RESEARCHERS

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS (Brazil)

Dr. Andréa Moura Bernardes – Leader of the research group from UFRGS

Prof. Dr. Andréa Bernardes earned the B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from PUCRS/Brazil in 1985, M.Sc. in Material and Metallurgical Engineering from UFRGS/Brazil in 1989 and Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the Technische Universität Berlin/Germany (TU-BERLIN) in 1997. She has experience in the following topics: Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and metals recycling, membrane processes, environmental electrochemistry, wastewaters treatment and reuse. She is a Professor of the PPGE3M (Post-Graduate Program in Mine, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) of UFRGS since 1990. She has over 140 published articles in international journals, 27 book chapters, 5 books, 5 publications in magazines and over 260 proceedings. She has supervised 24 master’s candidates, 18 Ph.D. candidates and 3 post‑doctorate students.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/1542546016217813

Dr. Hugo Marcelo Veit – Professor

B.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering from UFRGS - Brazil (1998), M.Sc. in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from UFRGS (2001) and Ph.D. in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from UFRGS (2004). Professor of the Materials Department/Engineering School and the PPGE3M (Post-Graduate Program in Mine, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) at UFRGS since 2009. He has experience in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, focused on the following topics: materials recycling, electronic scraps, printed circuit boards, materials characterization, and solid waste.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/9315022812716131

Dr. Álvaro Meneguzzi - Professor

B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from PUC-RS (1993), M.Sc. in Materials Science (1997) and Ph.D. in Materials Science from UFRGS (2000) and Surfaces et Interfaces, Materiaux en evolution - Université Paris VII (2000). He has experience in Paints and Coatings Industry (1982 - 1993) and public service in environmental monitoring and licensing (2002 -2006). He was a Professor of ULBRA (1996), UERGS (2003-2006) and is currently a Professor of the School of Engineering of UFRGS (since 2006). He has experience in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering and works in the following topics: conducting polymers, corrosion, environment, biotechnology, and pollution.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/7988209596368527

Dr. Jane Zoppas Ferreira - Professor

B.Sc. in Chemistry from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS - Brazil (1978), M.Sc. in Material and Metallurgical Engineering from UFRGS (1982) and Ph.D. in Electrochemistry from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (1991). Professor at UFRGS since 1982. She has experience in Electrochemistry, electrodialysis, corrosion, protection, and recycling of metallic materials. Professor of the PPGE3M (Post-Graduate Program in Mine, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) – UFRGS since 1982. Prof. Dr. Jane Ferreira has over 87 published articles in Journals, 10 books chapters, 1 book, and 166 proceedings. She supervised 42 M.Sc. candidates, 11 Ph.D. candidates and 1 post‑doctorate’s student.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/0642035344132742

Dr. Salatiel Wohlmuth da Silva – Professor

B.Sc. in Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering from the State University of Rio Grande do Sul (2011). M.Sc. in Engineering (area: Materials Science and Technology) from the Post-Graduate Program in Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (PPGE3M) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) (2013). Ph.D. in Engineering (area: Materials Science and Technology) from PPGE3M-UFRGS. Ph.D. in Engineering and Industrial Production (Electrochemical Engineering and Corrosion) from the Universitat Politècnica de València/Spain. He is currently a Professor of the Institute of Hydraulic Research - UFRGS, in Environmental Sanitation. He has experience in advanced water, sewage and industrial effluent treatment processes aimed mainly at removing contaminants of emerging and re-emerging concerns. He also works in the field of synthesis, characterization, and application of new materials in electro- and photocatalysis processes and hybrid systems.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/3544281849360429

Dr. Kayo Santana Barros – Postdoctoral researcher

Dr. Kayo Barros works as a postdoc at the Post-Graduate Program in Mine, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS. He holds a double Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of São Paulo, Brazil – USP (2020) and in Engineering and Industrial Production from the Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain - UPV (2020). M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU (2016 and 2014, respectively). He has experience in the following topics: treatment of industrial effluents using membrane techniques, electrochemical systems focused on electrodialysis, electrodeposition, voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. In 2018 he was a Professor at the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Guarulhos (UNG).

