Daria Camilla Boffito is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal , holding the Tier-2 Canada Research Chair in Intensified Mechano-chemical Processes for Sustainable Biomass Conversion. Her research spans process intensification , catalysis , sonochemistry , photocatalysis , and metal extraction , with a focus on sustainability. Education: B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Milan, M.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry and Management Current Research: Developing ultrasound-assisted extraction , CO2 conversion , and floating photocatalysts for wastewater treatment Collaborations: Works with Canadian and international companies on sustainable chemical processes Scientific Awards include the Canada Research Chair Tier-2 (2016-2021), NSERC Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2016), and FRQNT PBEEE Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2016). Advising has seen 5 Ph.D. and 9 Master's students graduate. She leads the Engineering Process Intensification and Catalysis (EPIC) Laboratory and is a member of the Institut de génie biomédical .
Johannes A. Lercher is a full Professor of Chemistry at the Technische Universität München (TUM) since 1998 and Director of the Institute for Integrated Catalysis at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, USA. He also holds the title of Battelle Fellow at PNNL and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Catalysis. Education Diplom Ingenieur (summa cum laude), Technische Universität Wien, 1978 Dr. techn. (summa cum laude), Technische Universität Wien, 1980 Postdoctoral researcher, Yale University, 1982 Venia docendi (Habilitation), Technische Universität Wien, 1985 Research Interests Prof. Lercher’s research focuses on fundamental and applied aspects of heterogeneous catalysis. His team elucidates elementary reaction steps on solid catalyst surfaces using advanced in-situ spectroscopic techniques, including IR, Raman, solid-state NMR, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Major themes include the catalytic valorization of biomass, selective methane functionalization, hydrocarbon processing over zeolites and mesoporous materials, and the design of hierarchically structured catalysts that combine shape selectivity with optimized transport properties. Scientific Awards & Honors Alwin-Mittasch-Preis (2021) David Trimm and Noel Cant Lectureship Award (2017) ENI Award for Hydrocarbons (2016) R. B. Anderson Award (2015/2016) Kozo Tanabe Award for Acid Base Catalysis (2013) Francois Gault Lectureship Robert Burwell Lectureship (North American Catalysis Society) Elected Member: Austrian Academy of Sciences, Academia Europaea, European Academy of Sciences Honorary Professor: Chinese Academy of Sciences institutes (Dalian, Qingdao) and China University of Petroleum Leadership & Service Prof. Lercher has held numerous leadership roles including Dean of the Chemistry Department at TUM (2000–2003), Member of the TUM Senate (2003–2007), President of the International Zeolite Association (2001–2004), and current President of the European Federation of Catalysis Societies. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Catalysis and serves on the editorial boards of multiple catalysis journals.
Unni Olsbye is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oslo, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Her research focuses on catalytic processes in micro- and nanoporous materials, with particular emphasis on structure-composition-function correlations in catalytic reactions and mechanistic studies of product formation. She is affiliated with several research groups including the Catalysis Section, SMN (Center for Materials Science and Nanotechnology), ProfMOF A/S, and iCSI (industrial Catalysis, Science and Technology). Professor Olsbye's research interests center on heterogeneous catalysis, particularly examining how the chemical composition of catalytic sites, their immediate environment, and steric factors influence reaction rates and selectivity in porous materials. Her work spans zeolites, zeotypes, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for applications in CO 2 conversion, methane activation, methanol-to-hydrocarbons processes, and light alkane dehydrogenation. She investigates confinement effects in micro- and nanoporous materials, with processes studied including C-H activation, C-O activation, methane partial oxidation to methanol and syngas, methyl halide conversion, and ethene oxychlorination. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on energy-related catalysis for sustainability, particularly CO 2 conversion to fuels and chemicals, methane activation to methanol, and olefin production. Her work frequently employs copper-based catalysts in zeolites and MOFs, with increasing attention to bio-inspired catalytic systems. The research combines experimental approaches with advanced characterization techniques to understand reaction mechanisms at the molecular level. Professor Olsbye leads or participates in several significant research projects including BIZEOLCAT (bifunctional catalysts for alkane activation), CCU-NET (Nordic mobility network), CO 2 LO (CO 2 hydrogenation, TRL1-3), COZMOS (CO 2 hydrogenation, TRL3-5), CUBE (C-H activation, ERC Synergy), and ProfMOF (MOF scale-up and testing). These projects address critical challenges in catalysis for sustainable energy and chemical production. Her laboratory work focuses on advanced characterization of catalytic materials, particularly using in situ and operando techniques to monitor reactions as they occur. The research group collaborates extensively with experts in organic and inorganic synthesis, advanced spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations to develop a comprehensive understanding of catalytic processes in confined environments.
