MEET THE TEACHERS
INTERNATIONAL e-LEARNING COURSE
Circular Bioeconomy: wood and food value chain partnerships
In the frame of the FORCE-project (Cities Cooperating for Circular Economy)
Elisabetta Arato
PhD in Chemical Engineering at University of Genova
Holds her master degree and her PhD in Chemical Engineering at University of Genova. She is a full time full Professor sector 09/D2 at the Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department (DICCA) at the Polytechnic School at University of Genova. Reference person for ERASMUS student mobility among different European Universities. Since 2013, member of the Teaching Board of the Doctoral School in Sustainable Energy and Technologies SET of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Free University of Bolzano, Italy. Research activity has been conducted in two principal fields: experimental-interpretive (laboratory research, including the development of physical simulation models, testing, experimental programming, analysis and correlation of experimental data) and numerical simulation of systems (study of mathematical models for the simulation of traditional chemical engineering processes and planning and development of relatively new processes through the correct prediction of the physical equilibrium and transport properties).
Athanassia Athanassiou
PhD in Physics, Laser Photonics and Non-Linear Optics Group, University of Salford, Manchester, UK
Graduated in 1996 in Physics at the University of Ioannina, Greece. In 1997 she got the Master of Science in Laser Photonics and Modern Optics from the University of Manchester, Laser Photonics Group, Manchester, UK. In 2000 she became Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Salford, Laser Photonics and Non-Linear Optics Group, Manchester, UK. From January 2011 she became coordinator of the Smart Materials Platform at the Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at University of Lecce, Italy. In September 2012 she moved to the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Genova with all the group of Smart Materials and since September 2014 has an appointment as Tenured Senior Researcher, responsible for this group.
Guido Bonello
Ph.D. in Marine Sciences on sustainable aquaculture
Born on 14/06/1989 in Genoa (Italy), he graduated in Environmental Sciences (BSc.) and Marine Sciences (M.Sc.), concluding its formation with a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences on sustainable aquaculture (oyster farming) and its relationships with the marine environment. In 2017, he was one of the participants at the “Advanced Training School in Sustainable Blue Growth” at the National Institute of Oceanography and Geophysics (OGS) in Trieste. Founding member of the innovative StartUP ZoEA S.r.l., under which he developed and applied methods for the integration of circular economy in the Ligurian inland, especially regarding aquaculture and waste management. During this period, he acquired the qualification as a Team Leader for the implementation of Water Safety Plans (WSP) held at ISS (Health Superior Institute) in Rome. He collaborates with different public institutions as the National Antarctic Museum and Genova University in different research and development fields.
Massimo Bregola
Master in Science with Laude in Chemistry at the University of Ferrara
He got a Master in Science with Laude in Chemistry at the University of Ferrara, Italy in 1991 and he owns an Executive Master in Business Administration and an Executive Master in Technology and Innovation Management both at the Bologna Business School. He is a Certified Sustainability Manager (Federmanager, Rina, CCM-473/19). His experience spans between R&D and Commercial functions starting as R&D coordinator of Eridania Béghin-Say, the Agro-Industrial branch of Montedison Group, in Belgium in the early 90s, and moving to Sales roles within Cargill organization in 2002 where he became European Sales Manager Bio-Industry in 2008. He went back to R&D on 2012, as R&D Manager Bio Industrial Europe and then he covered the role of Business Development Manager Europe. Since June 2018, he is the Global Application Lead for an Industrial Application in the newly formed Cargill Bioindustrial BU. He was Cargill’s delegate for the Biobased Industry Consortium (BIC, 2014-2017) and for the European Starch Association (Starch Europe, 2010-2013). He is also member of Technical-Scientific Committee of the Italian Cluster of Green Chemistry (SPRING, 2018-2020). Recently, he accepted the role of Scientific Co-Ordinator (SCO) of the H2020-BBI-JTI-2017-R5 project called “SusBind”.
Antonio Comite
PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering at Genoa University
He has graduated in Industrial Chemistry and he earned his PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering at Genoa University. He is associate professor of Industrial Chemistry at the University of Genova where he holds courses on Principles of Industrial Chemistry, Chemistry and technology of catalysis and Foundations of chemical technologies in industry and environment.He has awarded a Marie Curie research fellowship at “GKSS- Forschungszentrum Geesthacht”(Germany). He is the coordinator of the “membrane&membrane” research group and manages the “Laboratory of Electron Microscopy” at the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry. His research activity focuses science and technology of membranes, wastewater treatments, heterogeneous catalysis, membrane reactors and fuel cells. Recently he is addressing the conversion of wastes (e.g. plastics, biomasses, wastewater) into valuable chemicals following the Circular Economy approach. He has co-authored more than 60 papers in international journals and has several patent applications. He has collaborated in several EU projects and as a consultant for several industries.
