Prof. Fausto Cavallaro is a Full Professor at the Department of Economics of the University of Molise (UniMol), Italy. His research focuses on sustainability, renewable energy systems, multi-criteria decision-making methodologies, and fuzzy logic applications in environmental and economic contexts. He holds a prominent role in academic administration through his position as Professore Ordinario. Key research areas include renewable energy technology assessment, sustainable supply chain management, and innovative decision frameworks for environmental policy design. His work integrates advanced mathematical models (e.g., intuitionistic fuzzy systems, TOPSIS, AHP) with real-world applications in energy systems, urban planning, and healthcare logistics. Recent publications (2020–2025) emphasize sustainability challenges like zero-carbon transportation, humanitarian crisis impacts on tourism, and digital transformation in human resource management. He has contributed to global discussions on energy transition through frameworks for evaluating solar power, biofuel, and offshore wind projects. Prof. Cavallaro collaborates internationally, evidenced by co-authored studies across Europe and Asia. His work bridges technical decision-making tools with socio-economic factors, addressing complex sustainability challenges at local, national, and global scales.
Carlos Almeida Peña is a Lecturer in the Marine Sciences Faculty at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and a scientist at the Institute of Oceanography and Global Change and the Spanish Bank of Algae (BEA). He holds a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences (1996) and has 18 years of research experience in Biological Oceanography, focusing on zooplankton physiology and enzymatic methods. Since 2006, his work has centered on algal biotechnology at the BEA, where he leads the Cytometry unit and co-coordinates the Biotechnology unit. His research emphasizes microalgae cultivation, physiological characterization, and applications in CO2 biofiltration and wastewater treatment. Education: Ph.D. in Marine Sciences (1996). Research interests include algal physiology, applied phycology, and climate change impacts on marine systems. He has extensive expertise in laboratory and pilot-scale algae cultivation, particularly for bioremediation and bioenergy. Publications span topics like microalgae metabolism, cyanobacteria transformation, and bioremediation strategies. His work bridges fundamental marine science with applied biotechnology solutions for environmental challenges. Labs/Teams: Head of Service at BEA, oversees Cytometry and Biotechnology units, collaborates in multidisciplinary teams addressing marine resource sustainability and biotechnological innovation.
Ana Arias is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), funded by the Xunta de Galicia. She holds a BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering and Bioprocesses from the same institution. Her research focuses on environmental management, waste valorization, and circular economy principles, with a particular emphasis on applying life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies to lignocellulosic refinery and waste management systems. Professional Affiliations: Department of Chemical Engineering School of Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela Research Interests: Development of sustainable waste-to-resource strategies Integration of multi-criteria approaches in bioeconomy frameworks Evaluation of biofuel and biorefinery sustainability Environmental assessment of industrial symbiosis networks Key Projects: NANAQUA (EU MSCA Project): Investigating nanomaterials in water treatment applications (€3.98M funding) SUSWELL (euniwell Project): Promoting circular economy in higher education institutions (€6,500 funding) Awards & Recognition: 1st Best Oral Presentation Award at the V Simposio de Investigación en Tecnologías Ambientales (2021) Grants & Advising: Supervised Master's thesis on aronia juice waste valorization (Isabella Narváez, 2024). Actively contributes to EU-funded research and international collaboration networks. Labs/Teams: Member of the Sustainable Bioprocesses and Environmental Engineering research group at the University of Santiago's Department of Chemical Engineering.
Dr. Maria Sotenko is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chester’s Faculty of Science, Business and Enterprise. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Warwick (2010) and prior academic positions at Loughborough University (2016–2019). Her research focuses on transforming waste into valuable products using biotechnology, with expertise in phytoremediation, CO2 capture, and life cycle assessment. She co-founded Novatica Technologies Ltd to commercialize sustainable processes. Education: BSc in Ecology (Novosibirsk State University, 2004), MSc in Catalysis (2006), and PhD in Chemical Engineering (Warwick, 2010). Postdoctoral work included projects at Bath University (Pd nanoparticle synthesis) and Warwick Manufacturing Group (Cleaning Land for Wealth initiative). Teaching includes modules on materials processing, fluid mechanics, and biotechnology. Active in funded projects such as Innovate UK’s BioPro initiative for low-emission protein production and the Scaling Sustainable Single Cell Proteins project. Over 10 peer-reviewed publications address topics like biodegradable composites, CO2 capture systems, and fungal-mediated catalysis.
