Michail Fountoulakis is an Associate Professor in the Environmental Applications of Biochemical Engineering at the School of Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Crete. He holds a Ph.D. (2005), MSc (2005), and Diploma in Chemical Engineering (2001) from the University of Patras, Greece. Current research focuses on anaerobic digestion, wastewater treatment systems (membrane bioreactors, constructed wetlands), and bio-based material production using microalgae and fungi Active projects include LIFE22-ENV-EL-HIPPOCRATES (hospital wastewater treatment), ELAIONAS (olive production residue utilization), and Zero-PM (persistent pollutant reduction) Key collaborations span HORIZON 2020, Interreg Greece-Cyprus, and Ministry of Rural Development and Food initiatives
Renate Kunert is a full Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna , leading the Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology. Her research focuses on Bioprocess optimization for recombinant protein production Antibody engineering (IgG, IgM, IgA) CHO and Pichia pastoris cell factory design Complement system interactions with immunoglobulins Glyco-engineering for therapeutic proteins She has developed stable cell lines for complex proteins like trimeric SARS-CoV2 spike and human IgMs against cancer. Key research trends from her publications include Statistical process optimization (DoE) Host cell line comparisons (CHO vs yeast) Computational antibody humanization Advanced bioreactor cultivation strategies Transcriptomic analysis for production bottlenecks Her work bridges molecular design and scalable bioprocesses. She supervises multiple PhD students and collaborates with teams in Europe and the USA. The institute maintains extensive cell banks for mammalian and yeast systems, supporting applications in HIV, oncology, and industrial biotechnology.
Dr. János Bindics is a researcher at the Institute of Biochemical Engineering within the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work focuses on bioprocess engineering with particular interest in plant-based protein production systems for therapeutic applications. Dr. Bindics' research spans Bioprocess Engineering , Biochemical Engineering , and Plant Biotechnology , with specific emphasis on developing efficient production systems for pharmaceutical proteins in plant expression platforms. His work contributes to the field of molecular farming where plants serve as bioreactors for valuable therapeutic compounds. While no recent publications are currently listed in the university database, Dr. Bindics has been actively involved in academic supervision of advanced research projects in bioprocess development. Academic Supervision: Katharina Fink (2024): "Production of the metastasis suppressor protein ITIH5 in N. benthamiana" Dr. Bindics maintains an active research program focused on optimizing bioprocesses for the production of medically relevant proteins, contributing to BOKU's research profile in biotechnology and food science.
Dr. Zhiyao Wang is a Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology and School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland. Her work focuses on Innovative nutrient removal and recovery technologies Greenhouse gas emission reduction Nitrogen conversion processes Biosolids management with a strong emphasis on acid-tolerant microbial systems and wastewater resource recovery. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering (UQ, 2021) B.Eng. in Environmental Engineering (Zhejiang University, 2016) Her research interests center on transforming wastewater treatment through novel biological processes, particularly acid-tolerant ammonia oxidation and ANAMMOX systems. She investigates mechanisms for Sludge stabilization Biosolids quality improvement Nitrous oxide emission control Microbial community dynamics Metal bioleaching Nitrogen cycling with applications in municipal and industrial wastewater systems. Recent publication trends show her focus on Acidic activated sludge processes Nitrogen removal optimization Biosolids valorization Greenhouse gas mitigation Novel nitrifying bacteria Integrated wastewater systems across environmental engineering and microbiology domains. Awards & Grants: ARC Early Career Industry Fellowship (2025, AUD 850K) Early Career Research Excellence Award (2024) Theo Murphy Initiative Grant (2024) Best Presentation Award (ICoN9 conference, 2025) Supervision includes mentoring PhD candidates in Nitrogen removal Novel microbial wastewater processes Sludge management Biosolids valorization while collaborating with industry partners like Urban Utilities, Melbourne Water Corporation, and SA Water. Collaborative Projects span Global Net-zero Water Alliance UQ-TUM international workshops CRC-P sludge management initiatives Mathematical modeling of methane emissions with academic teams across Germany, China, and Australia.