Giancarlo Dondo
Professor in Industrial Microbiology, at University of Genova and Laboratory Manager of Active Cells srl
Graduated in 1978 in Biology at University of Genova. Currently, he is Professor in Industrial Microbiology, at University of Genova and Laboratory Manager of Active Cells srl (www.activecells.it).
He is expert in the process development of fermentations, in the selection of microorganism and the optimization techniques of performance of microbial strains with multifactorial experiments and statistical analysis for the prediction of enzymes and chemicals. He has a specific experience in methanobacteria for biogas production and biotransformations.
Fabio Fava
PhD in Applied Microbiology from the Institute of Chemical Technology of the University of Prague
He has graduated cum laude in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies at the Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Italy, and he earned his PhD in Applied Microbiology from the Institute of Chemical Technology of the University of Prague, Czech Republic. He is Full Professor of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology at the School of Engineering of the Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna since 2005. He is currently the Deputy Rector of the University of Bologna for Industrial Research, Territorial cooperation and Innovation. He is actively working in the fields of environmental and industrial biotechnology and of the Circular Bioeconomy in the frame of a number of national projects (funded by Italian ministries, Regions and companies) and European collaborative projects.
Francesca Forno
PhD in Politics at University of Strathclyde, UK
Francesca Forno. She holds her master degree in Sociology at University of Urbino, Italy and her PhD in Politics at University of Strathclyde, UK. She is associate Professor of Sociology at the Department of Sociology and Social Research of the University of Trento, Italy. Her interests include sustainable consumption and political consumerism. A special focus in these areas is on the consequences of the spread of market-based forms of action for citizens’ participation and mobilisation. She has published papers on civic participation and social movements, conducting research on political consumerism, collaborative consumption, grassroots initiatives on social eco-innovation and alternative food networks. Her work has appeared in journals including the Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the Journal of Consumer Culture, the International Journal of Consumer Studies, South European Politics and Society and the British Food Journal, as well as in collections of essays published by Oxford University Press, Wiley-Blackwell and Zed Books.
Athanasios Katsogiannis
PhD in Environmental Analytical Chemistry at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Dr Athanasios Katsogiannis. He holds a degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Environmental Analytical Chemistry at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and has 18 years of professional experience gained through well-known European Institutions, including the Lancaster University and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU). Role and years of experience in the European Commission: officer at the Commission since 2013. Previously: Ispra Site Maintenance Sector Head, and Researcher in the field of air and environmental pollution. Current main job: Ispra Site Modernization Officer.
Michele Libralato
Technical director and R&D manager at Pal srl
Michele Libralato. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering. He is technical director and R&D manager at Pal srl, part of the IMAL-PAL group, that is renowned worldwide for its long experience in wood particle preparation, gluing and resination, on-line quality controls, process controls, board handling and in particular for its continual innovation. He is in charge of the management of projects of new machinery and concept plants for the wood-based panel industry, recycling, energy production from biomass, from conception to industrialization and production: machines type air selectors, fluid bed, metal sorting, optical sorting, vibrating, oscillating and roller screens, crushers, mills, extractors. He is in charge of the management of laboratory activities for: test of machinery; tests on new prototypes; proposals of dedicated solutions to the customers starting from their raw material.
Giovanni Manca
Chemical Engineering at Polytechnic of Milan
Graduated in Chemical Engineering at Polytechnic of Milan, Italy. From 2003 he gained experience on management and design of waste treatment processes. He currently works at IREN AMBIENTE multiutility. For this company, he managed several business, in particular as technical project manager of urban and industrial waste collection, project manager involved in waste treatment plants (waste to energy plant, mechanical and biological treatment plant, biowaste treatment plant with production of energy and biomethane, plant for the selection of dry waste) and operations manager for waste treatment plants.
He teaches “Environmental – Waste Treatment Plant” at Università di Reggio Emilia and Modena, Italy.
Stefania Manca
Graduated in Natural Sciences with a master's degree in GIS designer for the Territory and the Environment
Stefania Manca. Graduated in Natural Sciences with a master's degree in GIS designer for the Territory and the Environment. She currently works in the Innovation, Quality and Economic Development Department of Genova Municipality. She is Resilience Manager of Genova Municipality, responsible for Urban Resilience Strategies of the Municipality, co-editor of the Lighthouse – Genoa’s Resilience Strategy and project co-leader of the forthcoming Action Plan consistent with the three main trends of global change (climatic, demographic, technological/digital). She is Technical Coordinator of the Partnership on Adaptation to Climate Change promoted by the European Commission with the Pact of Amsterdam – Urban Agenda for the EU. For the Genova Municipality, she was responsible for the management, coordination and monitoring of the EU projects related also to the Circular and the Bio-economy.
Ilaria Marzoli
Master's degree in Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
Graduated in Industrial Chemistry with a master's degree in Environmental Monitoring and Analysis. In AMIU (www.amiu.genova.it), she worked for 10 years in communication and environmental education projects; from 2013 to 2018 she designed and developed financed and European projects. From 2019 she is part of the team that manages AMIU waste disposal facilities.
