Silvia Morales de la Rosa | biomass valorization | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Silvia Morales de la Rosa | biomass valorization | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Silvia Morales de la Rosa, Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica – CSIC, Spain

Silvia Morales de la Rosa 🎓🧪 is a dedicated chemist and researcher at the Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica (CSIC) in Spain 🇪🇸. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Madrid Autonomous University (2015) and over 15 years of experience, her expertise lies in biomass valorization, heterogeneous catalysis, and biofuels 🌿⚗️. Silvia leads European projects like HE FUELGAE and FUELPHORIA 🌍💡, has authored 24 scientific papers 📚, and holds 3 patents. Passionate about sustainable energy and circular economy 🔄🌱, she mentors Ph.D. students and collaborates internationally to drive innovation in renewable fuel technologies 🚀.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

Suitability Summary

Key Strengths

  • Research Excellence: With 24 peer-reviewed publications and 3 patents, Silvia has made impactful contributions to biomass valorization and catalysis.

  • Leadership in European Projects: As PI and Coordinator of multimillion-euro Horizon Europe projects (HE FUELPHORIA – €11M and HE FUELGAE – €5M), she has demonstrated strategic and technical leadership at the European level.

  • Innovative Techniques: Her work spans heterogeneous catalysis, MOFs, tandem catalysis, and flow systems for converting biomass to high-value chemicals like HMF, furfural, and ethanol.

  • Academic Mentorship: She actively mentors Ph.D. and MSc students, shaping the next generation of chemists with excellence in both academic and applied research.

  • Resilience & Dedication: Overcame medical challenges (including cancer treatments) while maintaining a productive and influential research career.

Education and Experience 

  • 🎓 Education:

    • 🎓 PhD in Chemistry – Madrid Autonomous University, Spain (2015)

    • 🎓 Graduate in Chemical Sciences – Valladolid University, Spain (2001)

    💼 Experience:

    • 🧪 Researcher at CSIC’s ICP (2008–Present)

    • 🧪 R&D roles in ANALIZAGUA S.L., AQM Laboratorios, and Ministry of Industry projects (2004–2008)

    • 🔬 Fellowship on chemical research with Repsol & Valladolid University (2001–2003)

    • 🤕 Medical interruptions due to cancer treatment (2004, 2012, 2016–2017)

Professional Development 

Silvia has continuously enhanced her professional development through hands-on industrial research collaborations 🔬🏭, specialization fellowships, and leadership in high-level European projects 🌍📊. She has led project writing, technical-economic planning, and partner engagement for Horizon Europe proposals 📑🤝. Her role as Track Co-Lead at the upcoming NAM29 conference 🧑‍🔬🌎 underscores her active participation in international scientific forums. She mentors Ph.D. candidates and supervises academic theses 📘👩‍🎓, contributing to the academic and practical growth of upcoming scientists. Her work merges lab research with scalable industrial applications, bridging the gap between discovery and deployment ⚗️⚙️.

Research Focus 

Silvia’s research is centered on sustainable energy and green chemistry 🌱⚗️. Her work targets biomass valorization, microalgae processing, and the production of advanced biofuels and e-fuels 🔬🌿. She develops heterogeneous catalytic systems for hydrotreatment, hydrogenation, and selective oxidation processes 🔥🧪. Her innovations aim to convert waste biomass into valuable bio-products under mild, eco-friendly conditions ♻️. With significant achievements like pilot plant construction and patents, Silvia’s focus lies at the intersection of renewable energy, circular economy, and industrial catalysis 🚀🏭. Her projects aim to accelerate the transition toward sustainable fuel alternatives and reduced carbon emissions 🌍💧.

