Principal Investigator
Dr. Sharon Velasquez-Orta research involves the evaluation of new environmental technologies that can achieve both energy generation and waste remediation. Her group is interested in the production of renewable energy from microalgae and liquid/solid wastes using bioelectrochemical, chemical and thermal technologies.
Biofuel production from wastewater sludge and microalgae is researched using in situ transesterification and catalytic cracking. These processes offer several advantages such as the elimination of an oil extraction step, potential improvement on biofuel yield, and reduction in the transportation of intermediate products.
She also investigates the production of electricity and wastewater monitoring using Microbial Fuel Cells. This is a technology that can be used to obtain both wastewater treatment and electricity generation; or to monitor the organic matter content of wastewater.
Additionally her research also includes estimating the energy used and carbon emissions produced by current wastewater/water treatment works in the North East (UK) using a life cycle assessment.
Download CV Download Publications
Current PhD Students
Bioelectrochemical Algal Systems
Mr Olatunde Akinbuja
Jan 2018 -current
O.O.Akinbuja2@newcastle.ac.uk
My research journey has been inclined towards sustainability. I have worked on evaluation of metal pollution in aquatic environment. Also, I have worked on production of biodiesel from wastewater sludge. Currently, my PhD research is in the production of clean electricity and useful chemicals using microorganisms.
My future research interests are in the scale up of bioelectrochemical systems.
I have been investigating the application of microalgae (Chlorella vulgaris) as a biocatalyst in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). The research involves carrying out an engineering assessment to understand the role of algae as a biocatalyst in BES. Furthermore, novel microalgae biocomposite electrodes is being explored as against having algae suspensions in these systems. This novel way of using algae in BES as biological catalyst is being applied in microbial fuel cells (MFC) and microbial electrolysis cells (MEC).
Algal Wastewater Treatment Using Novel Bicultures
Mr Οbaidullah Μοhiuddin
Sept 2018 – March 2023 (Viva passed)
O.Mohiuddin2@newcastle.ac.uk
Following my bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Pakistan, I chose to pursue my postgraduate research in Sustainable Environment Energy System (SEES) from Middle East technical University Northern Cyprus to further enhance my knowledge on sustainability. Along with gaining experience in sustainability and process intensification during my master’s degree, I also demonstrated chemistry laboratory experiments to undergraduate students for three years. After completing my master’s degree, I was awarded a Newcastle Research Overseas Scholarship (NUORS) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grant to pursue my PhD in “Co-culture of yeast and microalgae for the wastewater treatment”. As a part of my doctoral training, I went to the UNAM University in Mexico to learn about wastewater treatment and microorganism harvesting.
Algal Wastewater Treatment Using Novel Intensified Reactors
Mr Sergio Serrano Blanco
Sept 2020 -current
S.Serrano-Blanco2@newcastle.ac.uk
I have always been interested in Biotechnology and Biological systems that’s why I decided to study first a BSc in Biotechnology followed by a BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a MSc in Industrial Biotechnology between Spain, Portugal and the UK. After the completion of my studies, I worked in industry for nearly three years in the diagnostics sector and then I decided to apply for the ReNU CDT PhD in Energy Materials at University of Newcastle.
I am mainly interested in microalgae as means of achieving environmentally sustainable technologies with a focus on providing solutions for wastewater treatment. As for my project, we are looking at innovative 3D-printed materials to study their effect on the amount of microalgae obtained to produce biodiesel as well as treating aquaculture wastewater. I hope this experience will provide me with the technical knowledge to pursue a career within the algal biotechnology and hopefully translate these years of hard work into a new business idea.
Research Assistants
Mrs Madina Οbaidullah
Research Assistant
Feb 2021 – Jul 2021
nmo68@newcastle.ac.uk
Mr James Brothwood
Apprentice
2021 – 2021
J.Brothwood@newcastle.ac.uk
Ms Linda Salman
Apprentice
2021 – 2021
L.Salman@newcastle.ac.uk
Alumni Students
Metal Remediation Using Microalgae
Mr James Hockaday
Sept 2016 – June 2021 (Viva Passed), Graduated :December 2021
james.hockaday@newcastle.ac.uk
I am passionate about sustainability and my research has been directed towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity. My research has taken me to Mexico where I undertook a project investigating the production of a jet-fuel alternative that was produced my microalgae that had been cultivated in municipal wastewater, and my PhD project focussed on the potential for metal uptake by microalgae.
My research has been mainly bench-scale lab based, but I have also taken the opportunity to be involved in the setup of a pilot study that investigated the use of a novel species of microalgae for the treatment of discharge from an anaerobic digestion process. This was offsite, with Northumbrian Water Ltd.
My future research interests are in the investigation of the thermodynamics associated with metal binding on microalgae, the comparison of nitrous oxide release of wastewater treatment by activated sludge and an algae process, and the modelling of microalgae growth with nutrient removal in the presence of heavy metals.
Producing chemicals from carbon dioxide using bioelectrochemical systems
Mr Tobechi Nnamdi Okoroafor
Sept 2014 – Jan 2019
T.N.Okoroafor1@newcastle.ac.uk
Economic & empirical investigation of bioelectrochemical systems for carbon dioxide utilisation
Miss Xenia Christodoulou
Sept 2012 -Nov 2016
X.Christodoulou@ncl.ac.uk
Biodiesel production from microalgae
Dr. Kamoru Adio Salam
Alumni PhD
Sept 2011 – Sept 2015
Masters and Visiting Students
An examination of the impact COVID-19 on pollution levels in London
Matthew Rees
MSc Clean Tech.
