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 Catรกlisis y Petroleoquรญmica – CSIC, Spain

Silvia Morales de la Rosa ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿงช is a dedicated chemist and researcher at the Instituto de Catรกlisis y Petroleoquรญmica (CSIC) in Spain ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ. 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 ๐ŸŒฟโš—๏ธ. Silvia leads European projects like HE FUELGAE and FUELPHORIA ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ก, has authored 24 scientific papers ๐Ÿ“š, and holds 3 patents. Passionate about sustainable energy and circular economy ๐Ÿ”„๐ŸŒฑ, she mentors Ph.D. students and collaborates internationally to drive innovation in renewable fuel technologies ๐Ÿš€.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

Suitability Summary

โœ… 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 โ€“ โ‚ฌ11M and HE FUELGAE โ€“ โ‚ฌ5M), 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 Experienceย 

  • ๐ŸŽ“ Education:

    • ๐ŸŽ“ PhD in Chemistry โ€“ Madrid Autonomous University, Spain (2015)

    • ๐ŸŽ“ Graduate in Chemical Sciences โ€“ Valladolid University, Spain (2001)

    ๐Ÿ’ผ Experience:

    • ๐Ÿงช Researcher at CSICโ€™s ICP (2008โ€“Present)

    • ๐Ÿงช R&D roles in ANALIZAGUA S.L., AQM Laboratorios, and Ministry of Industry projects (2004โ€“2008)

    • ๐Ÿ”ฌ Fellowship on chemical research with Repsol & Valladolid University (2001โ€“2003)

    • ๐Ÿค• Medical interruptions due to cancer treatment (2004, 2012, 2016โ€“2017)

Professional Developmentย 

Silvia has continuously enhanced her professional development through hands-on industrial research collaborations ๐Ÿ”ฌ๐Ÿญ, specialization fellowships, and leadership in high-level European projects ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“Š. She has led project writing, technical-economic planning, and partner engagement for Horizon Europe proposals ๐Ÿ“‘๐Ÿค. Her role as Track Co-Lead at the upcoming NAM29 conference ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”ฌ๐ŸŒŽ underscores her active participation in international scientific forums. She mentors Ph.D. candidates and supervises academic theses ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŽ“, 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 โš—๏ธโš™๏ธ.

Research Focusย 

Silvia’s research is centered on sustainable energy and green chemistry ๐ŸŒฑโš—๏ธ. Her work targets biomass valorization, microalgae processing, and the production of advanced biofuels and e-fuels ๐Ÿ”ฌ๐ŸŒฟ. She develops heterogeneous catalytic systems for hydrotreatment, hydrogenation, and selective oxidation processes ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿงช. Her innovations aim to convert waste biomass into valuable bio-products under mild, eco-friendly conditions โ™ป๏ธ. With significant achievements like pilot plant construction and patents, Silvia’s focus lies at the intersection of renewable energy, circular economy, and industrial catalysis ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿญ. Her projects aim to accelerate the transition toward sustainable fuel alternatives and reduced carbon emissions ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ง.

Awards and Honorsย 

  • ๐Ÿ† Magna โ€œCum Laudeโ€ Ph.D. distinction โ€“ Madrid Autonomous University

  • ๐Ÿ… Track Co-Lead โ€“ Biomass & Waste Valorization, NAM29 Conference (2025)

  • ๐Ÿ“˜ Honors โ€“ MSc Thesis Supervision (Marta Lara Serrano, UNED, 2018)

  • ๐ŸŽ–๏ธ PI of CSIC in โ‚ฌ11M HE FUELPHORIA project

  • ๐ŸŒ Coordinator of โ‚ฌ5M Horizon Europe HE FUELGAE project

  • ๐Ÿงช Supervised multiple MSc & Ph.D. theses with academic excellence ratings

Publication Top Notes:

1. Lara-Serrano, M.; Morales-delaRosa, S. (AC); Campos-Martรญn, 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

๐Ÿ” 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.; Mรกrquez-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

๐Ÿ” 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-Martรญn, 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: 1059โ€“1070
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.01.063

๐Ÿ” 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 ZnClโ‚‚ยท4Hโ‚‚O 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

๐Ÿ” Summary:
The article presents a novel ZnClโ‚‚ยท4Hโ‚‚O-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-Fernรกndez, V.K.; Cunha-Silva, L.; Balula, S.S. (2022)

Title: One-Pot Conversion of Glucose into 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural using MOFs and Brรธnsted-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 Dongย  | catalyst amplification | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yanzhao Dongย  | catalyst amplification | Best Researcher Award

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

 

Dr. Yanzhao Dong ๐ŸŽ“ is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University ๐Ÿซ. He earned his Doctor of Engineering degree from Tianjin University ๐Ÿ›๏ธ and completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Zhejiang University and Zhejiang Xinhecheng Co., Ltd. ๐Ÿงช. With extensive experience in catalyst amplification and project engineering โš—๏ธ๐Ÿ”ง, his research centers on catalyst material design and heterogeneous catalyst applications ๐Ÿ”ฌ. As a vital member of various national R&D initiatives, including the โ€œ973โ€ and โ€œ863โ€ Programs ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ, he has published 30 SCI papers ๐Ÿ“š and holds 8 patents globally ๐Ÿ“„๐ŸŒ.

