Ivan Sumerskii is a Researcher at the Department of Chemistry of Renewable Resources within the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. He serves as the director of the Core Facility Analysis of Lignocellulosics , focusing on advanced analytical techniques for sustainable materials. His research spans renewable resource chemistry, with emphasis on lignocellulosic analysis and sustainable polymer development. The Core Facility under his leadership provides critical infrastructure for studying biomass conversion and green technology applications.
Dr. Jeremy Guest is the Levenick Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering (and courtesy appointment in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He serves as Associate Director for Research at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and leads the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). His research focuses on advancing circular bioeconomies through sustainable sanitation systems, resource recovery from wastewater, and biofuel/bioproduct development from lignocellulosic biomass. Guest's work emphasizes Quantitative Sustainable Design (QSD) methodologies to bridge engineering innovation with policy and investment decisions. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering (University of Michigan, 2012); MS (Virginia Tech, 2007); BS (Bucknell University, 2005). Research interests include wastewater treatment innovation, nutrient recovery, bioenergy systems design, and sustainable agriculture practices. Key contributions include the EcoRecover phosphorus recovery process, the QSDsan modeling platform, and leadership in CABBI's $262.5M DOE-funded initiative. Guest has secured funding from NSF, US EPA, USDA, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Recognitions include the NSF CAREER Award, 2021 James J. Morgan Early Career Award, and the Paul L. Busch Award. He advises over 15 graduate students and leads multiple high-impact projects like the NEWgenerator sanitation system and oilcane biorefinery integration. Lab/Group: Guest Research Group focuses on experimental, computational, and policy-oriented research to solve global sustainability challenges. Current projects address algae-based wastewater treatment, fecal sludge management in low-income regions, and precision fermentation systems development.
Chang-Jun Liu is a Senior Scientist in the Plant Science Group of the Biology Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory, where he has conducted research on plant phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and lignin metabolism since joining in 2005. He also holds an Adjunct Professor position in the Biochemistry & Cell Biology Department at Stony Brook University and serves as Associate Editor for Plant Cell & Environment (2024-present) and Frontiers in Plant Sciences (2015-present). Dr. Liu's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology, Chinese Academy of Science (1999) Dr. Liu's research integrates approaches from biochemistry, molecular genetics, biophysics, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology to investigate phenylpropanoid and lignin biosynthesis in plants. His laboratory addresses fundamental questions about how lignin and related compounds are synthesized and incorporated into cell walls, how regulatory networks govern metabolic activity, and how lignification influences cell wall structure and function. A central aim of his research is optimizing plant feedstocks for efficient lignocellulosic biomass utilization. Analysis of Dr. Liu's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory from fundamental biochemical mechanisms to applied bioenergy solutions. His recent work focuses on cytochrome b5 diversity, electron transfer mechanisms in phenolic biosynthesis, and metabolic engineering approaches to modify lignin composition. This research spans from evolutionary studies of lignin biosynthesis across plant lineages to practical applications in bioenergy crop improvement. Dr. Liu has received recognition for his contributions to science, including: Brookhaven National Laboratory Science and Technology Award (2018) Dr. Liu serves as Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Biological Chemistry (2020-present), PNAS Nexus (2024-present), and Plant Physiology Journal (2025-). He is Scientific Lead at the Joint BioEnergy Institute, Feedstocks Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Project Lead at the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through multiple Bioenergy Research Centers. Dr. Liu leads a research group at Brookhaven National Laboratory focused on elucidating the posttranslational regulation and macromolecular organization of lignin biosynthesis, with applications toward developing designer lignins and reducing biomass recalcitrance for sustainable biofuel production. His work addresses the critical challenge of lignin's dual nature: while it impedes enzymatic access to polysaccharides in biofuel production, it also represents the most abundant renewable source of aromatic carbon for high-value bioproducts.
