Engineering Discipline:
- Chemical Engineering
Academic Qualifications:
- Laurea summa cum laude in Chemical Engineering, University of Bologna, Italy, 2005
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Bologna, Italy, 2009
- Post Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Teaching, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, 2014
Professional Qualifications and Memberships:
- Associate Member of IChemE
- Member of NZBio
- Investigator in the Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Teaching:
- Chemical Engineering Unit Operations 3 - CHEE09009
Research Interests:
Wet-resistant bio-inspired adhesives
Wet resistant adhesives have direct implications in biomedical applications. This project finds inspiration from NZ native seaweed to develop underwater adhesive. The present research activities focus on the chemical, structural and mechanical characterization of the adhesive secreted by one of the strongest seaweed in the word, Durvillaea antarctica, and its weaker "sister", Hormosira banksii.
3D printing of adsorptive media
In this research we aim to create adsorptive porous media using 3D printing technologies. Current adsorptive media present irregular pores and random interconnections, resulting in product variability and sub-optimal performance. Fine control of the packing geometry is achieved using 3D printing. This idea is currently employed to generate porous media for chromatographic applications, but the same approach could be used in a range of industries in the chemical engineering arena.
Specialities:
- Development of high resolution 3D Printing methods
- Bioseparations for the production of bioproducts/pharmaceuticals, focus on chromatography
- Wet resistant adhesives
- Material science, focus on biomaterials
