Research

The goal of cost-effective second generation bioethanol requires a biorefinery approach, in which a range of added value products, beyond biofuels, are produced during biomass deconstruction, adding to the overall economic competitiveness of the process. To achieve this it is necessary to work simultaneously on improving feedstock quality and feedstock processing methods, as well as identifying and optimising the production of added value products. It is critical that in developing the basis of a biorefinery based on plant biomass, overall sustainability is ensured in terms of environment, economy and society.

My current research focuses on improving the quality of plant biomass as a renewable feedstock for the production of sustainable biofuels and chemicals. I lead the "Physical and chemical pretreatments" Workpackage within the MaxBio Project. This is a BBSRC funded Industrial Biotechnology Project to improve conversion yields from plant biomass into biofuel and chemical products, focusing on sugar production, sugar release and sugar conversion. By taking an holistic approach to increase yields across the whole process, and deploying novel multifactorial experimental design to combine improvements at various stages, we aim to transform process economics for biorefining.

I also lead the Biomass Analysis Work Package in the RiceResilience project funded by the Newton Fund, which is a collaboration between Vietnam, Philippines, and the UK to improve the quality of rice straw for energy and feed applications. The valorisation of rice straw will avoid the harming effects of straw burning and contribute to add value to agricultural waste.

Previously, I was the Biomass deconstruction workpackage leader within the SUNLIBB consortium (2010-2014), coordinated by Prof. Simon McQueen-Mason . This consortium was a bilateral collaborative project between the EU and Brazil, dedicated to developing biomass resources as an alternative energy source.

I also participated in a second EU funded project (RENEWALL 2008-2012), involving 18 laboratories from European academic institutions as well as private companies from several European countries. The project research aimed to overcome intrinsic barriers which currently prevent the conversion of plant cell walls into second generation biofuels at an industrial level.

Between 2009-2014, the CNAP was partner in the BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre (BSBEC), hosting the Marine Wood Borer Enzyme Discovery Programme and the Cell Wall Lignin programme. Within BSBEC I was responsible for overseeing the York contribution to the Cell Wall Lignin Programme aimed at manipulating the properties of lignin in barley straw to increase efficiency for biofuel production, as well as working on aspects of the BSBEC enzyme discovery programme.

I also participate in a BBSRC China Partnering Project to improve the quality of rice straw for energy uses, I have a NEWTON-CONFAP (Brazil) cooperation award, and I interact with a number of companies through Business Interaction Vouchers and Proof of Concept awards from NIBBS/BBSRC.