Olli Dahl is a Professor at Aalto University's Department of Forest Products Technology, specializing in Clean Technologies and Environmental Management. His work focuses on waste valorization, biorefinery processes, and sustainable resource utilization. Key areas include microplastic dynamics in composting systems, biochar applications for heavy metal decontamination, and optimization of mineral processing with recycled water. Research highlights include an international award for biorefinery innovation and groundbreaking studies on nickel recovery in flotation processes. He leads interdisciplinary projects addressing water quality impacts on ore processing and thermochemical conversion of agricultural residues into bioenergy. Dahl's recent work emphasizes closing material loops through circular bioeconomy strategies and advancing sustainable industrial practices. Awards: 2015 International Biorefinery Competition 2nd Place (Ministry of Employment & Economy, Finland) Key Themes: Waste-to-resource systems, industrial water management, bio-based materials, and metallurgical sustainability
Professor Bing-Jie (Bruce) Ni is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a full Professor at UNSW Sydney. He is an internationally recognised leader in environmental engineering, wastewater treatment, greenhouse-gas mitigation, microplastics fate, electrocatalysis and sustainable energy systems. Education PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei (2005–2009) Research Interests Professor Ni’s research integrates process engineering, microbial biotechnology, materials science and mathematical modelling to develop sustainable technologies for high-efficiency pollutant removal, minimal carbon footprint and maximal energy recovery from wastewater. He is a global pioneer in: Modelling and control of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions from wastewater systems, Micro- and nano-plastics ecotoxicity and mitigation in anaerobic digestion, Transforming sewage sludge into high-value liquid bio-energy (medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain alcohols), Designing cost-effective electrocatalysts from natural minerals for green hydrogen production and wastewater electrolysis. Research Output & Impact Over the last decade he has published 2 research books, 30 book chapters and >400 refereed journal papers , including 35 in Environmental Science & Technology and 85 in Water Research . His work has influenced global policy: the IPCC adopted his nitrous-oxide-emission model in 2019 to revise national greenhouse-gas inventories for the first time in 13 years. Awards & Recognition ARC Future Fellowship & ARC DECRA Fellowship Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science) Royal Society of Chemistry Highly Cited Researcher (2020–present) Mendeley Data Top 2 % Cited Researchers worldwide Listed among “Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers” (Engineers Australia, 2018) 50+ additional awards including Scopus Young Researcher Award, South Australian Water Awards, UQ Research Excellence Awards, and Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Awards. Research Funding & Leadership He has secured ≈ AUD $10 million in competitive funding (six major ARC grants plus >20 government, university and industry projects). He serves as: Lead Guest Editor, Water Research Editorial Advisory Board, Environmental Science & Technology Associate Editor for Journal of Cleaner Production , Environmental Chemistry Letters , Environmental Research , Journal of Environmental Management Editorial Board member for five additional high-impact journals. Teaching & Supervision At UTS he teaches Renewable Energy Technologies , Environmental and Sanitation Engineering , Process Dynamics and Control , and Water and Wastewater Treatment . He is available to supervise Masters and PhD students in environmental biotechnology, process modelling and sustainable energy systems. Laboratory & Commercial Translation He heads active research teams at both UNSW and UTS and is the inventor of >10 granted patents , some of which are currently being commercialised to deliver real-world impacts in greenhouse-gas-neutral wastewater treatment and renewable energy production.
Dr. Joseph Dumpler is a Lecturer at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zürich, specializing in Sustainable Food Processing. He holds a PhD in Dairy Science and Technology from the Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan, with a focus on UHT treatment of concentrated milk. His work emphasizes advancing food processing technologies, particularly in protein refinement, non-thermal methods, and membrane filtration. Educations: PhD in Dairy Science and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan (2017) MSc Food Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan His research interests include Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) for plant protein extraction, microwave vacuum drying of dairy products, and membrane filtration optimization for microalgae and dairy systems. He has pioneered methods to refine rapeseed and pea proteins while minimizing antinutrients, and his work on microfiltration of milk products addresses emerging microbial risks. Key contributions span kinetic modeling of heat-induced protein aggregation, sustainable food processing , and non-thermal concentration techniques . His articles reflect a focus on bridging lab-scale innovations with industrial applications. Awards: J.T.M. Wouters Young Scientist Award Julius Maggi Research Award (2018) Best PhD Thesis Award from the Association of Dairy, Food and Biotechnologists (Weihenstephan) Dr. Dumpler collaborates with industry partners to translate research into scalable processes, such as NADES-based protein extraction and microwave drying systems. His current role at ETH Zürich’s Sustainable Food Processing Lab (Prof. Mathys) focuses on plant-based meat analogs and novel protein refining concepts .