Roberta Massa
Graduated in Chemical Engineering
Ing. Roberta Massa. Graduated in Chemical Engineering in 1999. She works as an Engineer at Ansaldo Energia since 1999. In parallel, she deals with social innovation, sustainable development, food policy and circular economy since 2011, when she started to face the Non Profit Sector, proposing a project to recover and redistribute food surpluses and specializing through Post Graduate Course in EU Project Design. Since 2017 she is working on Ricibo Project being in charge of project design, fundraising, integrated impact assessment and coordination. RICIBO Network, in collaboration with the Municipality of Genoa, is an urban network project and a SMART platform for the recovery and redistribution of food surpluses. The project was co-financed by Regione Liguria in 2018 and financed by Compagnia San Paolo Fundation and Carige Fundation for the two years period 2018/2019, confirmed for the second period 2020/2021.
Cristina Moliner
PhD by Polytechnic University of Valencia and University of Genova
Cristina Moliner. Graduated in Chemical Engineer at the Polytechnic University of Valencia , Spain. She co-tutored PhD by Polytechnic University of Valencia and University of Genova in 2016. She has been a temporary research for 4 years and now she is research with fixed-term contract at the Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department (DICCA), the Polytechnic School at University of Genova. Since 2018, she teaches Multiscale Analysis and Computer Simulation of Chemical Processes at University of Genova. Her research interests are mainly in environmental technologies, thermo-chemical processes, biomass, renewable energies, simulation tools and multiscale modelling.
Anne-Marie Morrissey
Bachelor and PHD in Engineering (Trinity College, Dublin), Masters in Human Resource Management (University of Kingston, London).
Anne-Marie Morrissey. Bachelor and PHD in Engineering (Trinity College, Dublin), Masters in Human Resource Management (University of Kingston, London). Role and experience at the European Commission: functionnaire at the Commission since July 1997, scientific Project Officer – DG RTD, Bruxelles. Head of sector - HR and training, Ispra, circular economy co-ordinator since 2019, Ispra. Current main job: Deputy Head of Logistics Unit, Ispra.
Alessandro Pauletto
WASTE officer and environmental officer at JRC Ispra
Role and years of experience in the European Commission: European Commission employee since February 2011. Financial Agent and Procurement Officer from February 2011 to December 2015. Administrative Assistant since January 2016. Current main job: WASTE officer and environmental officer at JRC Ispra.
Nicoletta Piersantelli
Architect, landscape architect and process facilitator
Architect, landscape architect and process facilitator. After graduating in Architecture and attending a Master in environmental community law in Padova, Italy, in 2020 she specialized in Genova in Landscape Architecture. After 10 years of professional activity in Genova, she moved to Austria. She worked in Austria and Liechtenstein for 10 years collaborating with public bodies, NGOs, associations and professionals in the field of participated planning of municipal masterplans, public spaces and local development projects focusing on the design and facilitation of processes, also in the context of European projects. Back in Italy in 2016, she deals with participatory processes and stakeholder engagement as a consultant for public administrations, multi-utility companies, associations and non-profit cooperatives also within European projects.
Ilaria Re
MSc in Humanities studies and Master in Economics and Project Management
Ilaria Re. MSc in Humanities studies and Master in Economics and Project Management, she is the EU project Office Director at Consorzio Italbiotec (Milan, Italy www.italbiotec.it). She is consultant for business development with over ten years’ experience in public fundraising in the field of research, innovation and technology transfer, grant management and bid writing. Project leader and a former member of the board of director at Lombardy Green Chemistry Association – LGCA (Milan, www.chimicaverdelombardia.it), currently, she is the coordinator of the Bioeconomy Pilot of the Vanguard Initiative (www.s3vanguardinitiative.eu) and responsible for interregional partnerships promotion on bio-based and circular bioeconomy topics.
Hans Christian Christiansen
Master's degree in Experimental Biology, Business Diploma in Organisation
Mr. Hans Christian Christiansen has a position as senior advisor within the Technical and Environmental Administration, City of Copenhagen. He has worked for the city since year 2000, within the areas of environmental protection, waste management, mobility projects, international cooperation and project management.
Mr. Christiansen has a master degree in biology and a Business Diploma within Organisation.
Mr. Christiansen has recently been in major European mobility projects, concerning urban space and air pollution.
Anne-Mette Lysemose Bendsen
Master's degree in Environmental Planning
Mrs. Anne-Mette Lysemose Bendsen has a position as specialist advisor within the Technical and Environmental Administration, City of Copenhagen. She has worked within the area of waste management for more than 20 years and for the City of Copenhagen since 2018.
Mrs. Bendsen has a master’s degree in Environmental Planning.
Mrs Bendsen has recently been involved in the development of waste solutions in new construction and renovation and in projects to promote recycling, recycling and the circular economy.