Professor George Britovsek (FRSC) is a leading figure in catalysis and sustainable carbon management at Imperial College London . As Director of the MRes in Catalysis & Engineering and Head of Teaching in Inorganic Chemistry, he bridges academic leadership with cutting-edge research. His work focuses on transition metal complexes for converting ethylene , alkanes , biomass , and CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels through industrial collaborations. Education : M.Sc. (Technical University of Aachen, 1990), Ph.D. (Aachen, 1993) under Prof. W. Keim Postdoctoral Training : University of Tasmania (1994-1996), Imperial College London (1996-2000) His research interests span: Selective oxidation of alkanes using bio-inspired iron complexes Alkene conversions to functional polymers via novel catalysts CO₂ valorization into polymers and cyclic carbonates Biomass-derived feedstocks for chemical synthesis Recent catalysis trends highlight his work on: Designing Fe-N/C catalysts for epoxidation Developing PN3P pincer ligands for H₂ activation Creating degradable polyethylene via iron-catalyzed chain growth Modeling alternating α-olefin distributions in chromium systems Awards : Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) Students & Collaborators actively engage in: Photocatalytic polymer degradation Electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion Functionalized polymeric materials 3D-printed catalytic scaffolds His Britovsek Research Group operates at the Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, advancing both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis through experimental and computational approaches.
Jonathan Conway is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University and an associated faculty member of the High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI). He leads the Conway Lab, which focuses on engineering plant-microbe interactions for applications in bioagriculture, bioenergy, and biochemical industries. Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame (2011) M.S. Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University (2013) Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University (2017) Postdoctoral Fellow, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill & Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2017-2021) Research Interests: The Conway Lab develops genetic engineering approaches for non-model bacteria at plant-microbe interfaces. Key research areas include: chemical signaling between plants and microbes, microbiome impacts on plant immunity, environmental stress responses in agricultural systems, and enzymatic degradation of lignocellulosic biomass using thermophilic bacteria. The lab employs bacterial genetics, systems biology, and biomolecular engineering to create technologies for sustainable bioindustries. Publication Trends: Recent work demonstrates strong emphasis on molecular mechanisms of plant-microbe communication (2020-2024), enzyme characterization in biomass degradation (2024-2025), and development of synthetic microbial communities for climate resilience (2024). Earlier research focused on extremophile enzymology and metabolic engineering (2012-2019). Student Advising: Currently mentors 4 graduate students and 8 undergraduates. Alumni include 9 former advisees who graduated between 2022-2024. The lab actively recruits students through Princeton's Chemical Engineering graduate program and undergraduate research initiatives. Laboratory: The Conway Lab develops microfluidic systems for root microbiome studies and genetic tools for engineering plant-associated bacteria. Current projects include designing thermophilic microbial consortia for consolidated bioprocessing and characterizing bacterial immune evasion strategies.
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.
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.
Lea R. Winter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Yale University's School of Engineering & Applied Science. Her research focuses on electrified processes at the nexus of food, energy, water, and climate, with emphasis on sustainable CO 2 conversion, green nitrogen fixation, wastewater valorization, and plasma-electrochemical systems. She leads an active research group and mentors multiple PhD students, postdocs, and undergraduates. Ph.D., Columbia University B.S., Yale University Dr. Winter's research interests lie at the intersection of sustainability and chemical engineering. She pioneers electrified membrane technologies, plasma-activated reactions, and catalytic processes for converting waste streams (CO 2 , nitrates, wastewater) into valuable fuels, chemicals, and fertilizers. Her work integrates electrochemistry, plasma chemistry, and heterogeneous catalysis to develop distributed, circular solutions for environmental challenges. Key themes include green ammonia production , on-demand fertilizer synthesis , and electrified water treatment with resource recovery. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on electrified membranes for nitrate and CO 2 conversion, plasma-activated co-processing of N 2 and C 1 gases, and single-atom catalysis for environmental applications. Her research spans fundamental reaction mechanisms to scalable engineering solutions, often published in high-impact journals such as Nature Water , PNAS , and Joule . The work demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward enabling a distributed hydrogen and nitrogen economy through sustainable electrochemical and plasma-driven technologies. Scientific Awards: Beckman Young Investigator Award (2024) Department of Energy Early Career Award (2024) Caltech Young Investigators Lecture Series Award (2022) NEWT Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2015) North American Catalysis Society Kokes Award (2019) Dr. Winter actively mentors students and has advised several who have gone on to PhD programs and faculty positions. Her lab receives significant research funding, as evidenced by her early-career awards from DOE and NSF. She leads projects on mining nontraditional water sources for hydrogen, plasma-based fertilizer synthesis, and electrified membrane systems. The Winter Lab fosters a collaborative, creative, and safe research environment centered on the principles of CRISP: Creativity, Respect, Investment, Safety, and Partnership. She also contributes to scientific discourse through invited viewpoints on climate education and critiques of emerging technologies like seawater electrolysis. Her lab collaborates widely, including with researchers at Columbia, Caltech, and international institutions.