Professor Jun Huang is a faculty member in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Sydney, where he holds the rank of Professor and is Director of the Laboratory for Catalysis Engineering. He is also a Domain Leader for Materials at the nanoscale at Sydney Nano Institute and a member of several interdisciplinary institutes, including the China Studies Centre and Sydney Institute of Agriculture. His research focuses on catalysis engineering, with an emphasis on developing sustainable processes for renewable fuels, pollutant treatment, and greenhouse gas mitigation. Huang has held prestigious awards such as the Australia Research Council Future Fellowship (2022) and the Sydney Accelerator Fellowship (2018). Education: Huang earned his PhD from the University of Stuttgart (2008) and completed postdoctoral research at Georgia Institute of Technology and ETH Zurich. He joined the University of Sydney in 2010 as a Lecturer, advancing to Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor. Research Interests: Huang's work centers on catalyst design for green chemical processes, including biomass conversion to biofuels, wastewater treatment, and CO2 utilization. He emphasizes sustainable manufacturing and environmental impact reduction through innovative catalytic systems. Current Projects: These include catalytic transformation of hydrocarbons/CO2/biomass, nano-catalysts for renewable energy, and advanced NMR spectroscopy for catalysis analysis. Collaborative projects involve anti-cancer therapies and drug pharmacology studies. Awards: Over 15 awards, including the 2021 ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Lectureship and 2017 Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award. Teaching: Huang instructs courses such as CHNG2801 (Conservation Processes), CHNG3802 (Industrial Systems), and advanced chemical engineering topics. He supervises PhD/Master students in catalysis and sustainable engineering. Labs/Teams: Leads the Catalysis Engineering Lab and collaborates with Sydney Nano Institute on nanomaterials research.
David Rooney is a Professor and Dean of Internationalisation and Reputation at Queen's University Belfast's School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on energy systems at the intersection of renewable energy, agri-tech, and manufacturing, addressing climate change and net-zero goals. He actively supervises PhD students in areas like sustainable aviation fuels, carbon removal, and biochar systems. Key projects include leading the CDT in Bio-Based Negative Emissions Technologies and collaborating on hydrogen production and diesel replacement schemes. He has received an Excellence in Teaching award (2018) and contributed to global initiatives like the UK-China Net-Zero Engineering Innovation Centre. His advisory work includes overseeing 22 PhD students and managing projects with industry partners. Rooney's lab specializes in catalyst development, bioenergy systems, and process intensification techniques. Recent research trends emphasize sustainable hydrogen production, biochar applications, and adsorption-based environmental solutions.