M.Sc. Daniele Ribeiro – Ph.D. student

She currently works as Environmental Coordinator at Midea Carrier Ltda (since 2011) and worked for 12 years at the Petrochemical Complex at Oxiteno and Braskem (1998-2011). B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS (2000) and M.Sc. from the Post-Graduate Program in Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (PPG3M) of UFRGS (2019). In the master’s, she worked in the treatment of industrial wastewaters through coagulation/flocculation and adsorption processes. She is a Ph.D. student at PPG3M - UFRGS (2020). She has experience in industrial processes, risk analysis and environmental management.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/473516509742190

B.Sc. Belén Garrido – M.Sc. student

B.Sc. Belén Garrido earned the B.Sc. degree in Metallurgical Civil Engineering in 2016 from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile – USACH and is a M.Sc. candidate at this university (2017-present). She was a Process Engineer at Empirica Consultores Ltda. (2016-2017). Research assistant in CORFO project, which was directed by Dr. Gerardo Cifuentes (2016-2017). Research engineer in corrosion studies at the company Shimin Ingeniería (2016). Research assistant in the project CYTED (2018 - present). Co-author of 3 publications (Conferences and journals) and research reports.

B.Sc. Bruna Luísa Weschenfelder – M.Sc. student

B.Sc. Bruna Weschenfelder earned the B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidade Regional Integrada do Alto Uruguai e das Missões, Brazil, in 2019. Currently, she is a M.Sc. candidate at the Post-Graduate Program in Mine, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS, Brazil.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/8605987127419333

B.Sc. Vicente Schaeffer Vielmo - M.Sc. student at UFRGS

Master's Degree student at the Post-Graduate Program in Mine, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (PPGE3M - UFRGS), where he conducts research on waste treatment with emphasis on the recovery of antimony from copper mine tailings. Has a Bachelor's Degree in Materials Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (2018). Has experience in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, with emphasis on steel metallurgy. Worked in research and development of steel at OnderzoeksCentrum voor de Aanwending van Staal (2017/2018). Participated on powder metallurgy research at Laboratório de Transformação Mecânica - UFRGS (2016).

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/2485842116428153

Feevale University (Brazil)

Dr. Marco Antônio Siqueira Rodrigues - Leader of the research group from Feevale

Dr. Marco Rodrigues earned the B.Sc. degrees in Industrial Chemistry and Chemistry from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, and his Ph.D. degree in Engineering from the Post-Graduate Program in Mining, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering - PPGE3M/UFRGS. He completed his postdoctoral studies at the Polytechnic University of València - Spain. He is currently a Professor at the Institute of Exact and Technological Sciences of Feevale University. Research Productivity at CNPq Level II. Leader of the group Technology and Environmental Management at CNPq. Coordinator of the Laboratory of Materials, Technologies, and Processes of Treatment of Liquids: Aquarium of the Center of Clean Technologies of Feevale. He has experience in the field of Materials Engineering with emphasis on polymer applications, works mainly in the development of polymeric membranes applied in the treatment of effluents, metal recovery and energy production. In Sanitary Engineering, he works in the development and application of technologies and processes for the treatment of urban and industrial effluents (physical-chemical treatment, activated sludge, wetlands, membrane separation processes and advanced oxidative processes). He works in geo-monitoring of water resources, relating demographic aspects to changes in the water quality of watersheds (Rio dos Sinos and Rio Gravataí). He investigates the concentration (CG/CG-MS, HPLC, AAS) of emerging pollutants (drugs, pesticides, endocrine disruptors) and toxic metals (Hg, As, Cr, Ni, Cu) in public water supply, industrial and urban effluents (Lactuca sativa, Allium cepa, Eisenia fetida) to identify levels of toxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/2812827170752567

Dr. Carlos Leonardo Pandolfo Carone - Professor

Dr. Carlos Carone obtained the B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (1995), the M.Sc. degree in Materials Engineering and Technology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (2001) and the Ph.D. in Materials Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (2007) with a sandwich period (2005-2006) in the USA - University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). He worked as a post-doctorate at PUCRS in 2007, at UFRJ in 2008, at UFRGS in 2009, and at PUCRS in 2009. He has experience in Chemistry, with emphasis on Inorganic Chemistry. He works mainly in the following topics: resins, olefins, catalysts, polymerization, and copolymerization. He is an Associate Professor of Feevale University, a Professor of the Master's Program and Professional Doctorate in Technology of Materials and Industrial Processes of the Feevale University.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/2394186720178929