Bruno Klein is a Researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) working in the Economic Sustainability & Market Analysis group within the Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center. His expertise lies in techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) for biomass conversion pathways to biofuels and bioproducts. Bruno's educational background includes: PhD in Chemical Engineering from State University of Campinas Master's in Chemical Engineering from State University of Campinas Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Bachelor's in Multidisciplinary Engineering from École centrale de Lille His research spans conceptual process design, process integration, and sustainability assessment of biomass conversion technologies. Bruno specializes in biochemical conversion pathways with particular focus on algal biomass production and conversion systems. His work integrates techno-economic analysis with environmental impact assessment to evaluate the viability of emerging bioenergy technologies. Recent projects examine microalgae cultivation systems, sustainable aviation fuels, and ethanol production pathways from biomass feedstocks. Bruno's publication record shows consistent output with 29 research contributions between 2020-2025, demonstrating increasing productivity over time. His work addresses critical challenges in environmental sustainability metrics including greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and land impacts while maintaining economic viability considerations. As an active member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Bruno contributes to the professional community in chemical engineering and renewable energy research.
Professor Ingrid Undeland leads the Marine research group at the Division of Food and Nutrition Science, Department of Life Sciences at Chalmers University of Technology. She is a distinguished researcher with expertise spanning marine food science, lipid chemistry, and blue biorefining, having established herself as a leading figure in sustainable seafood research and marine biotechnology. Her educational background includes food science studies from Linnaeus University and a PhD in bioscience from Chalmers University of Technology and SIK (now RISE). Between 1999-2002, she was a post-doctoral fellow at University of Massachusetts Marine Station, which significantly shaped her research trajectory in marine food science. Professor Undeland's research focuses on pioneering next-generation seafood through innovative value chains from seaweed, small pelagic fish, fish side streams, mussels, and microalgae. Her specialized expertise lies in marine lipids and proteins, particularly their stabilization, isolation from complex sources, and nutritional properties including digestibility. She has extensive experience with antioxidant strategies using plant-derived side streams or extracts and fundamental studies of fish hemoglobins as pro-oxidants. Her work also encompasses innovative technologies for biomass fractionation and nutrient recycling to build blue biorefineries, along with in vitro digestion models and general seafood analytics. Beyond marine research, she explores filamentous fungi as sustainable alternative food protein sources. The trends in her recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on valorizing marine resources through advanced processing techniques. Her work increasingly focuses on sustainable extraction methods for seaweed proteins, particularly Ulva fenestrata, and developing antioxidant strategies using berry side streams to stabilize fish proteins. There's a growing interest in understanding the nutritional properties and digestibility of alternative marine proteins, along with environmental assessments of processing technologies. Her research consistently bridges fundamental science with practical applications for creating sustainable seafood value chains. Swedish representative in Nordic Lipidforum, WEFTA, and EuCheMS Editorial board member of Journal of the Aquatic Food Product Technology Member of the National Committee for Nutrition and Food Science at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Co-founder of the startup company AquaFood H-index of 47 according to Google Scholar Professor Undeland has an extensive record of academic mentorship, having supervised or currently supervising 23 PhD students, 14 postdoctoral researchers, and examining over 25 MSc students. Her research is supported by numerous grants, including the WaSeaBi Project which focuses on valorizing seafood side-streams through holistic value chain design. She collaborates with various industry partners and academic institutions across Europe. Her laboratory includes technicians Dr. Karin Larsson and Dr. Rikard Fristedt, and she leads a dynamic research team working on multiple projects related to marine biorefining and sustainable seafood development. Her research group operates within well-equipped facilities at Chalmers University, with specialized laboratories for marine food analysis, protein extraction, lipid oxidation studies, and in vitro digestion modeling. The team also maintains cultivation systems for seaweed and filamentous fungi, enabling integrated research from raw material production to final product development.
