Dr. Paride Azzari is a researcher in the Sustainable Food Processing group at ETH Zurich , focusing on interdisciplinary approaches at the intersection of food science, biophysics, and soft matter physics. His work emphasizes scalable and sustainable bioprocessing techniques, particularly for microalgae and plant-based proteins. Key Research Areas : Pulsed electric field processing, liquid-liquid crystalline phase separation, and viscoelastic material behavior. Methodologies : Multiphysics simulations, experimental rheology, and open-source software development (e.g., Extrudion for tensile testing analysis). Recent publications highlight his contributions to optimizing biocompound extraction, understanding amyloid fibril organization, and advancing environmental bioremediation using agricultural waste. Notably, his work bridges fundamental soft matter research with industrial food processing applications.
Samuel Rochell is an Associate Professor in Poultry Science at Auburn University's College of Agriculture, specializing in poultry nutrition and avian health. His work focuses on optimizing feed formulations, amino acid metabolism, and mitigating challenges such as enteric infections and heat stress in broiler production. He holds a Ph.D. in Poultry Science and has extensive industry collaboration experience. Research interests include precision nutrition strategies for broilers, phosphorus digestibility in feedstuffs, and the role of functional ingredients like Spirulina and probiotics in improving gut health and meat quality. He evaluates nutritional interventions to enhance production efficiency while addressing welfare and sustainability concerns. Recent publications highlight advancements in understanding nutrient interactions under disease and environmental stressors, with a focus on Cobb 700 and other commercial broiler strains. His studies contribute to evidence-based guidelines for feed formulation and disease management in poultry systems. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Auburn Poultry Nutrition Lab and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. Active in interdisciplinary projects with the College of Veterinary Medicine and industry partners.
Dr. Daniel Wangpraseurt is an Associate Researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, where he leads the Coral Reef Ecophysiology and Engineering Lab. He joined Scripps in summer 2024 and co-founded Hybrid Reef Solutions, a startup developing sustainable coral reef protection technologies. Wangpraseurt serves as associate editor for Frontiers in Marine Science: Coral Reefs and sits on the Coral Restoration Consortium advisory board. His educational background includes: PhD from University of Technology Sydney, Australia MSc from Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology & Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Germany BSc from James Cook University, Australia Wangpraseurt's research bridges coral reef science, engineering, and biophysics with core interests in coral ecophysiology, restoration engineering, benthic photosynthesis, and blue technology. His work develops innovative tools for reef restoration while investigating fundamental coral physiological processes and optical properties. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in coral restoration technology development, including biomimetic settlement substrates, acoustic larval enrichment, and engineered biofilms. His optical research focuses on coral microstructure imaging via the Benthic Underwater Microscope (BUMP) and light-harvesting mechanisms across depth gradients. No specific scientific awards are mentioned in the source material. He directs the Coral Reef Ecophysiology and Engineering Lab and leads Hybrid Reef Solutions. His collaborative research includes NSF-BSF projects on Red Sea mesophotic corals and IntBIO grants integrating nanobiotechnologies for coral symbiosis studies. Wangpraseurt maintains active roles in the Coral Restoration Consortium advisory board and Frontiers in Marine Science editorial board, driving both technological innovation and scientific discourse in coral reef conservation.
Ann Mari Svensson is a Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at NTNU. She leads research on electrochemical energy storage technologies, focusing on lithium-ion batteries and emerging battery systems. Her work emphasizes silicon anodes, cathode stability, and electrolyte development. She manages battery materials research in the national research center Mozees (www.mozees.no). She holds an MSc in Physics (Semiconductor Physics) and PhD in Electrochemistry. Her research integrates laboratory facilities at NTNU's Department of Materials Science and NTNU Nanolab. Key collaborations involve industry and national projects. Recent work includes silicon/graphite composite anodes, high-voltage cathode stability, and sustainable diatom-SiO2 anodes. Public outreach includes articles in NRK on battery advancements. Her publications span 2015–2025, addressing electrolyte optimization, nanostructured materials, and interfacial engineering. She has advised numerous PhD and Master’s students through collaborative projects, though no named advisees are listed in the text. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, but her contributions to battery science are highlighted in her research output.
