Symposium on Chemical and Biological Engineering

Local: Room B003

Date: Monday, June 30^th, 2025 | 15h30

Engineering the Future: The role of PhDs in Europe’s Chemical Industry Transformation

In this presentation, José will go over how his academic background has shaped his career path and the importance of PhDs professionals in the future of the European Chemical Industry. The presentation will also explore how Bondalti is integrating academic talent into strategic R&D processes.

José Nogueira

ID Coordinator, Bondalti

Biography

José Nogueira is a PhD Chemical Engineer specializing in electrochemistry from FEUP, Uporto, with over 15 years of experience across industry and research institutions. Since 2021 at Bondalti, he is currently responsible for the R&D department and is part of the José de Mello Group’s innovation committee. He manages a multidisciplinary team and oversees technical and financial aspects of collaborative R&D initiatives. His responsibilities also include technological scouting, process analysis, and strategic innovation development.

Local: Room B003

Date: Monday, June 30^th, 2025 | 15h45

The Role of RAIZ Institute in Forestry and Pulp and Paper Industry

RAIZ – Forest and Paper Research Institute is a private non-profit organization, recognized as a Research and Technology Organization of the Portuguese Scientific and Technological System and as an Interface Center – Valorization and Technology Transfer Centre. It aims to optimize, from a cost/benefit point of view, the competitive advantages of the national and The Navigator Company forest industry, ensuring its sustainability. This presentation will highlight the work of the technological consulting team through real-world industrial case studies, showcasing solutions in the areas of pulp and paper processing, environmental performance, and energy efficiency, all aimed at optimizing operational performance.

Isabel Pinto

Technological Consulting, Raiz – Instituto de Investigação da Floresta e do Papel

Biography

Isabel graduated in Chemical Engineering (2010) and holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering (2015) from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. Between 2009 and 2014, she was involved in research activities at REQUIMTE (Rede de Química e Tecnologia). In 2015 she joined RAIZ, where she currently works on the technological consulting team, which supports projects from the industrial departments of The Navigator Company such as process (pulp and paper), environment, and energy. Her activities include process optimization, product improvement, and environmental impact mitigation, as well as forecasting future balances for new projects and equipment.
She has experience supervising students pursuing a Master’s degree within company environment, is co-author of 17 scientific articles published in international journals, and has participated in more than 10 national and international scientific conferences.

Local: Room B003

Date: Monday, June 30^th, 2025 | 15h55

Descarbonization – How to analyze hydrogen purity

Hydrogen plays a vital role in global decarbonization efforts, but its effectiveness depends on high purity levels. This work presents methods for analyzing hydrogen purity using Shimadzu gas chromatography (GC) systems. Key impurities such as O₂, N₂, CO, CH₄, and H₂O are detected in line with ISO 14687 standards. Shimadzu’s GC setups, featuring detectors like TCD, BID, offer sensitive, reliable analysis to support safe and efficient hydrogen use in clean energy applications.

José Manuel Macias

Chromatography Field Application Specialist, Izasa Scientific by Palex

Biography

José Manuel Macias holds degrees in Food Science and Technology, Chemistry, and a master’s in science and technology. He joined Izasa in 2007 and, since 2009, has been working as a Chromatography Field Application Specialist, gaining extensive experience in the gas chromatography market. In recent years, he has focused on decarbonization, supporting scientists, researchers, and industry leaders in achieving their goals by providing both standard and customized gas chromatography solutions that meet new regulations and international standards.

Local: Room B003

Date: Monday, June 30^th, 2025 | 16h10

Building Circularity with Sustainable Wood Materials

In this session, Sonae Arauco will present its strategic vision and key objectives in the field of sustainability, highlighting the role of wood-based panels as efficient and environmentally responsible solutions. The company will showcase its participation in the PRR Transform program and the EcoReFibre project, which promotes the circular use of wood fibres. The session will reflect how these initiatives support Sonae Arauco’s broader commitment to sustainable industrial transformation.