Christine Singer serves as a Researcher II at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) within the Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, specializing in bioenergy research. With over 12 years of experience in renewable energy research, she transitioned from GeoSynFuels (2008-2016) where she progressed from Research Technician to Research Scientist. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Singer's research centers on the biological conversion of lignin and sugars from biomass into high-value chemicals and fuel precursors, with significant expertise in Pseudomonas putida systems and bioprocessing techniques. Her fingerprint analysis reveals dominant research themes including bioprocessing (79%), titer optimization (55%), and coumaric acid metabolism (47%). Recent publication trends show increasing impact in high-visibility journals such as Nature Chemical Engineering (2025) and Science Advances (2023), with research spanning enzymatic PET recycling, lactam biosynthesis, and muconic acid production. Her 2023 Science Advances paper has garnered 48 Scopus citations and 61 Mendeley readers, indicating substantial scholarly engagement. Collaboration networks demonstrate extensive teamwork across institutions, with publications featuring large co-author groups from NREL and partner organizations. Her research has received attention through social media (X, Bluesky), news outlets, and academic platforms like Mendeley, reflecting broader scientific and public interest in her bioconversion work.
Juliane Floury is a Lecturer in Food Process Engineering at the Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, affiliated with the Department of Animal Production, Agrifood, Nutrition (P3AN). She has been with the institute since November 2002 and is actively involved in both teaching and research activities within the Food Science and Industrial Processes teaching unit and the UMR STLO (Science & Technology of Milk & Eggs) research unit. Dr. Floury's educational background includes an engineering degree from the National Institute of Applied Sciences of Toulouse (INSA), a graduate degree from ISAA (Higher Institute of Agro-Food), and a PhD in Process Engineering from the University of Nantes. Following her doctoral work on very high pressure homogenization of food emulsions at the Process Engineering - Environment - Agri-Food laboratory, she completed a post-doctoral year at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia in 2005-2006. Her research focuses on two primary areas: innovative food debacterization processes , particularly microbial decontamination of milk by pulsed electric fields and alternative heat stabilization processes that preserve nutritional and sensory qualities; and solute dynamics in dairy matrices , studying water and solute transfers during cheese production and consumption stages. Her work addresses important industry challenges including food safety, product quality preservation, and development of reduced-salt cheese products. Dr. Floury's publications demonstrate consistent contributions to understanding diffusion phenomena in dairy matrices, particularly using Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) techniques. Her research spans fundamental studies of protein structure and solute transport to applied food safety and quality issues. Recent work has expanded into areas such as environmental impact assessment of infant formula production and delivery systems for digestive enzymes targeting elderly nutrition. Microbial decontamination of food products Dairy matrix structure and functionality Solute transport in complex food systems Alternative food preservation technologies Food structure-digestion relationships Environmental sustainability in food processing Dr. Floury teaches process engineering and sizing of unit operations in the food industry, covering topics such as freezing, membrane filtration, decantation, agitation-mixing processes, emulsification, and enzymatic and microbial bioreactors. She also supervises practical work in dairy technology and engineering projects.
Akram Zamani is a faculty member at the University of Borås within the Academy of Textiles, Technology and Economics (including the Swedish School of Textiles), specifically the Department of Resource Recycling and Community Development . He serves as Program Manager for three Master's programs focused on Resource Recycling in biotechnology, energy technology, and polymeric materials. His research centers on converting food waste into renewable materials via fungal biotechnology. Research Focus: Industrial Biotechnology, Sustainable Development, and Circular Economy Supervision: Primary supervisor for doctoral student Kanishka Wijayarathna Contact: Email akram.zamani@hb.se or phone +46 33-435 4672 Zamani's work spans fungal hydrogel processing, biocomposite development, and waste valorization for textiles and packaging. His recent publications highlight scalable methods for producing renewable yarns and biocompatible films from bread waste, citrus byproducts, and agricultural residues. Projects like "Sustainable Fungal Textiles" (funded by Vinnova) demonstrate his commitment to reducing fashion industry pollution through bio-based materials.