Jules Siedenburg is a Research Fellow at the School of Global Development, University of East Anglia. He also holds external positions as a Researcher at the Institute of Earth Systems, University of Malta (since 2023), and as a Research Associate at the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development (since 2022). His career bridges academic research and practical consultancy, primarily focused on Sub-Saharan Africa. PhD in Agricultural Economics, University of Oxford (2003) MSc in Environmental and Resource Economics, University College London (1997) MSc in Environmental Management and Change, University of Oxford (1996) BA in Ecology & Social Sciences, University of California, Berkeley (1990) Jules’ research centers on sustainable, climate-smart livelihoods for smallholder farmers, using mixed-methods to integrate quantitative and qualitative data while emphasizing local knowledge and voices. His current work investigates the potential of microalgal technologies—biofertilizers, biostimulants, and livestock feeds—to enhance food security and resilience in the face of climate change, particularly in Kenya and Malta. He explores both the technical efficacy and socio-economic factors influencing adoption. The recent articles highlight a thematic progression toward innovative biotechnological solutions for climate adaptation in agriculture, with a strong focus on empirical validation and real-world applicability. His work increasingly connects environmental sustainability with public health and food systems resilience. Jules has contributed to media and policy discussions on climate change, food security, and health, with coverage in 17 news outlets and references in policy sources. He serves as a Review Editor for Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems . As a freelance consultant since 2008, Jules has worked with international organizations such as UNDP, UNEP, DFID, EU, CARE, and Oxfam, providing evidence-based policy advice. His field experience began as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, followed by long-term engagement in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Malta. He collaborates across disciplines and institutions, contributing to knowledge dissemination and capacity building. He is actively involved in research networks and is currently assessing microalgal applications in partnership with institutions in Kenya and Malta, emphasizing community-based evaluation and scalable solutions.
Dr. Ian Levett is a Research Fellow at the School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland (UQ), affiliated with the ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites. Since 2023, he has focused on transitioning from linear plastics to circular economy models through halophilic biotechnology-based PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) production. His expertise spans bioplastics lifecycle assessments, controlled release fertilizer development, and techno-economic evaluations of sustainable processes. PhD : Chemical Engineering (UQ, 2020) with thesis on PHA-based fertilizer delivery systems Industry Experience : 2016-2023 - Process consulting for high-purity aluminum products in batteries and semiconductor manufacturing His research explores biopolymer extrusion processing , biodegradation kinetics , and polymer-active agent interactions . The 2016-2025 publication record shows consistent innovation in controlled release mechanisms , agricultural sustainability , and industrial biotechnology . Notably, 2025 work introduces a commercial viability screening tool for biodegradable polymer coatings in fertilizers. Current funding includes: 2025-2028: ARC Discovery Project for biodegradable fertilizer coatings 2023: Lihua Starch Pty Ltd grant for PHA production evaluation 2023-2024: Queensland Government pilot plant development for PHA from sugar Within the ARC Centre, he supervises PhD candidates in: Advanced bioplastic materials Novel halophilic PHA production PHA-based material development
Taylor Weiss is an Assistant Professor in Environmental and Resource Management at The Polytechnic School, Arizona State University (ASU), and a Senior Global Futures Scientist in the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars initiative. He is also affiliated with the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI) and the Sustainability Initiative at ASU. Weiss specializes in algae biotechnology for carbon capture, sustainable bioproduction, and Food/Energy/Water Nexus innovation. His research includes engineering algae-bacteria consortia, developing sensors for algal applications, and exploring bio-enhanced materials for environmental and health benefits. Key research keywords include: Algae Technology Carbon Capture Renewable Energy Synthetic Biology Environmental Engineering Bioplastic Production Scientific awards include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Training Fellowship. His work has been cited over 1152 times with 16 scholarly works and 8 grants.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Semanur YILDIZ ÖZDEMİR is a faculty member in the Department of Food Engineering at Sakarya University's Faculty of Engineering. She holds a PhD in Food Engineering from İzmir Institute of Technology, where her doctoral research focused on non-thermal processing technologies for strawberry juice preservation. With extensive experience in both academia and research, she has progressed from Research Assistant positions at Sakarya University and İzmir Institute of Technology to her current role as Associate Professor. Her research primarily centers on non-thermal food processing technologies including ultrasound, high pressure processing, and pulsed electric fields. She investigates how these technologies affect bioactive compounds, microbial safety, and quality attributes in various food products. Her work also extends to plant protein extraction from agricultural by-products, sustainable food packaging, and food safety applications. She has published numerous articles in high-impact journals and secured multiple research grants from TÜBİTAK and other funding agencies. Dr. YILDIZ ÖZDEMİR teaches core food engineering courses including Reaction Kinetics, Mass and Energy Balances, Fundamental Operations in Food Engineering, and specialized courses on Non-Thermal Food Processing Technologies. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on ultrasound applications for protein modification, sustainable packaging solutions, and novel food processing techniques that maintain quality while ensuring safety. She actively contributes to the scientific community as a reviewer for prestigious journals such as Food Engineering Reviews and Food Research International. Eşik Üstü Ödülü (award) As an active researcher, she supervises graduate students and leads multiple research projects investigating innovative food processing technologies. Her work bridges fundamental food science principles with practical applications for industry, particularly in sustainable food processing and waste valorization. She serves as a member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the Food Engineers Association, demonstrating her commitment to advancing her field.