Dr. Fabrício Celso – Professor

Dr. Fabrício Celso is a researcher and Professor of the Feevale University. He earned the B.Sc. degree in Plastics Engineering from the Lutheran University of Brazil (2000), the M.Sc. degree in Materials Science and Technology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (2003) and the Ph.D. in Materials Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (2007). He holds a Post-Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from Laval University, Canada (2009). He has experience in the field of polymeric materials and works mainly in characterization, processing, and development of new polymeric materials for special applications (polymer membranes for fuel cells and electrodialysis). and reuse of polymeric residues.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/0579848322820211

B.Sc. Marcela Pereira da Silva – M.Sc. student

B.Sc. Marcela Silva earned the B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from the Feevale University - Brazil, in 2018. Currently, she is a M.Sc. candidate at the Feevale University – Brazil. Her investigations are focused mainly on electrodialysis, treatment of industrial effluents, and the development of polymeric membranes.

Lattes Curriculum: http://lattes.cnpq.br/5634263267359861

University of Santiago of Chile - USACH (Chile)

Dr. Gerardo Cifuentes Molina - Leader of the research group from USACH

Dr. Gerardo Cifuentes obtained the B.Sc. degree in Metallurgical Civil Engineer in 1986, M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from the Universidad de Concepción (Chile) in 1990 and 1998, respectively. His Ph.D. project was developed at the University of Concepción and at the Technical University of Berlin (Germany). He is currently a Professor of the Department of Metallurgical Engineering of the University of Santiago of Chile - USACH. He is also a Professor/researcher of the Post-Graduate Programs of the Engineering Department of USACH. His investigations are focused on electrometallurgy, corrosion, and treatment of industrial liquid wastes. Prof. Cifuentes has numerous publications in international and national journals and conference proceedings, patents, and published books on the treatment of industrial wastes. He also has developed projects on industrial applications in several national and international companies.

Dr. Eduardo Pino López – Professor

Dr. Eduardo Pino earned the B.Sc. degrees in Chemistry and Chemist from the University of Santiago of Chile - USACH in 1999. Earned the Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the University of Santiago of Chile in 2004. In 1999 and 2004 he worked as a research assistant at the Photochemical and Kinetics Laboratory – USACH. From 2005 to 2009, he worked as an Assistant Professor at the Photochemical and Photobiology Laboratory, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA. Currently, he is a Professor and researcher of the Kinetic and Photochemical Group, at the Chemistry and Biology Department from USACH since 2009.

Polytechnic University of València - UPV (Spain)

Dr. Valentín Pérez-Herranz - Leader of the research group from UPV

Dr. Valentín Pérez-Herranz earned his B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from the Universitat de València Estudi General (UV) and his Ph.D. degree from the Universitat Politècnica de València. In 1997 he became an Associate Professor of the UPV, and since 2003 he is Professor of Chemical Engineering at UPV. From 2002 until 2016 he was the director of the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering of the UPV.

His research activities are developed at the Institute for Industrial, Radiophysical and Environmental Safety (ISIRYM) at the UPV, in the research group of Electrochemical and Corrosion Engineering, which has been awarded by the Valencian Government as Research Group of excellence (PROMETEO/2010/039 and PROMETEOII/2014/009). He has over 140 published articles in international journals, over 2500 citations, and H index of 28. He awarded five patents and participated in more than 40 international or national R&D projects.

Prof. Pérez-Herranz works mainly in the fields of electrochemistry, electrochemical reactors and electromembrane processes applied to the recovery of metals, wastewaters treatment, and energy production/storage. This includes synthesis and characterization (structural, chemical, and electrochemical) of new electrode materials for Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOP) and for hydrogen production, in addition to modelling of electrochemical reactors and fuel cells.

With respect to electromembrane processes, the works of Prof. Pérez-Herranz focus on the development and characterization of ion-exchange ceramic membranes, the study of ion transport through ion-exchange membranes using electrochemical techniques, and the application of electromembrane processes to wastewaters treatment.

Dr. Emma María Ortega – Professor

In her Ph.D. project, Prof. Emma Ortega studied the influence of electrodes and separators on the electrochemical behavior of cadmium and cyanide from cadmium plating industries. Since then she has worked in the field of electrochemical engineering, mainly in energy applications for hydrogen production and PEMFC, in addition to environmental applications for the elimination and recovery of metals. She also works in the application of advanced electrochemical oxidation to remove emerging organic contaminants. In this field, she participates as a researcher in a Research Project funded by the European Union (LIFE-2-ACID).