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.
Professor Paolo Fornasiero is a Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Trieste, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where he has worked since 1998. He serves as Deputy Director of the department since 2021 and Scientific Responsible of the CNR Research Unit associated with the Institute of Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds (ICCOM) since 2008. His career spans EU projects, bilateral collaborations with China, India, and Argentina, and leadership roles in journals like ACS Catalysis (Executive Editor since 2021). Full Professor (2016–present) Associate Professor (2006–2016) Assistant Professor (1998–2006) Post-Doc, University of Reading (1996–1997) His research focuses on multi-functional metal-oxide nanosystems for energy and environmental catalysis, including green hydrogen production , CO2 valorization , and methane emission control . He pioneered core-shell catalysts and single-atom systems for stability and selectivity. His work extends to solid oxide fuel cells and photocatalytic water depollution . Recent publications highlight trends in photothermal catalysis , single-atom catalysts , and CO2 electroreduction . His 280+ papers (3 in Science , 2 in Nature Communications ) reflect expertise across Environmental Catalysis , Nanomaterials , and Green Energy . 2022 Malatesta Medal 2021 European Academy of Sciences member 2017 Edoardo Kramer Award 2016 Heinz Heinemann Award 2013 Chiusoli Gold Medal He oversees PhD/postdoc advising and participates in global capacity-building via UNIDO and World Academy of Sciences . His lab collaborates with institutions like KAUST , Czech Academy of Sciences , and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics .
Bert F. Sels is a Full Professor at KU Leuven (Catholic University Leuven) in the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Molecular and Microbiological Sciences, where he founded and heads the Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering (CSCE). He is also a Visiting Professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Guangzhou and co-founder of the spin-off company Zeopore. Previously, he directed the Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis (COK) from 2016-2019 and served as Head of the Division Bio-refinery and Sustainable Chemistry (2015). He obtained his Ph.D. in 2000 from KU Leuven under Professor Pierre Jacobs, specializing in heterogeneous oxidation catalysis. His research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis for sustainable industrial processes, with expertise spanning: Biorefinery and biofactory systems for chemical production Design of hierarchically structured zeolites and carbon materials Spectroscopic characterization of catalytic active sites Methane activation and small molecule kinetics Renewable chemistry and biomass valorization His group has published 350+ papers (h-index 88) and holds 30 patents. Publications demonstrate strong focus on catalytic biomass conversion, zeolite engineering, and sustainable fuel production, with recent work emphasizing lignin valorization, carbohydrate upgrading, and low-carbon chemical synthesis. Key trends include hierarchical catalyst design and integrated biorefinery processes. Awards and Honors: Green Chemistry Award (2015) INEOS Research Award (2019) European Academy of Sciences and Arts Membership (2018) DSM Chemistry Award (2001) TOTAL Research Award (2013) UMICORE Research Award (2012) First Clean Tech Challenge (2009) He leads the CSCE research group and co-founded the European Research Institute of Catalysis (ERIC). As former co-chair of the International Zeolite Association's Catalysis Commission and associate editor of ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, he maintains extensive collaborative networks.