Susie Dai is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Missouri, with a laboratory located at the Bond Life Sciences Center. Her research bridges chemistry, biology, and engineering to address critical environmental and sustainability challenges. Education: PhD in Chemistry from Duke University; Certificate in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University; Certificate in Regulatory Science from Texas A&M University; BS in Chemistry from Fudan University Dr. Dai specializes in biological and material engineering, carbon waste conversion, contaminant remediation, and synthetic biology. She is developing RAPIMER, a lignin-based fungal scaffold for PFAS removal, and pioneering electro-microbial systems to convert CO2 into bioplastics and biofuels. Her work focuses on scalable, sustainable solutions for environmental pollutants and carbon utilization. Recent research trends include creating biomimetic materials for sustainable packaging, optimizing lignocellulosic biorefineries, and designing lignin-derived photocatalysts. She leads projects funded by Tito's Handmade Vodka's philanthropic arm for PFAS remediation and collaborates with the NSF Engineering Research Center CURB at Washington University in St. Louis. At Mizzou, Dai integrates engineering and life sciences, leveraging both Mizzou Engineering and Bond Life Sciences Center's resources. Her interdisciplinary approach combines electrochemistry, microbial engineering, and social impact analysis to advance circular bioeconomy solutions.
Aji Mathew is a Professor at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University. He holds a PhD in polymer chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University (2001) and conducted postdoctoral research at CERMAV (Grenoble, France) and NTNU (Trondheim, Norway). His academic career includes roles as an assistant professor (2007–2011) and associate professor (2011–2015) at Luleå University of Technology before becoming an associate professor (2015) and subsequently a professor (2017) at Stockholm University. His research focuses on bio-based nanocomposites and sustainable materials, particularly nanocellulose and its applications in environmental remediation, advanced materials, and circular economy solutions. His group, the Aji Mathew Group , specializes in designing bio-based materials for diverse applications, including water treatment, 3D printing, and biomedical uses. Key projects involve upcycling textile waste, developing eco-friendly composites, and creating functional hydrogels. His work bridges fundamental polymer chemistry with practical sustainability challenges. Publications highlight innovations like nanocellulose-based foams, zeolitic frameworks for water purification, and bio-based coatings. While no awards are explicitly mentioned, his extensive peer-reviewed contributions reflect significant scholarly impact. His research emphasizes scalability and real-world applicability, addressing global environmental and material science challenges.
Dr. Qing Jin is an Assistant Professor of Food Science at the School of Food and Agriculture, College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture, University of Maine. Her research focuses on economically-viable and environmentally-friendly food system innovation, with emphasis on value-added utilization of food waste and by-products through advanced processing technologies. Education: Ph.D. (2020) from Virginia Tech She teaches courses on food engineering principles (FSN 485), food engineering lab (FSN 486), food preservation (FSN 502), and co-teaches an advanced graduate seminar (AVS 633/FSN 671). Supported by the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, her current Hatch project (ME022423) explores sustainable food industry solutions through biorefinery approaches. Her work spans food waste valorization, biofuels, bioproducts, and techno-economic analysis. Recent publications highlight her expertise in dietary fiber modification, fermentation optimization, biochar development, and polyphenol extraction from agricultural waste streams. She actively seeks undergraduate and graduate research assistants for her lab. Contact: qing.jin@maine.edu | Office: 109 Hitchner Hall | Phone: 207-581-1687
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Selin Kara is a Professor at the Institute of Technical Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Leibniz University Hannover. She leads research in biocatalysis and bioprocessing, with a focus on sustainable and innovative enzyme-based technologies. Her leadership roles include Spokesperson of the Curriculum and Teaching Committee for Life Science and Chairperson of the Admissions Board for MSc Life Science. Full Name: Selin Kara Institution: Leibniz University Hannover Faculty: Faculty of Natural Sciences Department: Institute of Technical Chemistry Academic Rank: Professor Email: selin.kara@iftc.uni-hannover.de Her research interests center on biocatalysis and bioprocessing , particularly in redox biocatalysis , enzyme immobilization , non-conventional media such as deep eutectic solvents, biocatalytic cascades , and flow biocatalysis . She explores enzyme kinetics and process engineering to enhance efficiency and sustainability in chemical synthesis. Her group develops novel reactor systems and materials, including hydrogels and 3D-printed microfluidics, for advanced biocatalytic applications. She emphasizes green chemistry principles, aiming to replace traditional chemical processes with eco-friendly enzymatic alternatives. The most recent publications (2024–2025) demonstrate a strong trend in deep eutectic solvents , fusion enzymes , immobilization techniques , and sustainable synthesis of bio-based chemicals . Her work integrates experimental and computational methods to understand enzyme behavior and optimize reaction systems. Key themes include process intensification, solvent engineering, and industrial scalability, with applications in pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and sustainable materials. She holds leadership positions in academic governance, including: Spokesperson, Curriculum and Teaching Committee, Life Science (BSc/MSc) Chairperson, Admissions Board for MSc Life Science Executive Board Member, Institute of Technical Chemistry Deputy Representative for Professors in Faculty Council and Examination Boards Her research is highly collaborative, involving interdisciplinary teams and international partners, and is consistently published in high-impact journals such as Green Chemistry , ACS Catalysis , and ChemSusChem . While specific scientific awards and student advisees are not listed in the provided text, her extensive publication record and leadership roles reflect significant academic contributions.