ย  ย  Professional Profile:

ย  Scopus

๐Ÿ”น Education and Experience:

  • ๐ŸŽ“ Ph.D. in Engineering โ€“ Tianjin University

  • ๐Ÿ”ฌ Postdoctoral Research โ€“ Joint Postdoctoral Workstation of Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Xinhecheng Co., Ltd.

  • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿซ Associate Professor โ€“ Department of Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University

  • โš—๏ธ Project & Catalyst Engineering Experience โ€“ 2 years of practical R&D involvement

  • ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Participation in National Projects โ€“ Key member in โ€œ973โ€ and โ€œ863โ€ research programs

๐Ÿ”น Professional Development:

Dr. Dong has steadily advanced his academic and research career through a combination of rigorous study and practical research experience ๐Ÿ“ˆ๐Ÿ“–. His time in postdoctoral research significantly enhanced his expertise in catalyst scale-up and industrial application ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿญ. Actively involved in multiple national-level research projects, he has contributed to pioneering studies in catalysis and materials development ๐Ÿงช๐Ÿงฌ. His work is marked by a strong integration of theoretical design and real-world application ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ”ง. As a result, he has gained recognition for his scientific output, publishing 30 SCI-indexed articles ๐Ÿ“˜ and securing 8 patents, including international PCT applications ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“‘.

๐Ÿ”น Research Focus Category :

Dr. Yanzhao Dong’s research primarily focuses on heterogeneous catalysis and catalyst material design ๐Ÿ”ฌโš›๏ธ. His expertise lies in creating efficient and sustainable catalysts for industrial applications, including chemical synthesis and environmental remediation ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿญ. He emphasizes the development of structured catalysts with enhanced performance and longevity ๐Ÿงฑ๐Ÿ”ง. His work bridges the gap between lab-scale innovation and industrial-scale implementation, promoting green chemistry principles ๐ŸŒฟโš™๏ธ. From nano-level catalyst optimization to pilot-scale testing, his studies support sustainable chemical engineering solutions ๐Ÿงซ๐Ÿ”„. His multidisciplinary approach combines materials science, reaction engineering, and environmental technology โ™ป๏ธ๐Ÿงช.

๐Ÿ”น Awards and Honors:

  • ๐Ÿ† Key Contributor to National โ€œ973โ€ Program

  • ๐Ÿ… Research Recognition for participation in the โ€œ863โ€ High-Tech Development Plan

  • ๐Ÿ“œ 30 SCI Publications โ€“ Cited in international journals

  • ๐Ÿงช 8 Patents Filed โ€“ Including 6 Chinese and 2 international PCT patents

  • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”ฌ Postdoctoral Fellowship at a national-level joint research platform

Publication Top Notes:

๐Ÿ“˜ 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.

โš—๏ธ 2. A Polydopamine-Mediated Crystalline/Amorphous Ru-RuOโ‚‚/Ni(OH)โ‚‚ 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-RuOโ‚‚/Ni(OH)โ‚‚ composite catalyst for high current density hydrogen evolution reaction. Molecular Catalysis.

Summary:
This research presents a novel composite catalyst composed of crystalline/amorphous Ru-RuOโ‚‚ and Ni(OH)โ‚‚, 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.

๐Ÿ… 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 ๐Ÿ”ฌโš›๏ธ. With a solid foundation from Tianjin University and advanced research during his postdoctoral tenure at Zhejiang University and Xinhecheng Co., Ltd. ๐Ÿงช๐Ÿญ, 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 transformationโ€”perfectly aligning with the goals of such an honor. ๐Ÿ†๐ŸŒ

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 ฮฒ-Gaโ‚‚Oโ‚ƒ semiconductors has significantly advanced optoelectronics and environmental sustainability. As a lecturer at Tianjin Renโ€™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. ๐ŸŒโœจ

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 ฮฒ-Gaโ‚‚Oโ‚ƒ semiconductor photodetectors has significantly influenced both optoelectronics and pollution control technologies. As a lecturer at Tianjin Renโ€™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 ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ”ฌ

  • Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering ๐Ÿ…
  • Masterโ€™s in Physics & Materials Science ๐Ÿงช
  • Bachelorโ€™s in Environmental Engineering ๐ŸŒฑ
  • Lecturer at Tianjin Renโ€™ai College ๐Ÿ“š
  • Senior Manager in Environmental Technology Industry ๐ŸŒ
  • Extensive Research on Semiconductor-Based Photodetectors & Catalytic Materials ๐Ÿ’ก

Professional Development ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿ“–

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. ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿ”

Research Focus Areas ๐Ÿ”ฌ๐ŸŒฑ

Dr. Zhang’s research spans multiple scientific disciplines, including materials science, physics, and environmental engineering. His cutting-edge work on ฮฒ-Gaโ‚‚Oโ‚ƒ 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. ๐ŸŒโœจ

Awards & Honors ๐Ÿ…๐ŸŽ–

  • Best Researcher Award Nominee ๐Ÿ†
  • Recognized for Innovations in Pollution Control Technologies ๐ŸŒ
  • Published in Top-Tier Journals (Molecules, Optik, etc.) ๐Ÿ“–
  • Industry Recognition for CO Removal Technologies & Firefighting Masks ๐Ÿš’
  • Acknowledged for Contributions to Semiconductor-Based Photodetectors ๐Ÿ“ก

Publication Top Notes:

๐Ÿ“„ “Trace amount of niobium doped ฮฒ-Gaโ‚‚Oโ‚ƒ deep ultraviolet photodetector with enhanced photo-response” (2021) โ€“ Optik โ€“ 9 citations