Mika Aalto is a Post-doctoral researcher at the LUT School of Energy Systems, part of Lappeenranta University of Technology in Finland. His research focuses on agent-based modelling, numerical methods in biofuel quality, and biomass logistics systems. He is based in Mikkeli, Finland, and has contributed to projects such as the SairilaSIM circular economy simulation and biosavu biomass availability studies. His work integrates spatial data analysis, remote sensing technologies (e.g., LiDAR, multispectral imaging), and machine learning to address challenges in forest resource management, sustainable energy systems, and circular economy frameworks. Key emphases include optimizing biomass supply chains, evaluating transportation logistics, and enhancing the sustainability of forest-based energy production. Publications highlight advancements in agent-based simulation for biomass terminal operations, lifecycle assessments of supply chains, and the application of computational methods to analyze forest thinning and tree growth. His research bridges theoretical modeling with practical applications, aiming to improve the efficiency and environmental impact of bioenergy systems. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Mika collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, such as EcoSairila circular economy facilities and the PUUSTI initiative leveraging digital tools for sustainable wood supply.
Marcel Hoosbeek is an Associate Professor in Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality at Wageningen University & Research (WIMEK department). His research focuses on biogeochemical cycles in tropical and temperate ecosystems, with emphasis on soil carbon sequestration, nutrient dynamics, and plant-soil interactions under global change scenarios. He leads projects on Amazon rainforest responses to elevated CO2, tropical forest biodiversity impacts, and soil carbon storage in agroforestry systems. Key activities include supervising PhD candidates (e.g., M. Vos, K. Schaap) and collaborating on international initiatives like the ROBIN project. Hoosbeek has delivered lectures on climate change education and soil carbon dynamics across multiple universities. Recent research highlights seasonal variations in soil enzyme activities, root trait dynamics in Amazon forests, and CO2 enrichment effects on nutrient cycling. His work bridges experimental field studies with mechanistic modeling, addressing uncertainties in soil carbon assessments and climate mitigation strategies.
Susana Nieto Ceron is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia, affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 'B' and Immunology. She holds a Doctorate from the University of Murcia (2004) for her thesis on merosin-deficient muscular dystrophy, focusing on acetylcholinesterase activity and molecular properties in mouse tissues. Her research emphasizes sustainable chemical processes using biocatalysis and ionic liquids, with applications in biofuels, green solvents, and pharmaceuticals. She has also explored cholinergic system dysregulation in cancer biomarkers and cell proliferation mechanisms. Key research interests include biocatalytic synthesis in non-conventional media (ionic liquids/supercritical CO₂), development of green chemical processes for value-added products, and molecular mechanisms of cholinesterases in non-neuronal tissues. Her work bridges biochemical fundamentals with industrial sustainability, addressing environmental and health challenges through innovative enzymatic approaches. Publications highlight advancements in CO₂ capture, biofuel production, and enzyme-stabilized ionic liquid systems. While no specific awards are listed, her extensive contributions to sustainable chemistry and cancer biomarker research reflect significant academic impact. Ongoing projects likely focus on expanding biocatalytic applications and interdisciplinary energy solutions.