Julie Zimmerman is the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Yale School of the Environment and a Professor in both the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of the Environment . She also holds an appointment in Epidemiology (Environmental Health Sciences) and serves as Deputy Director of the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale. Additionally, she is the Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Science & Technology , a premier journal in the environmental sciences. Ph.D., University of Michigan at Ann Arbor B.S., University of Virginia Her research is centered on green chemistry and green engineering , with a focus on designing sustainable products, processes, and systems. Key areas include developing water treatment technologies for inorganic contaminants using nanomaterials like chitosan-metal composites, advancing integrated biorefineries using supercritical fluid technologies, and promoting the design of safer chemicals and nanomaterials . Her work integrates life cycle assessment, policy analysis, and industrial ecology to address sustainability challenges. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend toward emerging environmental health issues , particularly the chemical composition and health implications of e-cigarettes and novel tobacco products . She also publishes on circular economy modeling, nanomaterial synthesis , and environmental policy . Her editorial leadership further amplifies her influence in shaping the direction of environmental science research. Elected Member, National Academy of Engineering, 2025 Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015 Elected Member, Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, 2015 Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize, ASCE, 2012 Multiple EPA Medals for Commendable Service University of Michigan Distinguished Dissertation Award, 2004 Dr. Zimmerman advises a large group of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers , many of whom have gone on to academic and leadership positions. Her lab is supported by major grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) , National Institutes of Health (NIH) , and other agencies, including the NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) and the Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science. Her lab, the Zimmerman Lab , fosters interdisciplinary research at the intersection of engineering, chemistry, and public policy.
Ana Inés Torres is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering. She leads an active research group focused on sustainable process systems engineering, with affiliations at the Center for Advanced Process Decision-Making and the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. Her work bridges chemical engineering with sustainability challenges, particularly in decarbonization and circular economy applications. Dr. Torres earned her educational credentials from Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay and the University of Minnesota: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota (2013) Diploma in Chemical Engineering, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay (2005) B.S. in Chemistry, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay (2003) Her research interests span process systems engineering with a sustainability focus, particularly in chemical industry decarbonization through electrification and biomass utilization, circular economy network analysis, and environmentally-friendly rare earth element recovery processes. She integrates modeling, analysis, and optimization to design clean and sustainable chemical processes, with growing emphasis on machine learning applications in process optimization. Analyzing her recent publications reveals a strong focus on decarbonization strategies for existing industrial infrastructure, particularly oil refineries, and circular economy network design. Her work demonstrates increasing integration of machine learning with traditional process systems engineering approaches to tackle complex sustainability challenges across multiple scales, from molecular recovery processes to entire supply chain networks. Dr. Torres has received several prestigious recognitions: NSF CAREER award (2024) Dean's Early Career Fellowships award (2025) Consultant for United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) (2024) Associate editor of Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy She actively mentors a diverse group of graduate students working on cutting-edge sustainability challenges, with recent projects focusing on circular economy networks, rare earth element recovery, and bio-refinery design. Her research has attracted significant funding, including the NSF CAREER award, and she participates in multiple collaborative initiatives through CMU's energy research centers. Dr. Torres also serves as an invited speaker at major conferences including FOCAPD and FOCAPO/CPC. Dr. Torres leads the Torres Research Group at CMU, which maintains strong connections with industry partners and international organizations including UNIDO. The group operates within CMU's robust energy research ecosystem, collaborating with the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and the Center for Advanced Process Decision-Making to address complex sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.
