Dr Luis Toronjo-Urquiza

I attained my degree in Biochemistry at the University of Seville (Spain). As part of this, I spent my final 2 academic years abroad. First at the Department of Agriculture at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy), studying Food Process Engineering, and second, at Hawaii Pacific University in the United States, studying Physical Chemistry and Molecular Biology.

Following this, I completed my Master of Biological and Bioprocess Engineering at The University of Sheffield, focusing my research on the study of microalgae biomass production and disruption by alternative technologies.

I then completed my PhD in biopharmaceutical production, specialising in production, purification and analytical characterisation of recombinant monoclonal antibodies in mammalian cells.

Subsequently, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Sheffield Hallam University in a collaborative program, studying the effect of food polyphenols on inflammatory pathways of 3D human cartilage tissue cultures.

Most recently, I am honoured to have been offered a position as a lecturer at the University of Adelaide School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials.

My experience across Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy the USA and Spain has enabled me to work in the interface of Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Bioprocessing and Analytical Biochemistry. Some of my areas of interest are:

- The development of new processes for the extraction of natural-origin pharmaceutical products
- The transformation of industrial waste into secondary high-value food and pharmaceutical products
- The study of stability and formulation of pharmaceuticals
- The advance and optimisation of current processes such as beer and wine fermentation.