Antonio Donaire Gonzalez is a Full Professor in the Department of Inorganic Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de Murcia (UM). His academic career spans over three decades since earning his doctorate from Universitat de València in 1991. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a prominent researcher in bioinorganic chemistry and biocatalysis, with particular expertise in metalloproteins, enzyme chemistry, and sustainable chemical processes. Professor Donaire earned his doctorate from Universitat de València in 1991 with a thesis titled Estudio químico y estructural de la carboxipeptidasa a interacción con inhibidores aniónicos inorgánicos y pseudoproductos de la hidrólisis enzimática . His doctoral research laid the foundation for his subsequent work in metalloenzymes and protein chemistry. He is affiliated with multiple research groups at UM including Sustainable Chemistry, Metallodrugs, and Química de la Coordinación-Bioinorganica. His research interests center on bioinorganic chemistry with a focus on metalloproteins, enzyme mechanisms, and biocatalysis. Professor Donaire has made significant contributions to understanding structure-function relationships in metalloenzymes like carboxypeptidase and carbonic anhydrase. In recent years, his research has evolved toward sustainable chemistry applications, with emphasis on biocatalytic processes using green solvents such as ionic liquids and supercritical carbon dioxide. His work bridges fundamental bioinorganic chemistry with practical applications in CO2 capture, biofuel production, and synthesis of bioactive compounds. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a clear trajectory from fundamental studies of metalloproteins to applied research in green chemistry and sustainable biocatalysis. His work demonstrates expertise in enzyme chemistry, solvent engineering, and process optimization, with consistent focus on developing environmentally friendly processes for producing value-added chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels. His research group has pioneered approaches using sponge-like ionic liquids and biphasic systems for various biocatalytic transformations under solvent-free or green solvent conditions. Professor Donaire has been actively involved in several research groups at Universidad de Murcia, including Sustainable Chemistry, Metallodrugs, and Química de la Coordinación-Bioinorganica. These collaborative efforts have enabled him to pursue interdisciplinary research at the interface of inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering. His work demonstrates consistent productivity with publications spanning from 1989 to 2023, showing evolution from blue copper protein studies to current sustainable chemistry applications.
Emanuele Boselli is a Tenured Associate Professor at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano in the Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences . His work focuses on chemical and sensory characterization of wines , particularly from disease-resistant hybrid grape cultivars (PIWI wines) , sustainable viticulture practices, and food chemistry analysis. Research Interests : Wine authenticity, sensory profiling, polyphenol dynamics, sustainable winemaking, food waste valorization, and agro-industrial by-products. Awards : Recognized as part of the SUWIR project team at the Climate Change Solutions Awards 2024 for sustainability efforts in winemaking. Teaching : Coordinates courses on food and wine science, recovery methods of agro-food by-products, and sensory analysis techniques. Recent Publications : Primarily examine chemical-sensory correlations , innovative wine stabilization methods , and climate-resilient viticulture .
Dr. Kin Wai Cheah is a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies (SCEDT), Teesside University. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia, and a MEng (Hons) from the University of Nottingham. His research focuses on thermochemical conversion of biomass waste to biofuels, with expertise in catalytic processes, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment. He has contributed to over 38 peer-reviewed publications and maintains an h-index of 23. Dr. Cheah's academic journey includes a postdoctoral role at the University of Hull's Energy and Environmental Institute, where he collaborated on biomass-to-energy projects with industries like Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and PETRONAS. His current interests span catalysis, green chemistry, and machine learning applications in chemical manufacturing. He leads and contributes to projects such as BIONDER (waste biomass valorization) and Bluegen (biorefinery residue utilization). His research portfolio includes advancements in biochar synthesis for metal remediation, microwave-assisted biomass processing, and neural network optimization for pyrolysis. Collaborations span Malaysia, the UK, and Europe, reflecting his global impact in sustainable energy and chemical engineering.
Professor Richard Dinsdale holds the Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies (2020-2029) at the University of South Wales, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science. His research focuses on bio-electrochemical process engineering for carbon reduction and resource recovery, leveraging microbial cultures to produce energy (methane, hydrogen, electricity) and chemical products (bioplastics, single-cell proteins) from low-grade biomass and waste streams. Key areas include bioelectrochemical systems (BES), waste-to-energy conversion, and novel instrumentation for bioprocess optimization. Education: BSc in Applied Biology (Biotechnology), PhD in Anaerobic Digestion from the former University of Glamorgan (now University of South Wales). His work integrates environmental biotechnology with engineering solutions, addressing challenges in sustainable resource management and industrial waste valorization. Research Interests: Bioelectrochemistry, microbial fuel cells, anaerobic digestion optimization, electrodialysis applications, and scalable bioenergy systems. He collaborates with industry stakeholders to commercialize technologies like microbial bioelectrochemical systems for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Scientific Awards: Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies (£2.7M funding for 2020-2029), BBSRC PROBES grant. Advancing Projects: Development of zinc-bromine battery technologies for metal recovery, novel VFAs analyzers, and integration of bioelectrochemical systems into wastewater treatment plants. Recent publications emphasize real-time monitoring, CO2 utilization, and scalable bioenergy solutions. Lab/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary teams advancing bioelectrochemical systems, collaborating with industry partners and international researchers on net-zero transition technologies.