Maria Inês Ferreira da Mota

R&D Researcher, Sonae Arauco

Biography

Inês Mota has been working in the R&D department at Sonae Arauco since 2023, one of the world’s leading companies in wood-based solutions for the furniture, interior design, and construction sectors. She holds a degree in Biological Engineering from the University of Minho (2005) and completed her PhD at FEUP in 2017. Throughout her professional career, she has worked with organizations such as RAIZ / The Navigator Company and Catholic University / Amyris, where she participated in several research projects aimed at enhancing business competitiveness and promoting the circular economy. Currently, her work is focused on R&D projects that drive sustainability and innovation in wood-based products.

Local: Room B003

Date: Monday, June 30^th, 2025 | 16h20

Decarbonising with biofuels: our experience

The presentation covers PRIO’s biofuel initiatives, energy transition and sustainable solutions. It highlights PRIO’s integrated value chain, including biodiesel production, distribution and sales. The presentation emphasizes the importance of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, focusing on advanced biofuels like biodiesel and bioethanol. It also discusses PRIO’s key solutions, such as ECO Diesel and ZERO Diesel, which significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the presentation showcases the importance of open innovation and collaboration in the development of more sustainable energy solutions.

Cristina Correia

Director of Innovation and Sustainability, Prio

Biography

PhD in Chemical Engineering and currently serving as Director of Innovation and Sustainability. A seasoned leader with extensive experience in Research and Development, with a proven track record in the biofuels industry. Demonstrated expertise in Innovation Management and Bioenergy, with a strong background in driving sustainable technological solutions. Passionate about integrating sustainability into innovation strategies to accelerate the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Experienced in startup engagement, fostering collaborations that bridge cutting-edge research with scalable industrial impact.

Local: Room B003

Date: Tuesday, July 1^st, 2025 | 09h00

The Flight Path of a Scientist: From PhD Research to Global Hydrogen Solutions

The presentation explores the professional journey from academic research to industry innovation, highlighting how a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering served as a launchpad for a career in hydrogen technologies. The talk emphasizes how the core skills developed during a PhD – critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific rigor – can be effectively leveraged to drive innovation and sustainability in industry. It aims to inspire PhD students to recognize the versatility and impact of their training beyond academia.

Helder Nunes

Product Development Engineer, Embraer Portugal

Biography

Helder Nunes holds a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, with over 10 years of experience in hydrogen technologies across academic and industrial settings. From 2014 to 2023, worked as a research fellow at CEFT–FEUP, focusing on hydrogen generation and storage solutions. In 2023, joined UH2 as a process engineer, contributing to the development of green hydrogen plants worldwide. Since 2024, he has been part of Embraer’s product development team, working on hydrogen-powered propulsion systems for zero-emission aviation. His work bridges scientific research and industrial application, with a strong focus on sustainable innovation and the scalability of hydrogen technologies.

Local: Room B003

Date: Tuesday, July 1^st, 2025 | 09h10

Intelligent Water Management in the Textile and Clothing Industry

This talk will be dedicated to the presentation of GIATEX project, with focus on the main goals and achieved results. The GIATEX project (Intelligent Water Management in the Textile and Clothing Industry) aims at optimising water use within textile finishing processes, known for their intensive water and chemicals usage. Key goals include reducing water consumption across these processes by promoting the use of less intensive finishing technologies, the adoption of wastewater treatment technologies for water recycling and reuse, and the implementation of real-time monitoring systems to increase operational efficiency.

Ana Luísa Gonçalves

R&D Researcher, CITEVE

Biography

Ana L. Gonçalves is a researcher in the Technology and Engineering Department at CITEVE. She has a Master Degree in Biological Engineering and a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering. Ana is actively working on different R&D projects in cross-cutting areas, such as circular economy, process sustainability and environmental engineering applied to the textile sector. Ana is the author of 36 papers in international journals (h-index=26), 29 book chapters and presented her work in over 30 international conferences, and her work was awarded with the L’Oréal Medal of Honor for Women in Science 2019.

