October 5, 2023: Visiting Fellow Offers Insight into Circular Economy

More industries are embracing the idea of a circular economy in which waste materials may be used to their full potential.

Visiting Fellow Dr. Paola Giudicianni (Institute of Science and Technologies for Sustainable Energy and Mobility, Naples, Italy) investigates conversion processes that transform agricultural and forestry waste into products that might help to mitigate the effects of climate change.

One product that is of interest to Giudicianni is biochar. Biochar is an organic, charcoal-like substance with numerous useful applications, including pollution reduction, wastewater treatment, and carbon sequestration. Giudicianni also brings to the Nature inspired solutions for carbon transformation research theme insights into new advancements in phytoremediation, a process in which sustainable materials are used to remove heavy metals from contaminated soil.

Giudicianni will be in residence at the Western Academy until November 2023 and will return to Western University to continue her work with the Nature-inspired solutions team for subsequent visits in 2024. Giudicianni is a guest at Malhotra House, a visitor’s residence offered to Western by the generous donation of Desh and Ladi Malhotra.

For more information about the Nature-inspired solutions for  carbon transformation research theme, please contact Theme Leader Chris DeGroot at christopher.degroot@uwo.ca. Learn more about our current Visiting Fellows.