Adjunct Professor Robert Speight holds a position at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) within the Faculty of Science, School of Biology & Environmental Science. His primary role is Director of CSIRO's Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform. He focuses on microbial biotechnology, enzyme engineering, and industrial biotechnology applications. His research spans protein engineering, microbial production systems, and biocatalyst development for industrial processes. Education: BSc (Chemistry) from Imperial College London (1996) PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge (2000) Research Interests: Enzyme optimization for industrial applications Microbial protein production systems Biocatalytic processes for chemical manufacturing Biorefinery development and techno-economic assessments Synthetic biology for future foods and sustainable bioproduction Grants & Projects: Lead investigator for the $6.5M Queensland Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology (2020–present) Biorefineries for Profit Phase 2 (RnD4Profit 2019) Collaborations: Works with industry partners and academic groups, including the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy at QUT. Affiliations: President of Synthetic Biology Australasia CSIRO Director of Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform Labs/Teams: Maintains collaborations in enzyme engineering and microbial systems through QUT’s adjunct role and CSIRO leadership.
Anker Degn Jensen is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), where he is affiliated with the CHEC Research Centre. His research spans chemical reaction engineering, catalysis, and particle technology with applications in energy and sustainability. His research interests include chemical reaction engineering , catalysis , combustion , gasification of solid fuels , flue gas cleaning (especially NOx and Hg removal), production of liquid fuels , and fluidized bed processes for coating and agglomeration in white biotechnology. His work significantly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and climate action. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in bio-oil upgrading , ammonia synthesis , plasma-assisted methane conversion , and adsorption modeling . These works reflect a deep engagement with sustainable fuel production, catalytic process optimization, and fundamental surface reaction mechanisms. Conversion of Furfural as a Bio-Oil Model Compound An Adsorption Isotherm That Includes Interactions Plasma-Assisted Non-Oxidative Coupling of Methane Optimisation of a Haber-Bosch Synthesis Loop Production of Phenolic Compounds from Argan Shell Waste Anker Degn Jensen is actively supervising multiple PhD students and leading research projects in hydrogen production, CO2 and H2O electrochemical reduction, bio-oil hydrotreating, and catalytic upgrading of biomass. He is involved in over 100 projects, including active grants on Conversion of hydrocarbons to hydrogen , Modeling electrochemical CO2 reduction , and Catalytic upgrading of pyrolysis oil . He is associated with the CHEC Research Centre at DTU, a hub for chemical engineering and catalysis research. His team collaborates on advanced reactor designs and catalytic processes for renewable fuels and chemicals.
Naim Rashid is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at Montana Technological University, with prior roles including Associate Professor at National University of Science and Technology (2023–2024) and Assistant Professor at COMSATS University (2015–2021). His work focuses on the water-energy-environmental nexus, particularly using microalgae and purple bacteria for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Education: Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from KAIST (2013), M.S. in Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology from Myongji University (2009). Research interests include integrated wastewater treatment using phototrophic microalgae and purple bacteria, biofilm technologies for resource recovery, and life cycle assessment of environmental processes. He also specializes in PFAS removal and bioremediation of coal ash ponds. His publications emphasize biofilm reactors , single-cell protein production , and bioenergy systems from waste streams. Recent work explores nutrient dynamics in biofilm growth, sustainable petroleum industry wastewater treatment, and algal co-cultivation for biodiesel. Awards: Green Talent Award (Germany), Global Young Academy Membership (2017–2022), Fulbright Scholar Award (USA). Professional Service: Curriculum Review Committee, Graduate Council, and advisor to Environmental Engineers of Montana Tech (EEMT) club. Projects: Bioremediation of coal combustion residue, PFAS removal, and integration of acid mine drainage treatment with aquaculture feed synthesis.