The dissemination of her research projects has been done through over 55 publications in international journals (most of them located in the first quartile of the journal citation reports list) and in international conferences with ISBN proceedings. She has over 720 citations, an index H of 14, an index i10 of 22 and two six-year research for the periods: 2005-2010 and 2011-2016. She has done different postdoctoral stays: in the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, within the "Spanish-Brazilian program of inter-university cooperation", and in the Institut Européen des Membranes – Montpellier.

Dr. Montserrat García Gabaldón – Professor

In her Ph.D. project, Prof. Montserrat García Gabaldón studied the recovery of metals (Sn and Pd) through an electrochemical reactor with separated compartments. Since then, she has worked in the field of electrochemical engineering, mainly in environmental applications for the elimination and recovery of metals. She also works in the application of advanced electrochemical oxidation to remove emerging organic contaminants. In this field, she currently participates as a researcher in a Research Project funded by the European Union (LIFE-2-ACID). Likewise, she is the Principal Investigator of 3 Research Projects, she has participated in 2 Agreements with Companies and she was the winner of the Accesit of the VII Valencia Idea 2013 in the Energy and Environment Category.

The dissemination of her research projects has been done through over 40 publications in international journals (most of them located in the first quartile of the journal citation reports list) and in international conferences with ISBN proceedings. She has over 600 citations, index H of 14, an index i10 of 19 and two six-year research for the periods: 2002-2007 and 2008-2013. She has done different postdoctoral stays: at the Imperial College London and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, within the "Erasmus Mundus" program, and a predoctoral stay at Stanford University.

M.Sc. Magdalena Cifuentes Cabezas – Ph.D. student

MSc. Magdalena Cifuentes Cabezas earned her B.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering in 2015 from the University of Santiago of Chile. She obtained her M.Sc. degree in Industrial and Environmental Safety from the Polytechnic University of València (Spain) in 2017. She is a Ph.D. candidate at the Polytechnic University of València (Spain) and works in the treatment of wastewater from the olive oil process, to recover phenolic compounds and water resource at the same time.

In the field of research and development, she has participated in two technical assistance Project, IGT-935 FUDE-USACH and IGT-3432 SDT-USACH. She also has participated in FONDECYT, and currently she is part of the research project entitled "Implementation of membrane technology for the recovery of phenolic compounds present in the wastewater of the olive oil production industry" (CTM2017-88645-R).

Transducto S.A.

Dr. Gabriel Riveros

Dr. Gabriel Riveros earned the B.Sc. degree in Metallurgical Civil Engineering from the University of Concepción – Chile in 1973, M.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering and Ph.D. in Engineering. Transducto I&D Manager (2012-present), Professor of the Mining Engineering Dept. of University of Chile (1991-2012), R&D Director, Mining and Metallurgical Research (1978-1995), Process Engineer Caletones Smelter Division El Teniente Codelco Chile (1972-1977). He has extensive experience in extractive metallurgy of non-ferrous and ferrous metals, pyrometallurgy, electro-metallurgy and environment. Consultant in Chile, Finland, USA, Canada, and China. He works in fundamental and technological research. Environmental Consultant of SEA. Reviewer of R&D projects, national and international. Referee in Acredita CI College of Engineers of Civil Engineering careers. Specialist in project preparation. Project Director FONDEF (1997-2011), CORFO (2016-2017). Author and co-author of patents in Chile, Peru, Mexico, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Germany, and Russia. Author and co-author of nearly 100 publications (ISI, congresses, seminars, and publications) and countless research reports.

B.Sc. Juan Carvajal

B.Sc. Juan Carvajal earned the B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Zulia's University (LUZ), has high written and communication skills for English and French languages, is able to propose, promote and execute solutions at all levels. Has experience in all phases of new product development and implementation, from conception to production stages. He has contributed to major designs plans and layouts for Conventional and Unconventional Wellhead Equipment. He has developed Running Procedures in English and Spanish written. He has developed proposal drawings for projects located in Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Peru.

B.Sc. José Sanchez

B.Sc. José Sánchez earned the B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Zulia's University (LUZ), is able to propose and execute solutions at field labors. Solid, hands-on experience in the maintenance, installation, and repair of analytical instruments. He has a recognized ability to effectively resolve customers questions and issues. Assist product development team by collecting real-world data. Extremely enthusiastic about field labors focused on meeting customer needs to contribute to the ongoing improvements, optimizations, and updates for the mining industry