Kevin Van Geem (full professor) is member of the Laboratory for Chemical Technology of Ghent University. Thermochemical reaction engineering in general and in particular the transition from fossil to renewable resources are his main research interests. He is a former Fulbright Research Scholar of MIT and directs the Pilot plant for steam cracking and pyrolysis. He is the author of more than hundred scientific publications and has recently started his own spin-off company.

He is involved in on-line and off-line analysis of complex petrochemical and biochemical samples using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Pyrolysis, detailed kinetic modeling, process, scale-up, modeling, and ant-fouling technology belong to his main expertise.

Professor David Lokhat is the Academic Leader for Chemical Engineering at UKZN. He is also the head of the Reactor Technology Research Group within the School of Engineering. His research interests are in catalysis and chemical reaction engineering, specifically process intensification in reactor technology with a focus on the development and application of advanced materials for more efficient and environmentally benign reaction and separation systems

He was a previous recipient of the South African Institution of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE) Innovation award and is a Royal Academy of Engineering Leaders in Innovation Fellow. He also serves as President of SAIChE and is a rated scientist with the National Research Foundation of South Africa.