Dan Åkesson is an Associate Professor at the University of Borås , affiliated with the Academy of Textiles, Technology and Economics and the Department of Resource Recycling and Community Development . He has worked at the university for over nine years, transitioning from industry experience to academia. Research focus: Resource recycling, plastic recycling, renewable polymers Current project: Sustainable recycling of green plastics and industrial plastic waste (funded by Mistra) Research Interests : Dan’s work bridges polymer chemistry and sustainability, emphasizing: - Development of biobased composites - Mechanical recycling of conventional and biodegradable plastics - Integration of waste materials into functional polymer systems - Biocomposite applications in biomedical and industrial sectors Recent Publications : His recent studies (2025–2020) explore bioresins from lactic acid, fungal biomass reinforcement, and thermo-oxidative stability of nanocomposites, aligning with sustainable material design trends. Supervision : Co-supervises doctoral students Sabrina Kopf and Emmanuel Ifeanyi Kalu in resource recycling research.
Zoran M. Vujčić is a Full Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, where he has served since 1988, progressing from Assistant Trainee to Full Professor in 2013. His career spans nearly four decades at this institution, reflecting deep institutional integration and academic leadership. His academic foundation includes: Bachelor's degree in Chemical Sciences (Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Belgrade, 1979-1987) Master's degree in Chemical Sciences (Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, 1987-1992) Doctorate in Chemical Sciences (Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, 1992-1997) Professor Vujčić's research centers on enzyme technology and biocatalysis, with emphasis on enzyme immobilization techniques, bioethanol production from renewable resources, and wastewater treatment using oxidative enzymes. His work bridges fundamental biochemistry with industrial applications, particularly in developing enzymatic solutions for environmental remediation of dyes and xenobiotics. He also investigates protein characterization, food chemistry, and bioremediation strategies using microorganisms. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2010-2013) reveals a dominant focus on enzymatic wastewater treatment (40% of articles), starch-hydrolyzing enzymes for biofuel production (30%), and novel immobilization techniques (20%). His interdisciplinary approach connects biochemistry with environmental engineering and food science, demonstrating consistent innovation in biocatalyst design. His scientific recognition includes: Ministry of Science Award for research excellence (2004) Silver medal at International Invention Fair (2010) Two gold medals at International Invention Fair (2011) for best product and technology Recognition as Serbia's top technological innovator (2010) Professor Vujčić has secured substantial research funding through 7 major projects between 2010-2017, including EU-funded initiatives (FCUB-ERA, COST Action) and Serbian Ministry grants. As project leader for two significant domestic innovations, he has driven advancements in molecular biotechnology and wastewater treatment. His international collaborations span Spain, Italy, and EU networks, focusing on enzyme applications in biofuels and environmental protection. He operates within the Faculty of Chemistry's Department of Biochemistry, actively contributing to the HF Innovation Center and Center for Molecular Food Sciences. These units form part of Serbia's strategic initiative to establish a Western Balkans Center of Excellence in molecular biotechnology, leveraging his expertise in enzyme engineering for regional scientific advancement.
Dr. Paula Dalcin Martins is a researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam , specifically associated with the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) . Her work focuses on microbial ecology and biogeochemical processes in marine and coastal environments. Research Themes: Methane cycling in eutrophic coastal sediments Nitrogen and sulfur metabolism in marine biofilms Microbial community responses to environmental stressors Biogeochemical modeling of methane oxidation Anammox bacteria in subsea environments Her recent publications (2021–2025) highlight expertise in metagenomics, microbial community analysis, and biogeochemical cycling. She has contributed to studies on plastic-associated microbiomes, tunnel concrete deterioration, and nutrient dynamics in marine basins.
Prof. Thomas Walther is Dean of Studies for Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Material Science programs at TU Dresden, serving since 2020. He holds the Chair of Bioprocess Engineering since March 2017. Born in Meerane, Saxony in 1973, his work bridges biological research and industrial applications. His research focuses on: Reprogramming microorganisms into efficient cell factories Integration of synthetic biology tools for organism optimization Bioreactor design and process scale-up Sustainable chemical production from renewable resources Advanced fermentation technology development He emphasizes engineering fundamentals combined with biological innovation to advance biomanufacturing. Honors include institutional recognition for excellence in research and education, signaling high standards to students and collaborators at TU Dresden. As educator, he prioritizes transferring scientific enthusiasm to students while developing critical thinking and professional readiness. His pedagogical approach emphasizes curiosity, critical analysis, and respectful discourse.