Local: Room B003

Date: Tuesday, July 1^st, 2025 | 09h25

Photocatalytic reduction of liquid phase CO₂ on 2D/3D MXene-ZnO/Cu₂O semiconductors assisted by ionic liquids

Photocatalysis offers a promising strategy for mitigating carbon emissions at their source by facilitating the conversion of CO_₂ into renewable energy fuels. While most current research emphasizes CO_₂ reduction under ambient temperature and pressure using solar radiation, this study investigates the photocatalytic conversion of liquid-phase CO_₂ at its equilibrium pressure of 62 bar at room temperature using water as a reductant. To this end, a novel 2D/3D heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized, consisting of MXene nanosheets integrated with ZnO/Cu_₂O nanoparticles. This composite structure enhances light absorption and promotes efficient charge separation. The photocatalytic mechanism was systematically studied both in the absence and presence of an ionic liquid, specifically 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium aminoacetate. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed in a system containing both water and the ionic liquid, achieving impressive yields of 137 mmol·h⁻¹·g⁻¹ for carbon monoxide and 30 mmol·h⁻¹·g⁻¹ for methane.

Giovanni Palmisano

Professor and Deputy Director of Research and Innovation Center on CO₂ and Hydrogen (RICH), Khalifa University

Biography

Giovanni Palmisano is a Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, where he also serves as Deputy Director of the Research and Innovation Center on CO_₂ and Hydrogen (RICH). His research focuses on photo- and electro-catalysis for applications in energy, materials functionalization, water treatment, and environmental protection, supported by both internal and external funding. He has received the ADEK Award for Research Excellence and the Faculty Research Excellence Award from Khalifa University. He is an Executive Editor of the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (Elsevier). Professor Palmisano is listed among the world’s top 3% scientists by the Stanford University ranking and is a member of the National Academy of Scientists of the United Arab Emirates.

Local: Room B003

Date: Tuesday, July 1^st, 2025 | 09h35

Fourier 80: Enabling Advanced Research Possibilities with Benchtop NMR

The presentation will highlight the capabilities, applications and versatility of the Bruker Fourier 80 benchtop NMR spectrometer. Despite its smaller size and simplified operation, the Fourier 80 retains essential features commonly found in high-field instruments, making advanced NMR techniques accessible and efficient.

Justinas Sakas

Application Scientist, FT-NMR Benchtop, Bruker BioSpin

Biography

Dr Justinas Sakas obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh in 2024, having worked on NMR and MS method development for the analysis of complex mixtures. He joined Bruker in Ettlingen, Germany later that year as a Benchtop NMR Application Scientist and works on advancing the methods and capabilities of the Fourier 80.

Local: Room B003

Date: Tuesday, July 1^st, 2025 | 09h50

Expanding Horizons, Building Pathways: Empowering Careers through Networking and Collaboration with the Non-Academic Sector

This session explores how research careers can be strengthened and diversified through structured collaboration between academic and non-academic sectors. It highlights opportunities offered by national and European programmes that promote mobility, networking, and cross-sectoral engagement—critical elements in shaping competitive, resilient, and socially impactful research careers. Special attention will be given to initiatives launched or supported by FCT that facilitate career development at the intersection of academia, industry, government, and civil society. These include mobility grants (e.g. Marie Curie Actions, FCT-Mobility), non-academic-linked fellowships, and strategic funding for secondments and collaborative projects. The session also addresses how participation in these schemes enables researchers—particularly doctoral candidates and postdoctoral fellows—to expand their professional networks, acquire transferable skills, and increase employability across sectors. Through discussion of these programmes and of emerging trends, the session invites participants to consider how early engagement with mobility actions and non-academic partners can enhance research relevance and impact, innovation potential, and long-term career prospects.

Bruno Béu

Advisor to the Board of Directors, FCT

Biography

Bruno Béu holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Lisbon. His academic work focused on philosophy of language, literature, aesthetics and linguistics, and he has taught in several of these fields at the School of Arts and Humanities of the University of Lisbon. He was the principal investigator of an interdisciplinary research line in comparative studies, developed in collaboration with national institutions, and is the author or editor of two books and numerous articles and book chapters.
He has held various roles in science and research policy, including senior scientific.

Rui Munhá

Science Officer, FCT

Biography

Rui Munhá has been a Science Officer in the Department of International Relations of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) since 2014. He is currently Co-Coordinator of the National Contact Points of the European Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe, and he also represents FCT and Portugal in different governing bodies in the context of the European Union or International Organisations. Rui Munhá obtained a PhD in Chemistry.