Awards and Honors 

  • 🏆 Magna “Cum Laude” Ph.D. distinction – Madrid Autonomous University

  • 🏅 Track Co-Lead – Biomass & Waste Valorization, NAM29 Conference (2025)

  • 📘 Honors – MSc Thesis Supervision (Marta Lara Serrano, UNED, 2018)

  • 🎖️ PI of CSIC in €11M HE FUELPHORIA project

  • 🌍 Coordinator of €5M Horizon Europe HE FUELGAE project

  • 🧪 Supervised multiple MSc & Ph.D. theses with academic excellence ratings

Publication Top Notes:

1. Lara-Serrano, M.; Morales-delaRosa, S. (AC); Campos-Martín, J.M.; Romero, I.; Castro, E.; Oliva, J. M.; Manzanares, P. (2024)

Title: OrganoCat fractionation of vine shoots for coproduction of bioethanol, furfural, and lignin
Journal: Fuel
Status: Manuscript Under Review

🔍 Summary:
This study explores the OrganoCat process for fractionating vine shoots into three value-added products: bioethanol, furfural, and lignin. The method combines organic acid catalysis and biphasic extraction to enhance product yields. The paper demonstrates a sustainable approach to biomass valorization with significant potential for biorefinery integration.

2. Sboiu, D. M.; Márquez-Medina, M.D.; Lara-Serrano, M.; Campos-Martin, J.M.; Morales-delaRosa, S. (AC) (2024)

Title: Catalytic conversion into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural by heterogeneous sulfonic acid catalysis in a flowing acetone-water system
Journal: Fuel
Status: Manuscript in Press

🔍 Summary:
This paper presents a continuous-flow system using heterogeneous sulfonic acid catalysts to convert sugars into HMF and furfural, key bio-based platform chemicals. The use of an acetone-water solvent system significantly enhances selectivity and stability. The findings support advances in flow chemistry for biomass-derived chemicals.

3. Cardoza, D.; Contreras, M. Mar; Lara-Serrano, M.; Morales-delaRosa, S.; Campos-Martín, J.M.; Romero, I. (AC); Castro, E. (2024)

Title: Sustainable vine shoots-to-ethanol valorisation by a sequential acid/organosolv pretreatment
Journal: Process Safety and Environmental Protection
Volume: 183
Date: March 2024
Pages: 1059–1070
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.01.063

🔍 Summary:
This study proposes a two-step pretreatment (acid followed by organosolv) to efficiently convert vine shoot biomass into ethanol. The process enhances hemicellulose and lignin removal, improving cellulose accessibility. Results contribute to low-impact, high-efficiency bioethanol production strategies.

4. Lara-Serrano, M.; Sboiu, D. M.; Morales-delaRosa, S. (AC); Campos-Martin J.M. (AC) (2023)

Title: Selective Fragmentation of Lignocellulosic Biomass with ZnCl₂·4H₂O Using a Dissolution/Precipitation Method
Journal: Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
Volume: 13, Issue 5
Article Number: 2953
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app13052953
Citations: 2
Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): 1.30

🔍 Summary:
The article presents a novel ZnCl₂·4H₂O-based strategy for selectively fragmenting lignocellulosic biomass. Using a dissolution/precipitation process, it facilitates the isolation of key biomass components under mild conditions. This offers a new pathway for biomass deconstruction in green chemistry applications.

5. Lara-Serrano, M.; Morales-delaRosa, S.; Campos-Martin, J.M. (AC); Abdelkader-Fernández, V.K.; Cunha-Silva, L.; Balula, S.S. (2022)

Title: One-Pot Conversion of Glucose into 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural using MOFs and Brønsted-Acid Tandem Catalysts
Journal: Advanced Sustainable Systems
Volume: 6, Issue 5
Article Number: 2100444
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202100444
Back Cover Highlight: Cover link
Citations: 10
FWCI: 1.28

Conclusion:

Dr. Silvia Morales de la Rosa represents the ideal profile of a Best Researcher Award recipient: a scientist whose work not only advances theoretical understanding but also provides practical, scalable solutions to global sustainability challenges. Her innovative methodologies, strong leadership, and commitment to mentoring make her an outstanding figure in renewable fuel technologies and circular economy research.

