Plenary Speakers

Mathias Ulbricht had studied chemistry, received his doctoral degree (Dr. rer. nat.) in 1987 from Humboldt University Berlin, Germany, and his habilitation (Dr. habil.) from the same university in 1997. He also worked as researcher in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA (1992-1993), and at GKSS Research Center Geesthacht, Teltow, Germany (1997-1999). He was founder and CEO of the private company ELIPSA GmbH in Berlin (1999-2003). Since 2001, he is a full professor for chemical technology at University of Duisburg-Essen. He is Editor of the „Journal of Membrane Science“ and also in the Editorial Boards of “Polymer”, “Separation and Purification Technology” and “Membranes”.

Dr. Ulbricht has over 30 years of experience in organic and polymer chemistry as well as chemical engineering. In the focus of his research are functional polymeric and nanohybrid materials, including synthetic membranes and membrane-based technologies for water purification, bioseparation and energy conversion. Topics of special expertise include organic membrane materials, membrane formation and preparation, surface functionalization, membrane characterization, fouling, water treatment and desalination, and bioseparation. Until now, he has more than 250 peer-reviewed journal publications, 16 book chapters and more than 20 issued patents.

Lidietta Giorno is currently Research Director at the Institute on Membrane Technology of the National Research Council of Italy, CNR-ITM. She served as The Director of the Institute from May 2009 till February 2019. She is expert in membrane science and technology with particular focus on biohybrid and biocatalytic membranes, multifunctional membrane, membrane emulsification, integrated membrane processes in water, biotechnology, biorefinery, food, biomedicine and security. She awarded The International Award Guido Dorso for Research in 2011, Honorary Membership of the European Membrane Society in 2014, Sapio Red Carpet Award in 2016. She is co-author of 14 books, over 200 peer reviewed papers, and co-editor of the Encyclopedia of Membranes, Springer, 2016.