeric membranes & coiled-coil engineering, mechanisms of biofouling adhesion & anti-adhesive coatings, molecular biomimetics of non-mineralized hard tissues, biomineralized structures with graded properties, and liquid-liquid phase separation. His work focuses on understanding the molecular, physico-chemical, and structural principles of biological materials and translating these designs into novel biomimetic synthesis strategies. His laboratory emphasizes "green chemistry" approaches that mimic nature's energy-efficient synthesis methods under ambient conditions. Prof. Miserez's publication record demonstrates significant impact across multiple disciplines, with work appearing in top journals including Science, Nature Materials, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Chemical Biology, and Advanced Materials. His recent research has particularly focused on peptide coacervates for intracellular delivery of therapeutics, with applications in cancer treatment, mRNA delivery, and nucleic acid therapeutics. This work represents a convergence of materials science, biochemistry, and medicine with significant translational potential. Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF) Fellowship (2011) - $3 Million individual research grant for early career scientists Prof. Miserez has mentored numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His laboratory has developed strong international collaborations and has secured significant research funding. Current projects include developing peptide-based delivery systems for cancer therapeutics, understanding marine biofouling mechanisms, and creating biomimetic materials inspired by natural systems. The BBML laboratory is actively recruiting talented researchers interested in interdisciplinary work at the interface of biology and materials science.
Prof. Silvia Vignolini is a leading researcher in sustainable and bio-inspired materials. Since January 2023, she has served as Director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , where she leads the department of Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials . Her academic career includes a Lecturer in Physics at University College London (2013-2017) and a Professor of Biomaterials and Sustainability at the University of Cambridge (2020-2022). Education: University of Florence (Physics, PhD) Postdoctoral Research: University of Florence , University of Cambridge Her research bridges chemistry , soft matter physics , optics , and biology , focusing on the self-assembly of natural materials into functional architectures. She pioneered work on cellulose-based photonic materials with applications in displays, pigments, and radiative cooling. The selected articles highlight her work on cellulose nanocrystals , structural coloration , and sustainable fabrication techniques . Key trends include mechanochromic hydroxypropyl cellulose systems, bio-inspired light management, and applications in microalgae growth and bacterial symbiosis. Scientific Awards : Philip Leverhululme Prize (2019) ACS Lectureship in Sustainable Chemistry (2018) Ipazia Prize for Women in Science (2012) PhD Thesis Award (University of Florence, 2009) At the Max Planck Institute, her interdisciplinary research group explores bio-inspired design principles for sustainable materials, combining experimental and computational approaches to create functional materials from natural resources.