Yanzhao Dong  | catalyst amplification | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yanzhao Dong  | catalyst amplification | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yanzhao Dong , Associate Professor at Shihezi University,China

 

Dr. Yanzhao Dong 🎓 is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University 🏫. He earned his Doctor of Engineering degree from Tianjin University 🏛️ and completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Xinhecheng Co., Ltd. 🧪. With extensive experience in catalyst amplification and project engineering ⚗️🔧, his research centers on catalyst material design and heterogeneous catalyst applications 🔬. As a vital member of various national R&D initiatives, including the “973” and “863” Programs 🇨🇳, he has published 30 SCI papers 📚 and holds 8 patents globally 📄🌏.

    Professional Profile:

  Scopus

🔹 Education and Experience:

  • 🎓 Ph.D. in Engineering – Tianjin University

  • 🔬 Postdoctoral Research – Joint Postdoctoral Workstation of Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Xinhecheng Co., Ltd.

  • 🧑‍🏫 Associate Professor – Department of Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University

  • ⚗️ Project & Catalyst Engineering Experience – 2 years of practical R&D involvement

  • 🇨🇳 Participation in National Projects – Key member in “973” and “863” research programs

🔹 Professional Development:

Dr. Dong has steadily advanced his academic and research career through a combination of rigorous study and practical research experience 📈📖. His time in postdoctoral research significantly enhanced his expertise in catalyst scale-up and industrial application 🔍🏭. Actively involved in multiple national-level research projects, he has contributed to pioneering studies in catalysis and materials development 🧪🧬. His work is marked by a strong integration of theoretical design and real-world application 🧠🔧. As a result, he has gained recognition for his scientific output, publishing 30 SCI-indexed articles 📘 and securing 8 patents, including international PCT applications 🌐📑.

🔹 Research Focus Category :

Dr. Yanzhao Dong’s research primarily focuses on heterogeneous catalysis and catalyst material design 🔬⚛️. His expertise lies in creating efficient and sustainable catalysts for industrial applications, including chemical synthesis and environmental remediation 🌱🏭. He emphasizes the development of structured catalysts with enhanced performance and longevity 🧱🔧. His work bridges the gap between lab-scale innovation and industrial-scale implementation, promoting green chemistry principles 🌿⚙️. From nano-level catalyst optimization to pilot-scale testing, his studies support sustainable chemical engineering solutions 🧫🔄. His multidisciplinary approach combines materials science, reaction engineering, and environmental technology ♻️🧪.

🔹 Awards and Honors:

  • 🏆 Key Contributor to National “973” Program

  • 🏅 Research Recognition for participation in the “863” High-Tech Development Plan

  • 📜 30 SCI Publications – Cited in international journals

  • 🧪 8 Patents Filed – Including 6 Chinese and 2 international PCT patents

  • 🧑‍🔬 Postdoctoral Fellowship at a national-level joint research platform

Publication Top Notes:

📘 1. Highly Efficient and Rapid Adsorption of Dyes by Hollow Mesoporous Carbon Spheres

Citation:
Lu, Y., Wu, Q., Meng, X., Xu, Y., & Zhang, J. (2025). Highly efficient and rapid adsorption of dyes by hollow mesoporous carbon spheres. Separation and Purification Technology.

Summary:
This study introduces hollow mesoporous carbon spheres (HMCS) as a highly effective adsorbent for removing organic dyes from wastewater. The HMCS exhibit a large surface area and uniform pore distribution, facilitating rapid and efficient dye adsorption. The research demonstrates that these carbon spheres can achieve near-complete dye removal in a short time frame, highlighting their potential for practical wastewater treatment applications.

⚗️ 2. A Polydopamine-Mediated Crystalline/Amorphous Ru-RuO₂/Ni(OH)₂ Composite Catalyst for High Current Density Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Citation:
Lai, L., Zhang, H., Zeng, J., Dong, Y., Jin, W., Li, C., Li, Y., Niu, Y., Zhang, J., Zhang, H., & Kong, A. (2025). A polydopamine-mediated crystalline/amorphous Ru-RuO₂/Ni(OH)₂ composite catalyst for high current density hydrogen evolution reaction. Molecular Catalysis.

Summary:
This research presents a novel composite catalyst composed of crystalline/amorphous Ru-RuO₂ and Ni(OH)₂, mediated by polydopamine (PDA), for efficient hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) at high current densities. The PDA layer enhances the stability and conductivity of the catalyst, resulting in improved HER performance. The study showcases the catalyst’s potential for sustainable hydrogen production in alkaline media.