Paolo PAVAN is a Full Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, affiliated with the Department of Environmental Sciences, Computer Science and Statistics. He holds roles in the Research Institute for Green and Blue Growth and the Interdepartmental Center for Services for Experimental Disciplines. His research focuses on waste valorization, biofuel production, and biotechnological processes for converting organic waste into valuable products like biohydrogen, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). He leads projects on anaerobic digestion optimization, zeolite-assisted fermentation, and sustainable waste management strategies. Key research areas include: - Anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and sewage sludge. - Biohythane (hydrogen and methane) production. - Valorization of tannery and agricultural waste. - Development of integrated biorefinery systems. His recent publications emphasize technical-economic evaluations of bioprocesses and the use of advanced pretreatments (e.g., microwave, thermal, and chemical) to enhance substrate conversion efficiency. He has contributed to pilot-scale demonstrations of PHA production from municipal solid waste and sewage sludge.
Niklas Groll is a Researcher and PhD Student in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). He is affiliated with the KT Consortium and the PROSYS - Process and Systems Engineering Centre. His research focuses on hybrid modeling for risk monitoring in industrial processes, combining first-principles and data-driven approaches to enhance process safety and efficiency. Education: BSc in Mechanical Engineering (RWTH Aachen University, 2017–2022) and MSc in Chemical Engineering (RWTH Aachen University, 2022–2024). Exchange studies at Lund University, ETH Zürich, and NTNU Trondheim. His master’s thesis addressed dynamic scheduling with nonlinear model predictive control for biodiesel production. Research Interests: Hybrid modeling, process safety, renewable energy integration, and risk monitoring in emerging processes like green hydrogen and biofuels. His work bridges traditional mechanistic models with machine learning to address complex industrial challenges. Current Project: ProSafe DC-2, a 3-year PhD project (2024–2027) supervised by Prof. G. Sin and Prof. J.K. Huusom, targeting hybrid methodologies for risk monitoring in renewable hydrogen processes. Labs/Teams: Active in the PROSYS research group at DTU, collaborating with industry and academic partners through the ProSafe initiative.
Prof. Walter Leitner is a Professor of Technical Chemistry and Petrochemistry at RWTH Aachen University, leading the Molecular Catalysis group at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung. He holds a Chair established in 2002 and serves as Managing Director of the MPI's Molecular Catalysis division. His research focuses on sustainable catalytic processes, particularly CO2 utilization, green chemistry, and molecular catalysis. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Regensburg and extensive postdoctoral experience at Oxford and Jena. Key research interests include adaptive catalytic systems, nanomaterials in catalysis, and renewable energy integration. Notable achievements include pioneering work in CO2 conversion and receiving awards like the European Sustainable Chemistry Award (2014) and the Georg Wittig-Victor Grignard Prize (2020). His labs employ advanced techniques like computational chemistry and flow reactors. Leitner leads major initiatives such as the Cluster of Excellence 'The Fuel Science Center' and coordinates the EU-funded SYNFLOW project. His group collaborates internationally, addressing challenges in biofuel production, carbon-neutral propulsion, and sustainable chemical synthesis. He actively publishes in top journals like Angewandte Chemie and ACS Catalysis .
Prof. Giuseppe Ciccarella is a Full Professor of Chemical Foundations of Technologies at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento. He leads the Laboratory of Chemical Nanotechnologies and is affiliated with the INSTM UdR Lecce. His expertise spans synthesis and analysis of organic/inorganic materials for nanomedicine, renewable energy, and agropharmaceuticals. Education: PhD in Chemical Sciences. He has coordinated projects funded by the Puglia Region, Italian Ministry of Research, and PNRR. He serves on the Academic Senate and editorial boards of journals like Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications . Research Interests: Focuses on nanomaterials for sensing, energy storage, and drug delivery. Key areas include phthalocyanines for optochemical sensors, DSSC solar cell dyes, and CaCO 3 nanocarriers for anticancer drugs. He employs advanced techniques like HR-NMR, FT-IR, and TEM. Grants & Projects: Led initiatives on nano-additives for aviation fuels, biocide release systems, and Xylella fastidiosa countermeasures. Collaborates internationally, including with Mexico's University of Guanajuato. Labs & Teams: Directs the Chemical Nanotechnologies Lab and contributes to interdisciplinary research at the Ecotekne Center. Engages in innovation through valorization and spin-off initiatives.