Bengt Erik Höglund is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder. He holds a PhD from Uppsala University (2001) and has extensive postdoctoral experience (2001-2007) followed by a senior researcher role at the Technical University of Denmark (2007-2014). His research focuses on behavior neuroendocrinology in fish and crustaceans, emphasizing stress physiology, coping styles, and aquaculture welfare. He has coordinated courses in human physiology at UiA since 2005 and supervised four PhD students (2011, 2013) and two master’s students (1999, 2011). His recent work explores chronic stress impacts on fish neuroendocrine profiles, environmental acidification effects, and cardiac morphological development in salmon. Key themes include stress resilience, environmental signaling, and behavioral adaptations to anthropogenic changes. Collaborative projects involve hydropower impacts, predator cue responses, and aquaculture system dynamics. Notable contributions include studies on depression-like profiles in salmon, hydrogen sulphide dynamics in recirculating systems, and neuroendocrine indicators of allostatic load. He has participated in interdisciplinary initiatives like the Blekeprosjektet (2014–2017) and projects on hydropower-induced behavioral selection in salmon.
Dr. Dan Yuan is a Lecturer in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering and an ARC DECRA Fellow at the University of Queensland's School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering. She holds affiliations with the Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM) and the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology. Her research focuses on viscoelastic microfluidics, with applications in biomedical and environmental fields. She has secured over $1.6M in competitive grants, including ARC DECRA, JSPS, and Alfred Deakin Fellowships. Dr. Yuan completed her PhD at the University of Wollongong (2018), followed by postdoctoral roles at the University of Tokyo and Deakin University. She has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Nat. Commun. , Lab Chip , and Small , with an h-index of 30. Her work emphasizes particle/cell manipulation, microalgae detection, and smart sensors. Research Interests: Interdisciplinary research in microfluidics, microfabrication, and viscoelastic fluid dynamics. Her innovations include shape-based cell sorting and point-of-need diagnostic devices. Notable achievements include cover articles in Lab Chip and media recognition for breakthroughs in blood plasma extraction and cyanobacteria separation. Grants & Awards: ARC DECRA Fellowship (2024–2027), JSPS Fellowship, Alfred Deakin Fellowship, and multiple scholarships. She reviews for ACS Nano , Lab on a Chip , and others, and co-edits journals like Biosensors . Advising: Supervises PhD projects on viscoelastic fluid physics and microfluidic platforms. Available for candidates in engineering, IT, physics, and biomedicine. Current focus includes non-Newtonian fluid dynamics and environmental monitoring. Labs/Teams: Leads research in AMPAM and collaborates with global institutions. Her lab develops cutting-edge microfluidic technologies and smart sensors for biomedical and environmental challenges.
Dr. Fabian Abiusi is a post-doctoral researcher in Sustainable Food Processing at ETH Zurich's Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, part of the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST). His work focuses on developing innovative bioprocesses to convert industrial food by-products into high-quality microalgal biomass using mixotrophic cultivation strategies. His research emphasizes enhancing microalgae productivity through oxygen-balanced systems and improving protein bioaccessibility via in vitro digestion models and cell disruption techniques. His academic background includes a PhD (details unspecified) followed by postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich. Key research themes include acidophilic microalgae (e.g., Galdieria sulphuraria), photobioreactor optimization, and leveraging extremophilic organisms for sustainable food production. He has contributed to projects like the MAB2.0 initiative integrating algae into wastewater treatment systems. Abiusi's publications highlight advancements in mixotrophic cultivation, protein bioaccessibility assessment, and utilization of volcanic microalgae for nutritional applications. Though no awards are explicitly listed, his work aligns with emerging trends in circular bioeconomy and alternative protein sources. His research group collaborates on lab-scale to pilot-scale systems, aiming to bridge gaps between microbial biotechnology and food industry applications.
