MOLECULAR TEAM
I hold a master degree as well as an engineering degree in chemistry from the National graduate school of chemistry of Rennes, both specialized in chemical engineering and environment.
The project aims to develop a process using high-pressure, high-temperature water and a catalyst to degrade persistent pollutants into smaller and more biodegradable compounds that can be removed during conventional water treatment.
My hope for this project is to help preventing the contamination of our water resources by pollutants we expel in used water, and make it with the lower economical and environmental drawback by using cleaner catalyst.
I look forward to be able to work on my own scientific project and learn how to work as a researcher. On a more personal side, I see the PhD as a great opportunity to visit and learn more about different countries and meet a lot of different people.
I like chemistry because there are so many molecules with their own properties, and each can help achieve a different objective depending on how you use them. And it’s for the same reason that I’m a huge fan of cooking. I love learning about each ingredient, the different ways to use them, and the techniques that bring out their best taste and texture. For me, cooking is the best kind of chemistry it combines everything that’s fascinating about science, but you can actually eat your experiment afterward (well, most of the time…).
I graduated in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Facultad Regional Córdoba, Argentina.
During my studies, I completed a three-year research scholarship focused on agro-industrial waste valorization. I also gained industrial experience in the automotive (Renault), food (vegetable oil and animal fat refinery), and metallurgical (Tenaris) sectors.
My research will focus on turning contaminated wood waste into useful products. I aim to develop methods that could selectively break down lignocellulosic materials and convert the resulting compounds into valuable chemicals through coupling and hydrodeoxygenation reactions.
I hope to gain technical knowledge in catalysis and materials synthesis. I am also interested in contributing to the development of industrial processes that are more environmentally friendly, efficient, and innovative, helping both science and society.
I hope to gain technical knowledge in catalysis and materials synthesis. I am also interested in contributing to the development of industrial processes that are more environmentally friendly, efficient, and innovative, helping both science and society.
I really enjoy discovering new music and can spend hours listening to different genres. Playing the guitar is also one of my favorite ways to disconnect.
I hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Madras, where I specialized in catalysis and waste valorization. I have gained experience in hydrothermal liquefaction, pyrolysis, catalytic upgrading, and CO₂ hydrogenation, supported by peer-reviewed publications. This experience has strengthened my experimental and analytical skills and has motivated me to pursue research in kinetics and advanced modelling within UPCYCLE.
My research focuses on understanding how wet biogenic waste can be converted into valuable products under subcritical water conditions. By combining experimental work with detailed modeling, I aim to develop kinetics and characterization models that predict how the composition of the feedstock and operating conditions affect the quality and performance of the resulting products.
I aim to develop mechanistic models and conduct detailed kinetic analyses to understand the pathways of HTL/HTC. This research will enhance our ability to predict process behavior and product quality, support the scaling up of operations, improve efficiency, and promote the industrial adoption of sustainable technologies for converting complex waste streams into valuable products.
I am eager to collaborate with international research experts and gain hands-on experience with advanced modelling tools that translate laboratory insights into detailed chemistry models. I also look forward to receiving interdisciplinary training and engaging with industry professionals to broaden my perspective and contribute to scalable solutions for a circular economy.
A fun fact about me is that I enjoy staying physically active through sports and outdoor adventure activities. In my free time, I love creating oil pastel drawings and paintings, as well as photographing landscapes and cultural moments during my travels. I’m always excited to explore new places, and trying unique experiences continually inspires my creativity.
Jiaxin Ren
I hold a Master’s degree in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), where I specialized in chemical kinetic modeling. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Energy and Power Engineering with GPA 3.88/4.0 from HUST.
In my research I aim to develop chemical kinetic models for biogenic waste pyrolysis and gasification guided by and validat them through lab-scale information and literature, especially for the catalytic effects of metal ion for the waste pyrolysis, like sodium, potassium ion. Furthermore, the model can be used to improve the reactors.
I hope to enhance my experimental skills and mathematical modeling capabilities. Second, I hope to participate in the industrial applications of biomass pyrolysis, such as the design and optimization of reactors. Finally, I look forward to more opportunities to communicate and learn from professors and experts.
I love trying new sports, such as swimming. Swimming was a big challenge for me. Growing up inland, I’d never learned it. When I learned it in college, I choked on water often and felt nervous, but I kept practicing and gradually mastered some skills. Now I can swim smoothly, and I’ve also tried other sports, like ping pong and tennis!
I obtained an MSc in Chemical Engineering (EMJM SBBE) with Special Distinction (5.5/5.5), awarded jointly by PWr (Poland), UCLM (Spain), and LUT (Finland). My research experience covers method development/validation for organic fertilizer contaminants, biochar production from agricultural residues, integrated wastewater treatment, and lignocellulosic biomass fractionation using deep eutectic solvents.
My research will focus on understanding how feedstock contaminants affect the kinetics of thermochemical processes (pyrolysis, gasification, HTC/HTL). I aim to generate data for kinetic model development, ultimately contributing to cleaner and more efficient waste conversion technologies. Tracking contaminant fate will inform further product processing and sustainable resource recovery.
Scientifically, this work will improve understanding of how contaminants affect the processing of biogenic wastes during thermochemical treatments, hence influencing product quality and their potential applications. Its societal and environmental implications include supporting sustainable waste management, promoting circular economy principles, and enabling cleaner, safer resource recovery.
I aim to expand my expertise and contribute to cutting-edge research, specifically developing practical circular economy solutions. I am eager to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, and gain hands-on experience translating research into sustainable, real-world industrial applications.
I enjoy listening to music and singing along. In my free time, I like watching TV series, movies, and K-dramas. I also love reading fictional books, cooking, and creative hobbies such as cross-stitching, diamond painting, and paint-by-numbers.