Professor Jukka Konttinen serves as Professor of Chemistry of Biorefining at Tampere University within the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences and Department of Materials Science and Environmental Engineering. Previously, he held professorships at the University of Jyväskylä (2009-2014) and research positions at Åbo Akademi University and industry firms including Carbona Inc. His expertise spans thermochemical biomass conversion and sustainable energy systems. Education: D. Sc. (Chemical Engineering), Åbo Akademi University, 1998 Research Interests: Konttinen specializes in biorefining via thermochemical conversion processes including gasification, pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and combustion. His work encompasses hybrid energy systems integrating solid/liquid biofuels, biogas, and solar power at distributed scales. He develops chemical process engineering solutions through modeling, simulation, and experimental validation from laboratory to commercial implementation. Publication Trends: His recent publications (2013-2024) demonstrate concentrated expertise in biomass conversion technologies, emphasizing process optimization for lignocellulosic feedstocks, syngas quality enhancement, and techno-economic-environmental assessments. Key themes include pretreatment methods, gasification kinetics, and integration of thermochemical processes with circular economy principles across agricultural and industrial waste streams. Scientific Awards: Supervisor of Best Academic Dissertation (Tiina Keipi) by Tampere University (2019) Supervisor of Best Academic Dissertation (Tiina Keipi) by Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK (2019) Advising and Grants: Konttinen has supervised 13 PhD students (10 completed, 3 ongoing), 70 Master's theses, and 25 Bachelor's theses. His funding portfolio includes €250k as PI for Bio4all (Business Finland, 2024), €861k as WP leader for BL2F (EU Horizon, 2019-2024), plus €425k in confidential contracts (2014-2024) and €1.5M in prior grants. Labs and Teams: He leads the Bio and Circular Economy research unit and previously directed the Laboratory of Chemistry and Bioengineering (2017-2018). Current projects include EU Horizon's BL2F and Business Finland's Bio4all initiatives focused on climate-neutral energy systems and biorefinery commercialization.
Dr. Giulio Santori is a Reader in Chemical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering. He holds a PhD in Energy (2009) and an MSc in Mechanical Engineering (2004) from Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy. His research focuses on thermal energy storage, adsorption-based cooling and desalination systems, low-grade heat utilization, and advanced materials like ionic liquids and ionogels. He is a member of the Scottish Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre and the UK Carbon Capture Research Centre. Teaching: Chemical Engineering laboratories, design courses, and research projects. Research interests include optimizing sorption strategies for heat storage, developing sustainable adsorption heat pumps, and exploring applications of 3D-printed components in thermal systems. Current projects involve structured ionic liquids for vapor sorption and ionogels for desalination using low-grade heat. Recent publications highlight advancements in thermal storage technologies, adsorption cooling systems, and CO2 capture. Open PhD projects focus on ionic liquid-based sorption and hydrochar applications.
Jooyeoun Jung is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science & Technology at Oregon State University. She holds affiliations with the university's Food Science and Techno Headquarters and has been part of the OSU Main Campus since 2016. Her career includes roles as a Senior Researcher and Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2018-2021) before returning to Oregon State in 2022. Educated at Oregon State University with a Ph.D. in Food Science & Technology, her research focuses on sustainable food processing, value-added food product development, and innovative food packaging solutions. Key areas include edible coatings using nanocellulose, antimicrobial packaging technologies, and utilization of agricultural byproducts for eco-friendly materials. Her work emphasizes enhancing food shelf-life through advanced coating technologies, improving packaging functionality, and addressing challenges in food preservation such as mold control, lipid oxidation, and microbial inhibition. She has pioneered studies on hazelnut processing, blueberry anthocyanin stabilization, and fruit pomace valorization. Jung teaches courses like Introduction to Sustainable Food Processing (FST327) and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving food safety, material science, and agricultural engineering. Her research has led to innovations in molded pulp packaging, radiofrequency pasteurization, and functional food film development. Professional affiliations include the Institute of Food Technologists, reflecting her commitment to advancing food science through industry collaboration and academic rigor.
Henrik Haller is an Associate Professor at Mid Sweden University, affiliated with the Department of Natural Sciences, Design and Sustainable Development (NDH). His work integrates environmental science with practical applications in tropical regions, particularly focusing on land use, soil remediation, and sustainable food systems. Academic Title: Doctor of Philosophy Location: Östersund, Sweden Key Research Areas: Multifunctional land use, bioremediation, agroforestry, and sustainable development in the Global South Haller's research emphasizes transforming environmental challenges into opportunities. His work includes: Bioremediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soils using amaranth plants Urban agriculture potential in Swedish cities Life cycle assessments of cold-weather aquaponic systems Waste valorization strategies for contaminated lignocellulose sediments Universal design approaches to zero-waste communities Industrial symbiosis for local food systems He has ongoing projects in urban farming, wastewater resource recovery, and sustainable behavior transformation. His publications span topics from fungal metal tolerance to policy challenges in environmental governance.