Fernando Cardenas-Lizana is an Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University's School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, affiliated with the Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering. His expertise focuses on catalytic processes for sustainable chemical manufacturing, particularly selective hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis reactions, catalyst design, and kinetic modeling. Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering (2009) from Heriot-Watt University, specializing in catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds. Prior to his current role, he served as a Research Scientist at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (2009–2013), focusing on sustainable heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation. Research Interests: Development of novel catalytic materials (e.g., nitrides, carbides), structured supports (metal-fibrous/polymer-based), and reactor engineering concepts to enhance process efficiency and sustainability. Key areas include: Hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds Catalytic growth of carbon nanofibers Kinetic modeling of catalytic systems Waste valorization via bio-oil deoxygenation Publications (selected highlights): Over 78 peer-reviewed articles since 2008, with recent work addressing catalyst design for deoxygenation of microalgae bio-oil, Ni sulfide nanoparticles for aniline production, and gas-phase condensation mechanisms. His research frequently explores sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical processes. Grants/Advising: No specific grants or advisee names listed in the text, though his work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and responsible consumption. Labs/Teams: Active in the Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering, collaborating internationally on catalytic materials and sustainable processes.
Dr. Aimaro Sanna is an Associate Professor in Chemical and Process Engineering at Heriot-Watt University's School of Engineering & Physical Sciences. His research focuses on catalytic systems for biofuel production, waste valorization, and CO2 capture technologies. He holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham and has extensive experience in clean fossil fuel technologies and catalytic reactor design. Research interests include advanced biofuels, catalytic membrane reactors, mineral carbonation, and thermochemical conversion of biomass and organic wastes. He leads the Advanced Biofuels Lab ( www.advancedbiofuelslab.com ), collaborating with industries to develop sustainable processes. He serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of CO2 Utilization and is a member of university disciplinary committees. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable clean energy and climate action. Awarded the 2024 'World Top 2% Scientist' recognition, his research spans 91 publications. Key areas include CO2 capture via solid sorbents, catalytic pyrolysis of lignin, and green hydrogen production using novel photocathode materials.
Frederico Castelo Ferreira is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. His primary affiliation is with the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (IST/IBB). He holds a dual focus on academic research and industrial collaboration, with expertise in bioengineering, bioprocess development, and biomaterials. Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (Imperial College London), postdoctoral training at Imperial College London and Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and MIT-Portugal Program involvement. Research: Specializes in sustainable biofuels, advanced separations in pharmaceuticals, and biomaterials for tissue engineering. Key projects include membrane-based systems for biofuel production, stem cell microenvironment engineering, and electroconductive scaffolds for neural and bone regeneration. Awards: 1st Prize for Knowledge Valorization (2008), Technology Venture Fellowship (2006). Activities: Founded the Portuguese Young Chemists Group, organized the 1st Portuguese Young Chemists Meeting (2007), and contributed to initiatives like CoHiTec 2008-2013. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, with a focus on biomaterials, bioprocesses, and tissue engineering. Teaching: Teaches courses in Bioentrepreneurship, Bioengineering Topics, and Advanced Biomaterials at the graduate level.
Dr Lee Yee Ying is a Senior Lecturer at the Malaysia School of Science, Monash University. She holds a PhD in Food Science and Technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia (2016), where her doctoral research focused on functional oil development via enzymatic interesterification of palm oils for obesity management. Her research interests include enzymatic/chemical modification of edible fats, functional lipid synthesis, in vivo health studies, and sustainable palm oil utilization. She teaches courses in Food Science and Functional Foods. Dr Lee has led multiple research projects, including biorefinery of microalgae and synthesis of medium-long chain triacylglycerols (MLCT). She has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with a focus on lipid chemistry, structured lipids, and food product development. Notable awards include the Best PhD Award (2016) and innovation awards for plant-based milk products (2024). Her work aligns with UN SDGs related to sustainable consumption and health. Recent research trends emphasize functional lipid applications in health management, emulsion stabilization using nanocellulose, and mitigation of harmful oil processing byproducts like 3-MCPDE and glycidol esters.
