Events

Bioinnovation Center spring seminar: Together! The power of many in interdisciplinary collaboration

Join us for the annual seminar of Aalto University Bioinnovation Center:
Together! The power of many in interdisciplinary collaboration

26 April, 2023 from 14:00 to 18:30 in the new location of Design Factory (Puumiehenkuja 5A, Espoo)
White plant cell wall structure looking network on a bright substrate

Together!

Join us to hear about the power of interdisciplinary collaboration at the Bioinnovation Center spring seminar. We proudly welcome our keynote speaker, Bioinnovation Center's new Professor Luana Dessbesell, to share her insights on the topic.

In addition, several experts from the field will give short talks from different angles of collaboration. Last but not least, the talents of Bioinnovation Center doctoral school will give pitch presentations about their interdisciplinary research projects. Please see below the detailed program.

Networking! Drinks & snacks! Research stands! Best pitch award!

Seminar program:

13:40 - 14:00         Registration

14:00 - 14:15         Welcome and opening, Kristiina Kruus and Michael Hummel

14:15 - 15:00         A bird's eye view: expanding our perspective of bioproduct innovation, Luana Dessbesell

15:00 - 15:30         Coffee break

15:30 - 16:00         What collaboration has opened to me? Expert short talks: Pirjo Kääriäinen, Tapani Vuorinen, Yu Xiao, Manuel Arias Barrantes, Riikka Mäkikoskela

16:00 - 16:15         Q & A

16:15 - 16:45         Towards sustainable textile and packaging innovations: Pitch presentations of Bioinnovation Center doctoral students. Laureen Mahler (ARTS), Helena Sederholm (CHEM), Sahar Babaeipour (CHEM), Matteo Iannacchero (CHEM), Sofia Guridi (ARTS), Madhawa Basnayaka (CHEM/ELEC).

16:45 - 17:00         Wrap up, Michael Hummel

17:00 - 18:30         Research stands, snacks & drinks

17:15-17:20           Best pitch award

A profile picture of Luana Dessbesell
Keynote speaker: Prof. Luana Dessbesell

Luana Dessbesell started as assistant professor of Sustainable Bioproducts Innovation at Aalto University in February 2023. Luana is focusing on the translation of bioproducts research to commercialization considering an interdisciplinary approach leveraging technoeconomic, environmental and circularity indicators. Luana obtained a bachelor's and a master's degree in forest engineering in Brazil where she also worked on an environmental engineering firm. Continuing her career in Canada, during her Ph.D. studies she worked with a multidisciplinary team in the valorization of lignin, considering its chemical structure, all the way to the final product supply chain. After finishing her PhD she joined a boutique consulting firm as biorefinery specialist assessing the sustainability of various bioproducts opportunities for the forest and allied sectors. Luana’s postdoc work focused on innovation management resulting in a framework to support forest companies in designing transformative business strategies considering bioeconomy opportunities, circular economy principles to achieve long-term competitiveness.

Aalto University Bioinnovation Center

To achieve human wellbeing in planetary boundaries, we need new sustainable solutions to wisely use our natural resources. The Bioinnovation Center especially focuses on innovations in sustainable bio-based materials, with special focus on textiles and packaging.

Read more about Bioinnovation Center
Photo: Artistic paper sample
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