May-Aug 2020
Effects of COVID-19 on pollution levels in Kuwait
Soliman Khajah
MSc Clean Tech.
May-Aug 2020
Environmental and economic assessment of microalgal for soft tissue
Harry Orendi
MSc Clean Tech.
May-Aug 2020
Kinetic modelling of yeast and microalgae in wastewater treatment.
Robert Temperley
MEng in Chem.
Feb-May 2020
Investigating co-cultures to treat synthetic wastewater
Jonathan Vincent
MEng in Chem.
Feb-May 2020
Effect of operating conditions on performance in a microalgae-cathode MFCl.
Sarah Anderson
MEng in Chem.
Feb-May 2020
Performance of a novel microalgae biocomposite paper for CO2 biofixation
Alice Robinson
MEng in Chem.
Feb-May 2019
Amperometric detection of faecal contamination in water
Osei Akoto
MEng in Chem.
Feb-May 2019
Chlorella Vulgaris as a biocatalyst in MFC and microbial electrosynthesis
Theo Mayne
MEng in Chem.
Feb-May 2019
Biosorption of copper ions from aqueous solutions by viable Scenedesmous
Alex Hunt
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2018
Effect of carbonate availability, pH control on nutrient removal in microalgae
Edward Elcock
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2018
Wild yeast outperform under non-sterile heterotrophic conditions
Laura Walls
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2018
Comparing microalgae in suspension with microalgae biocomposites
Ryan Coleman
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2018
Value added chemicals from the reduction of CO2 using electrosynthesis
Luke Cronin
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2017
MFC biosensor for water monitoring
Paige Caldaralo&Ben Stammer
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2017
Wastewater treatment using microalgae in oscillatory baffled reactors
Thomas Black
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2017
Bioelectricity generation using a microalgae/MFC
Toby Ward
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2017
In situ transesterification of marine algae using a sustainable eggshell catalyst
James Cope
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2017
Production of bioethanol from carbohydrate rich Pavlova microalgae.
Matt Brockwell
MEng in Chem. Eng.
Feb-May 2017
A Study on Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 in Bioelectrochemical Systems.
Miss Aswathi Kirshnakumar
MSc in Environ. Eng
May-Sept 2016
Carbon dioxide conversion to higher energy products.
Mr Tom Mealey
MSc in Environ. Eng
May-Sept 2016
Kripa Naphur Nuffield Research Placement
Miss Melina Dos Santos (Brazil)
Bioelectrochemistry Visitor
May-Sept 2016
Monitoring Groundwater Pollution using a Fuel Cell Sediment Reactor.
Mr Richard Dudbridge
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb -May, 2016
Catalytic activity of CO2 proteins from Shewanella Oneidensis MR-1 cells.
Mr Zayn Khan
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb -May, 2016
Modelling and design ?of a pilot-scale bio-refinery plant.
Mr Jon Vaughan
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb -May, 2015
MFC Biosensor in-situ Detection of Organic Pollution within Groundwater.
Mr Daniel Tolley
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb -May, 2015
Silverstone enzymatic saccharification of microalgae for bioethanol.
Miss Becky
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb -May, 2015
Biodiesel production from microalgae growth using wastewater.
Mr Oladapo Komolafe
MSc in Environ. Eng
May- Sept, 2013
MFC biosensor for detecting contamination of water bodies in remote areas.
Ms Nayarid Pena Rangel
MSc in Environ. Eng
May- Sept, 2013
Evaluating the use of microalgae for biodiesel production(CEAM, Singapore)
Mr Ian-Daniel Lim Soo Yong
Mr Tan Zhen Kai
May- Sept, 2013
Biofuel production from microalgae(ENSIACET, France).
Miss Victoria Michaut
Visiting Researcher
May- Sept, 2013
Characterisation of mixed cultures of microalgae.
Miss Ivy Tavershima
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb -May, 2013
Acetate production from carbon dioxide.
Miss Hanna Whall
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb -May, 2013
Online MFC biosensor for water characterisation
Miss Rojiar Ferschy
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb -May, 2013
Development of microbial fuel cell biosensors
Mr. Joel Lim (Research Visitor)
Oct 2012 – Jan 2013
j.l.t.heng@ncl.ac.uk
Biofuel production from mixed microalgae grown using wastewater
Mr. Sebastien Koch (Research Visitor)
Oct 2012 -June 2013
sebastien.koch@ncl.ac.uk
Biodiesel production from mixed microalgae.
Mr. Peter Batty
MSc in Environ. Engr
May – Aug, 2012
Microbial fuel cell biosensor.
Xenia Christodoulou
MSc in Clean Technology
May – Aug, 2012
Development of an electrode biosensor.
Miss Sophie Cooper
BSc in Chemistry
May-Aug, 2012
Novel catalysts for biodiesel production.
Mr Ben Dannatt
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb-May, 2012
Carbon emissions and energy use for water industries.
Mr John Lyth
MEng in Chem. Eng
Feb-May, 2012
Assessing the energetic potential of sewage sludge.
Mr. Orimisan Akinbuja
MSc in Environ. Eng
May- August, 2011
Novel catalysts for biodiesel production.
Mr. Guillaume Pellegrin
MSc in Environ. Eng
May- August, 2011
Biodiesel production from microalgae.
Miss Elinor Shilling
MEng Chem. Eng
Feb-May, 2011
Catalytic cracking of microalgae.
Mr. Barnaby Baxter
MEng Chem. Eng
Feb-May, 2011