Processes Webinar | Applied Biocatalysis: Pathways to Sustainability and Decarbonization
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. Kírian Bonet-Ragel
Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain;
Kírian Bonet-Ragel is a postdoctoral researcher at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), working in the field of biocatalysis and enzyme science. He holds a degree in Biotechnology from the University of Girona and completed his PhD at UAB. His research focuses on the development of enzyme-based catalytic systems, including immobilized enzymes and multienzymatic cascades, to enable more sustainable and efficient chemical processes. His work spans enzyme engineering, bioprocess development, and applications in areas such as green chemistry, CO₂ valorization, and industrial biotechnology.
Prof. Dr. Claudia Bernal
Chemistry Department. Universidad de La Serena, Chile;
Claudia Bernal is a researcher and professor in the Department of Chemistry at University of La Serena (Chile). Her work focuses on biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, and the development of sustainable catalytic systems for chemical synthesis. Her research has focused on the use of enzymes for non-conventional reactions, including the enzymatic production of hexaric acids, and, more recently, the application of decarboxylases as catalytic tools for sustainable chemical transformations. She has experience in enzyme immobilization, protein engineering, and the design of hybrid catalytic systems that integrate biological and chemical approaches. Her current research explores strategies to enhance enzyme stability, activity, and equilibrium control, with applications in green chemistry and the synthesis of bio-based compounds.
Dr. Francesca Demichelis
Department of Applied Science and Technology (DiSAT), Politecnico di Torino, Italy;
Francesca Demichelis is a researcher and assistant professor at the Politecnico di Torino in the Chemical Engineering department. She is an environmental engineer with a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Her research focus includes biochemical and thermochemical processes for converting organic waste into high-added-value products and bio-energies. Specifically, her research on biochemical processes involves anaerobic digestion optimization, focusing upstream of the biomass and downstream of biogas, while her research on thermochemical processes uses pyrolysis to produce biochar, bio-oil, and syngas. In her work, Francesca explores technical feasibility through techno-environmental assessment and examines environmental impacts through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Sponsors and Partners
Organizer
In this section, you will find the recordings of this webinar to watch, re-watch and share with your colleagues!
The “Applied Biocatalysis: Pathways to Sustainability and Decarbonization” webinar has provided a comprehensive insight into the pillars of a sustainable chemical industry. Through these discussions, we have mapped out a clear trajectory, from Dr. Kírian Bonet-Ragel’s work on the enzymatic synthesis of bioplastics, to Dr. Claudia Bernal’s insights on utilizing CO2 for chemical precursors, and finally to Dr. Francesca Demichelis’s vision for systemic decarbonization through biomass. These presentations collectively demonstrate that applied biocatalysis is far more than a laboratory concept—it is the driving force behind a circular, bio-based future.
"Advanced Catalytic Approaches for Sustainable Biofuel Production"
Guest Editor: Dr. Oyetola Ogunkunle
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 August 2026