Dmitry Murzin is a Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, leading the Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry and Reaction Engineering Technologies for a Sustainable Future. His expertise focuses on catalysis, reaction engineering, and sustainable chemical processes. Key projects include the Flexible Clean Propulsion Technologies (Business Finland, 2024–2027) and Rebuilding Education and Research in Chemistry and Chemical Technology in Ukraine (Ministry/Government Agency, 2023–2025). Research interests span catalyst development for methane reforming, biomass valorization, and sustainable fuel production. Notable contributions include studies on heterogeneous catalysis, zeolite-based composites, and reactor technology optimization. Recent work emphasizes eco-friendly processes for converting biomass into high-value chemicals. Over 698 publications and 2 active projects highlight his prolific output in catalytic reaction engineering. Collaborations span global institutions, addressing challenges in energy, environment, and materials science. Advising 2 students, he also hosts academic visitors to advance collaborative research. Labs/Teams: Directly leads the Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry and Reaction Engineering Technologies for a Sustainable Future , fostering innovation in sustainable chemical processes.
Rui Shi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on sustainability engineering at the intersection of natural and engineered systems, prioritizing sustainable pathways for transportation fuels, bioproducts, agricultural systems, and food-energy-water systems through integrated sustainability analyses. She develops frameworks for quantitative sustainable design (QSD) and system-level environmental impact assessments to navigate technical, economic, and environmental trade-offs. Her work has led to advancements in plastic recycling via cold sintering technology, biofuel lifecycle assessments, and frameworks for sustainable aviation fuels. Notable projects include assessments of renewable jet fuels in the U.S. Northern Great Plains, cold sintering of LLZO-based composites, and quantifying uncertainties in greenhouse gas abatement costs. Shi has secured grants such as the $3.4M contract for plastic waste solutions and IEE seed grants for interdisciplinary sustainability research. Shi collaborates on global low-carbon transition initiatives and integrates computational tools like BioSTEAM-LCA for agile biorefinery modeling. Her research spans from fundamental material science (e.g., repurposing polyolefin waste) to policy-relevant analyses of land use change and bioenergy systems. She contributes to the Integrated Energy Systems and Water Sustainability research themes at Penn State's Institutes of Energy and the Environment.
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 .
Dr. Liang Yu is an Adjunct Professor at Washington State University (WSU) within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), Department of Biological Systems Engineering. He holds roles as a Guest Editor for the Journal of Fermentation (Energy Converter-Anaerobic Digestion), Faculty Senator for Non-Tenure Track Faculty, Anti-Hazing Advisory Committee member, and Review Committee member for undergraduate research scholarships at WSU. His research focuses on biorefinery-based industrial symbiosis and the circular economy, employing multi-scale mathematical modeling (molecular simulation, CFD, bioprocess control, machine learning) to optimize anaerobic digestion systems. His work aims to convert organic waste (animal manure, food waste) into renewable natural gas, fertilizers, and bioproducts. He has secured funding from the DOE and USDA, with over 60 peer-reviewed publications and five patents. Key research themes include hydrothermal pretreatment, ammonia recovery, microbial community dynamics, and techno-economic analysis. Recent articles emphasize anaerobic digestion innovation, biodesulfurization, and biohydrogen production. His contributions bridge environmental engineering, biotechnology, and sustainable systems design. Dr. Yu’s grants and patents reflect a commitment to applied sustainability solutions, with projects addressing agricultural waste valorization and energy recovery. Collaborative efforts drive his work, integrating computational modeling with experimental validation for scalable bioenergy systems.