🏅 Suitability Summary for Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yanzhao Dong stands out as a top-tier researcher in the field of catalyst material design and heterogeneous catalysis 🔬⚛️. With a solid foundation from Tianjin University and advanced research during his postdoctoral tenure at Zhejiang University and Xinhecheng Co., Ltd. 🧪🏭, he has demonstrated excellence in both theoretical and applied chemical engineering. His work bridges laboratory innovation with industrial application, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency.

Conclusion:

Dr. Dong’s balance of scholarly productivity, technical innovation, and national-level engagement makes him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His pioneering work not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also drives sustainable industrial transformation—perfectly aligning with the goals of such an honor. 🏆🌐

Dr. Hao Zhang | Catalytic materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hao Zhang | Catalytic materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hao Zhang, Tianjin Ren’ai College, China

Dr. Hao Zhang is a distinguished researcher specializing in catalytic materials, semiconductor photodetectors, and pollution control. His work on low-temperature catalytic oxidation of CO and β-Ga₂O₃ semiconductors has significantly advanced optoelectronics and environmental sustainability. As a lecturer at Tianjin Ren’ai College, he combines academic excellence with industry experience, having previously served as a senior manager in environmental technology. His research has led to high-impact publications, commercial applications, and recognition in pollution control technologies. With a keen focus on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Zhang continues to push the boundaries of materials science. 🌍✨

Professional Profile:

Scopus

Suitability of Dr. Hao Zhang for the Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hao Zhang is an exceptional researcher in catalytic materials, semiconductor photodetectors, and environmental sustainability. His pioneering work in low-temperature catalytic oxidation of CO and β-Ga₂O₃ semiconductor photodetectors has significantly influenced both optoelectronics and pollution control technologies. As a lecturer at Tianjin Ren’ai College and a former senior manager in environmental technology, he bridges the gap between academia and industry, translating scientific research into practical applications.

Education & Experience 🎓👨‍🔬

  • Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering 🏅
  • Master’s in Physics & Materials Science 🧪
  • Bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering 🌱
  • Lecturer at Tianjin Ren’ai College 📚
  • Senior Manager in Environmental Technology Industry 🌍
  • Extensive Research on Semiconductor-Based Photodetectors & Catalytic Materials 💡

Professional Development 🚀📖

Dr. Zhang is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and practical solutions in catalytic materials and semiconductor technology. He actively participates in international conferences, sharing insights on optoelectronics and pollution control innovations. His collaborations with academic and industrial partners enhance the real-world impact of his discoveries. He continuously pursues funding opportunities to expand his research on sustainable environmental technologies. As a mentor, he guides students toward groundbreaking research, fostering the next generation of scientists. Through patent development, industry partnerships, and global networking, he is shaping the future of nanomaterials and semiconductor advancements. 🌎🔍

Research Focus Areas 🔬🌱

Dr. Zhang’s research spans multiple scientific disciplines, including materials science, physics, and environmental engineering. His cutting-edge work on β-Ga₂O₃ semiconductors for deep ultraviolet photodetectors is crucial for next-generation optoelectronics. He is also a pioneer in low-temperature catalytic oxidation of CO, developing advanced materials for pollution control. His expertise in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma diagnostics contributes to fundamental physics and real-world environmental applications. Through high-impact publications and commercial applications, his research directly influences sustainable technology, semiconductor advancements, and industrial pollution reduction. 🌍✨

Awards & Honors 🏅🎖

  • Best Researcher Award Nominee 🏆
  • Recognized for Innovations in Pollution Control Technologies 🌍
  • Published in Top-Tier Journals (Molecules, Optik, etc.) 📖
  • Industry Recognition for CO Removal Technologies & Firefighting Masks 🚒
  • Acknowledged for Contributions to Semiconductor-Based Photodetectors 📡

Publication Top Notes:

📄 “Trace amount of niobium doped β-Ga₂O₃ deep ultraviolet photodetector with enhanced photo-response” (2021) – Optik9 citations