Jingyi Chen is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Arkansas. She serves as Vice Chair in the College of Arts & Sciences and leads the Chen Research Group focused on rational design and synthesis of functional nanomaterials for energy conversion and human-health applications. PhD, Chemistry & Nanotechnology – University of Washington (2006) MA, Chemistry – State University of New York College at Buffalo (2002) BS, Chemistry – Sun Yat-sen University (1997) Her research spans three major projects: Project I: Developing cost-effective catalysts for fuel cell applications through precise synthesis of copper-based bimetallic nanocrystals. Project II: Surface modification of nanoparticles with polydopamine for bio-related applications like low-friction coatings. Project III: Creating nanoplatforms for targeted drug delivery against antibiotic-resistant infections and cancer. Recent publications focus on nickel phosphide nanoparticles (2024), perovskite oxide oxygen evolution catalysts (2023-2024), and silver nanoparticle antimicrobial mechanisms (2020-2023). Her group has produced 15+ recent publications in journals like ACS Nano , J. Phys. Chem. C , and ACS Infectious Diseases . Award highlights include: Thomson Reuters Top 1% Highly Cited Researcher (2015-2018) Arkansas Research Alliance Fellow (2018) Women’s Giving Circle Award (2014) Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award (2011) She has mentored over 20 graduate and undergraduate students , including Ryan Manso (PhD 2022), Isabelle Niyonshuti (PhD 2021), and David Thompson (DOE SCGSR awardee 2022). Her lab (CHBC 304/306/309) employs advanced tools like synthesis setups , electrochemical stations , and laser irradiation systems .
Professor F. Handan Tezel is a Full Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Ottawa since 1988, with promotions to Associate Professor (1993) and Full Professor (2003). She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc.E. from the University of New Brunswick (1986, 1981) and a B.Sc. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (1979). Her research focuses on adsorption-based technologies for energy storage, CO₂ capture, membrane development, and sustainable materials. She has collaborated with industries like Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Axens, and international institutions. Her professional activities include roles such as Director of Conferences for the Canadian Society of Chemical Engineering and membership in the International Adsorption Society Executive Board. Awards include the John V. Marsh Teaching Award (2010), FCIC (2016), and FEIC (2017). She has also held part-time academic roles at institutions like Ecole des Mines de Nantes (France) and Tianjin University (China). Research interests span thermal energy storage, adsorption separations, and biofuel production. Current projects include landfill gas recovery, inorganic adsorbent membranes, and CO₂-to-fuel conversion. She supervises graduate students in these areas and actively engages with industry partnerships.
Prof. Dr. Martin Luccarelli serves as Professor of Industrial and Material Design and Deputy Head of the Teaching and Research Centre for Interactive Materials (LFZ IMAT) at Reutlingen University's TEXOVERSUM School of Textiles. His expertise bridges sustainable design, material innovation, and user-centered product development. Teaching Areas: Industrial/material design Location: Building 1, Room 116 Research focuses on green design cues , interactive materials , and sustainable product personality , particularly in automotive contexts. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to design education , eco-friendly material perception , and user interface optimization . Key projects include InBiO (bio-based car interiors) and KICKup (AI-driven cellulose cycles). Contact: martin.luccarelli@reutlingen-university.de
Dr. Amarjeet Bassi is a Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at Western University. He holds a Ph.D. and is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng). His research group has made significant contributions to environmental engineering, particularly in developing the world's first circulating fluidized bed ion exchange chromatography system. Dr. Bassi has established strong industry partnerships, including with Renix Inc. for commercializing his UIX technology and with Stanton Farms for phycoremediation research. Dr. Bassi's research interests focus on innovative environmental and bio-separation technologies. His work spans micro-algal applications for clean water and value recovery, integrated technologies for water refining and nutrient and energy recovery using biological systems, bio-separations, and biosensors. His research group pioneered the circulating fluidized bed ion exchange chromatography system (UIX), which is now being commercialized by Renix Inc. He has also developed significant expertise in phycoremediation, particularly for treating wastewater from dairy farms and greenhouse industries. Dr. Bassi's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on sustainable water treatment technologies, bioenergy production, and biodegradation of plastics. His recent work shows increasing attention to microplastic pollution, hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae for bio-crude oil production, and innovative approaches to wastewater treatment using microbial systems and phycoremediation. Distinguished Speaker Award from IChE (2007) Engineering Science Prize for Outstanding Teaching at Western University (2000) SPIE Optics East Best Paper Award (2006) Dr. Bassi has graduated over 45 highly qualified personnel (PhDs, M.E.Sc and PDFs/Research Associates) and supervised more than 50 undergraduate research students. His research has been supported by significant grants from Canada Foundation for Innovation, NSERC Strategic Project grants, OMAFRA New Directions, and other funding agencies. He has served in leadership roles including President of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (2014-2015) and as Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering. Dr. Bassi leads an active research group focusing on innovative environmental technologies. His lab has developed the world's first circulating fluidized bed ion exchange chromatography system and has established successful industry partnerships, particularly with Renix Inc. for commercializing the UIX technology. His research group maintains strong collaborations with Stanton Farms for phycoremediation research and works with various industry partners on wastewater treatment and bioenergy projects.
