Groups and interactions
The EUALGAE action is composed of senior and early-stage researchers coping with the different areas proposed along the Working Groups (WGs). The Action provides the means to coordinate the activities required for an effective collaboration.
The Management Committee (MC) is responsible for the budget planning and allocation of funds and coordinates the activities of the 5 WGs. Likewise, the MC integrates these activities to reach the overall objectives of the Action and report to the COST Office. The list with the EUAlgae MC Members and International Observers is published here.
Core Group
Efficient day-to-day management is ensured by the Core Group (CG). The CG is constituted by:
Chair
Country: Spain
Institution: IMDEA Energy
Email: cristina.gonzalez@imdea.org
Website: http://www.energy.imdea.org/
Key investigations:
Anaerobic Digestion
Wastewater bioremediation
Photosynthetic microorganisms
C. Gonzalez-Fernandez, B. Sialve, B. Molinuevo-Salces “Anaerobic digestion of microalgal biomass: Challenges, opportunities and research needs” Bioresource Technology 198 (2015) 896-906
L. Mendez, A. Mahdy, M. Ballesteros, C. Gonzalez Fernandez “Chlorella vulgaris vs cyanobacterial biomasses: Comparison in terms of biomass productivity and biogas yield” Energy Conversion and Management 92 (2015) 137 – 142
Mahdy, L. Mendez, S. Blanco, M. Ballesteros, C. Gonzalez “Protease cell wall degradation of Chlorella vulgaris: Effect on methane production” Bioresource Technology 171 (2014) 421 – 427
C. Gonzalez Fernandez, B. Sialve, N. Bernet, J.P. Steyer “Impact of microalgae characteristics on their conversion to biofuel. Part II: Focus on biomethane production” Biofuels Bioproducts & Biorefining 6 – 2 (2012) 205 – 218
C. Gonzalez Fernandez, B. Molinuevo Salces, M.C. Garcia Gonzalez “Nitrogen transformationsunder different conditions in open ponds by means of microalgae-bacteria consortium treating pig slurry” Bioresource Technology 102 (2011) 960 – 966
WG2 Leader
Country: Belgium
Institution: Aquatic Biology Lab, KU Leuven campus Kortrijk, KU Leuven University
Email: koenraad.muylaert@kuleuven.be
Website: www.kuleuven-kortrijk.be/biology
Key investigations:
Harvesting of microalgae based on flocculation (alkaline flocculation, bio-based flocculants)
Production of poly-unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants from microalgae
Production of the natural pigment phycocyanin in Arthrospira
Control of grazers in microalgal cultures
Microalgae-based phosphorus removal and recovery from wastewaters
Key publications:
Vandamme, D., Beuckels, A., Vadelius, E., Depraetere, O., Noppe, W., Dutta, A., Foubert, I., Laurens, L. & Muylaert, K. (2016). Inhibition of alkaline flocculation by algal organic matter for Chlorella vulgaris. Water research, 88, 301-307.
Eyley, S., Vandamme, D., Lama, S., Van den Mooter, G., Muylaert, K., & Thielemans, W. (2015). CO 2 controlled flocculation of microalgae using pH responsive cellulose nanocrystals. Nanoscale, 7(34), 14413-14421.
Depraetere, O., Pierre, G., Deschoenmaeker, F., Badri, H., Foubert, I., Leys, N., Wattiez, R. & Muylaert, K. (2015). Harvesting carbohydrate-rich Arthrospira platensis by spontaneous settling. Bioresource technology, 180, 16-21.
Beuckels, A., Smolders, E., & Muylaert, K. (2015). Nitrogen availability influences phosphorus removal in microalgae-based wastewater treatment. Water research, 77, 98-106.
Vandamme, D., Foubert, I., & Muylaert, K. (2013). Flocculation as a low-cost method for harvesting microalgae for bulk biomass production. Trends in biotechnology, 31(4), 233-239.
WG5 Leader
Country: France
Institution: IFP Energies Nouvelles
Email: pierre.collet@ifpen.fr
Website: https://scholar.google.fr/citations?user=_Hp9aHQAAAAJ&hl=fr
Key investigations:
Key publications:
STSM Coordinator
Country: Switzerland
Institution: Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW
Email: dominik.refardt@zhaw.ch
Website(s):
Key investigations:
Partner of the Swiss consortium for research in bioenergy BIOSWEET. Main focus: alternative nutrient sources for phototrophic cultivation of microalgae
Application of microalgae in fish feed
Key publications:
Bagnoud-Velásquez M., D. Refardt, F. Vuille & C. Ludwig. 2015. Opportunities for Switzerland to contribute to the production of algal biofuels: the hydrothermal pathway to bio-methane. CHIMIA 69:614-621.
Graber A., T. Leiblein, D. Refardt & R. Junge. 2013. Potential of algae turf scrubbers (ATS™) for elimination of phosphorus from swimming ponds. In: Wetland Systems: Ecology, Functioning and Management. Borin M., M. Malagoli, M. Salvato & B. Tanis (Eds). 29-30. P.A.N., Padova.
Vice-chair
Country: Portugal
Institution: LNEG – National Laboratory of Energy and Geology, IP.
Email: luisa.gouveia@lneg.pt
Website: www.lneg.pt
Key investigations:
Key publications:
WG3 Leader
Country: Ireland
Institution: Food BioSciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
Email: maria.hayes@teagasc.ie
Website: http://www.teagasc.ie/
Key investigations:
Key publications:
Dissemination Manager
Country: Spain
Institution: Dpt. of Chemical Engineering and Enviromental Technology, University of Valladolid (UVa)
Email: mutora@iq.uva.es
Websites: http://envtech.uva.es/ http://gastreatment-microalgaeresearchgroup.blogspot.com.es/
Key investigations:
Key publications:
Science officer of the Action
Email: deniz.karaca@cost.eu
Website: http://www.cost.eu/about_cost/who/(type)/5/(wid)/36170
WG1 Leader
Country: Italy
Institution: Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi del CNR
Email: torzillo@ise.cnr.it
Website: http://www3.ise.cnr.it
Key investigations:
Key publications:
Chapter in books:
WG4 Leader
Country: Serbia
Institution: Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad
Email: senka.curcin@yahoo.com
Website: www.tf.uns.ac.rs
Key investigations:
Key publications:
ECI Speaker
Country: Slovenia
Institution: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
Email: marina.klemencic@fkkt.uni-lj.si
Website: http://www.fkkt.uni-lj.si/en/
Key investigations:
Key publications:
Grant Holder
Fundación IMDEA Energía (Spain) is the Grant Holder of the ES1408 EUAlgae COST Action. The Grant Holder performs and oversees the administrative tasks related to managing and coordinating the Action’s activities, in accordance with best practice financial and administrative standards and rules specified in the COST Implementation Rules and COST Vademecum.