Dr. Denys Villa Gomez is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Civil Engineering , University of Queensland, and a Research Fellow at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology . With a PhD from IHE-Delft/Wageningen University (2013), she specializes in biotechnological processes for resource recovery from mine waste and wastewater, including omics approaches and microspectral tools. Academic Appointments Senior Lecturer, School of Civil Engineering, University of Queensland Research Fellow, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Research Themes Critical metals recovery from mine waste Synbio Mining (UQ Biosustainability Hub) Bioprocesses for circular economy Bioremediation of acid mine drainage Wastewater valorization Research Trends : Her publications focus on biogenic sulfide applications for metal recovery, synthetic biology in mining, and waste-to-resource conversions using microbial systems. Key technologies include sulfate-reducing bioreactors, microbial fuel cells, and peptide-based biosorption. Supervision and Leadership : She has supervised multiple PhD candidates and served as Chief Investigator in the ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources for the Future . Her work has influenced international standards for mine water treatment and metal recovery.
Dr. Pauline Krijgsheld serves as an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science within the Biology Department, holding a dual appointment with both Utrecht University and Utrecht Medical Centre through the Graduate School of Life Sciences. Her academic journey began with a PhD in microbiology, followed by two postdoctoral research projects focused on mycelium design before transitioning into her current teaching and research role. Her primary research interests center on molecular microbiology with a specific focus on fungal-based biocomposite materials and circularity applications. Dr. Krijgsheld's work spans sustainable product design to innovative habitat structures for extraterrestrial environments, aligning with Utrecht University's research areas in Planetary Health and Science for Sustainability. She has published extensively on Aspergillus niger biology, mycelium-based materials, and the development of fungal biocomposites, with her most cited work focusing on fabrication factors influencing mechanical properties of mycelium-based composites that has garnered over 300 citations. Dr. Krijgsheld plays multiple leadership roles including Programme Coordinator for the Bio Inspired Innovation (BII) Master's programme, Admission Officer for Biomedical Sciences programmes, and member of the Board of Admissions. She is also the founder of Lili's Proto Lab, a university makerspace dedicated to fostering innovation and hands-on learning. Her educational contributions extend to lecturing in multiple Bachelor courses and previously serving as course coordinator for the Life Sciences Academy.
Rachel Little Morris is a Senior Lecturer at the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program, Michigan State University. She serves as the Graduate Program Director and teaches courses in pathology, molecular diagnostics, research techniques, and writing. Education: A.S. in Medical Laboratory Science (University of Maine at Augusta), B.A. in Biology (University of Maine at Augusta), Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Microbiology specialization, Marquette University, 2011). Postdoctoral Training: Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University; University of Michigan Medical School (Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases). Research Interests: Her work focuses on microbial ecology in anaerobic wastewater treatment, bacterial physiology in low-oxygen environments, and diagnostic microbiology. She also contributes to faculty development initiatives. Publications: Her research explores methanogenic bacteria, gene expression in anaerobic environments, and microbial community dynamics in bioreactors. Mentoring: Dr. Morris actively trains students across high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels, emphasizing science education and laboratory diagnostics.
John P. Wikswo is the University Distinguished Professor at Vanderbilt University, holding appointments in Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, and Physics. He founded the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education (VIIBRE) in 2001, which has become a leader in microfluidic organs-on-chips and systems biology tools. B.A. in Physics, University of Virginia (1970) M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics, Stanford University (1973, 1975) For 47 years, he has pioneered biomagnetic measurements in cardiology, including the first detection of magnetic fields from single axons and cardiac virtual electrode effects. His current work focuses on autonomous robot scientists like Genesis, integrating microfluidics with AI for yeast chemostat studies, and microphysiological systems for drug discovery and toxicology. His 250+ publications and 47 patents span biomedical instrumentation , microfabrication , and interdisciplinary education via the SyBBURE program, which has mentored over 400 students. Awards include the 2017 R&D 100 Award and fellowships in seven societies.