Marta Costa Figueiredo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), specializing in electrocatalysis and electrochemical synthesis for sustainable processes. Her research focuses on converting CO₂ and biomass into high-value chemicals like fuels and organic molecules. She holds a MSc from University of Porto and completed her PhD at the University of Barcelona in 2012, followed by postdoctoral positions at Aalto University, Leiden University, and University of Copenhagen. She joined TU/e in 2019 after industry experience at Avantium. Research Interests: Her work addresses challenges in CO₂ electroreduction, catalyst design (e.g., Cu-based bimetallic systems), and scaling-up electrochemical processes for industrial applications. Key topics include formate production via In₂O₃ doping, lignin-based electrode functionalization, and superparamagnetic ferrite electrolyzers. Her group emphasizes understanding reaction mechanisms at electrochemical interfaces and improving catalyst stability under practical conditions. Awards: ISE Travel Award for Young Electrochemists (2015) Advising & Grants: Supervises 18 students and contributes to courses on electrochemical energy storage and inorganic chemistry. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable Energy) and 13 (Climate Action). Labs/Teams: Leads research in TU/e's Inorganic Materials Chemistry group and collaborates with industry partners like Avantium. Active in interdisciplinary teams focusing on electrochemical CO₂ conversion and green chemical synthesis.
Louise Olsson is a Professor and Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology. Her research focuses on catalysis for emission control and alternative fuel production, combining experimental and kinetic modeling approaches. She leads a research group affiliated with the Competence Center for Catalysis (KCK), integrating basic and applied projects with industry partners. Her work spans catalyst design for exhaust gas purification, biofuel production via lignin valorization, and sustainable chemical processes. Notable research areas include sulfur poisoning mechanisms, NOx reduction catalysts, and kinetic modeling of catalytic systems. Over 230 publications highlight her contributions to catalysis, with recent studies exploring novel catalysts for expanded temperature ranges and bio-oil upgrading. Louise’s research emphasizes bridging fundamental science with industrial applications, addressing challenges in renewable energy and emission reduction. Her group’s collaborations with industry ensure practical impact, while their kinetic models provide insights into catalyst behavior under varying conditions.
Dr. Lin Wei is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University (SDSU). He holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from China Agricultural University, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Guangxi University), and M.S./Ph.D. in Biological Engineering (Mississippi State University). His research focuses on biomass conversion, bioenergy production, smart agriculture, and food safety. He leads projects on biochar-based fertilizers, cold plasma food safety technologies, and AI-driven precision farming. Dr. Wei has authored over 80 peer-reviewed papers and secured $7M+ in grants. He chairs multiple professional committees (ASABE Renewable Energy, USDA-S1075, ISO-WG6) and serves as editor for journals like Agricultural Engineering and Transactions of the ASABE. Recent grants include biochar soil health studies ($583K USDA) and nanobubble dairy waste management ($22K SD WRI). His team develops smart sensors for crop monitoring and biopolymer nanocomposites for food packaging. Notable awards include 2024 Outstanding Researcher (College of Agriculture) and 2022 Excellence in Editing (ASABE). Ongoing work integrates thermochemical processes with AI to enhance biofuel production efficiency and environmental sustainability.
