Dr Agustín Romero Vargas | Recycling and Circular Economy in Materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Agustín Romero Vargas is a Spanish postdoctoral researcher specializing in bioprocess engineering and bioresource valorization. With academic roots at the University of Cádiz, his career spans undergraduate to postdoctoral research in the same institution, driven by prestigious national fellowships. His expertise lies in converting invasive macroalgae into high-value biochemicals like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and caproic acid using microbial fermentation techniques. His work is defined by environmental impact mitigation, innovation in sustainable processes, and academic excellence.

Dr Agustín Romero Vargas, Universidad de Cádiz, Spain

Profile

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ORCID

Education

Dr. Romero Vargas completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biotechnology and later earned a Ph.D. in Agri-Food Resources from the University of Cádiz. His doctoral thesis graded cum laude with international mention focused on PHA production from macroalgae, showcasing his deep understanding of microbial fermentation, enzyme interactions, and advanced analytical techniques. Each academic phase was supported by competitive fellowships, and he consistently maintained high academic performance.

Experience

Professionally, Dr. Romero Vargas has held research roles throughout his academic progression from student collaborator to predoctoral and postdoctoral researcher. He contributed to Spain’s leading national research projects in PHA biosynthesis and chain elongation fermentation using model organisms like Cupriavidus necator and Clostridium kluyveri. His work includes lab-scale bioreactor operations, enzyme hydrolysis modeling, fermentation optimization, and analytics (HPLC, GC, TOC). He also completed international research stays in Greece and Spain to broaden his biotechnological impact.

Contributions

Dr. Agustín Romero Vargas has authored 10 peer-reviewed JCR-indexed articles, with 9 in Q1 journals and 4 in the top decile, alongside 9 conference presentations (national and international). His core focus lies in the valorization of macroalgae biomass notably Rugulopteryx okamurae for producing fermentable sugars and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). 🚢🧫 His optimized hydrolysate extraction and high-yield microbial fermentation with Cupriavidus necator have achieved performance levels comparable to the best in literature. These outcomes support sustainable biotechnology while addressing the ecological threat posed by invasive marine species.

Research Focus

Dr. Romero’s research explores sustainable biotechnology, particularly microbial valorization of invasive macroalgae into PHAs and short-chain fatty acids like caproic acid via dark fermentation. He employs reverse β-oxidation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and metabolic modeling to optimize yield and minimize environmental footprint. His interdisciplinary work aligns with global green technology priorities and contributes solutions to marine invasive species control. His collaborations span institutions in Spain and Greece, reinforcing the international value of his innovations.

Publications

Polyhydroxyalkanoates Production by Cupriavidus necator Using Dark Fermentation Effluents
Authors: Caro, I.; Romero-Vargas, A.; Huertas, J.
Journal: SSRN (2025)

Innovative Pretreatments for the Valorisation of the Invasive Macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae
Authors: Romero-Vargas, A.; Georgiadou, E.; Cabrera, G.; Fdez-Güelfo, L.A.; Blandino, A.; Koutinas, A.; Díaz Sánchez, A.B.
Journal: Industrial Crops and Products (2025)

Rugulopteryx okamurae: Effect of Microwave Pretreatment on PHB Fermentation
Authors: Romero-Vargas, A.; Fernández-Medina, P.; Blandino, A.; Álvarez-Gallego, C.J.; Díaz, M.J.
Journal: Industrial Crops and Products (2025)

Bioconversion of the Invasive Seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae into Enzymes and Polyhydroxyalkanoates
Authors: Romero-Vargas, A.; Cala, K.; Blandino, A.; Díaz, A.B.
Journal: Algal Research (2024)

Ultrasound Pretreatment of Third-Generation Biomass (Invasive Macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae) to Obtain Platform Biocommodities
Authors: León-Marcos, L.; Fuente-Zapico, E.; Romero-Vargas, A.; Blandino, A.; Romero-García, L.I.
Journal: Journal of Applied Phycology (2024)

Polyhydroxybutyrate Production from the Macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae: Effect of Hydrothermal Acid Pretreatment
Authors: Romero-Vargas, A.; Fdez-Güelfo, L.A.; Blandino, A.; Díaz, A.B.
Journal: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (2024)

Ultrasound Pretreatment to Enhance the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Dictyota dichotoma for Sugars Production
Authors: Romero-Vargas, A.; Muñoz, I.; Marzo, C.; Díaz, A.B.; Romero-García, L.I.; Blandino, A.
Journal: Algal Research (2023)

Mr Valentin Menoury | Recycling and Circular Economy in Materials | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Valentin Laurent Sylvain Menoury 🎓 is a passionate PhD researcher at INRAE, France 🇫🇷, focusing on sustainable alternatives to toxic solvents in agri-food systems 🌱. With an MSc in Animal Nutrition & Metabolism from Wageningen University 🇳🇱 (cum laude) and an engineering degree from ESA, Angers 🧪, his research explores biobased solvents like 2-methyloxolane for oilseed meal processing. He was the first to identify n-hexane residues in milk 🥛, a key food safety breakthrough. Valentin’s interdisciplinary work 🤝 blends science, sustainability 🌍, and innovation 💡, making him a rising star in agricultural and environmental research.

Education 🎓

Valentin Menoury’s academic journey spans leading European institutions. He began at ESA, École Supérieure des Agricultures d’Angers (2016 – 2020), earning an Agricultural Engineering degree in Animal Science 🎓🌾. He then completed an MSc in Animal Sciences—Animal Nutrition & Metabolism at Wageningen University & Research (2019 – 2022), graduating cum laude 🥇🐄. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Animal Sciences at Université Clermont Auvergne (2022 – 2025), investigating biobased solvents for dairy cow nutrition 🔬🥛. This robust educational foundation underpins his expertise and demonstrates his commitment to advancing sustainable livestock nutrition and environmental stewardship 🌍🌿.

Experience 💼

Valentin Menoury is currently a PhD student at INRAe (UMR Herbivores), where he is leading research on sustainable agriculture 🌱. His project focuses on replacing hexane, a toxic solvent used in oilseed processing, with 2-methyloxolane, a biobased alternative, aiming to enhance dairy cow nutrition 🐄🥛. Valentin has also contributed to animal nutrition research during his time as a Master’s student at Wageningen University & Research 🏫, where he graduated cum laude. His work bridges environmental sustainability with animal science, advancing both animal health and milk quality 🌿💧.

Research Focus 🔬

Valentin Menoury’s research focuses on sustainable agriculture and dairy science 🌱🐄. He pioneers the replacement of hexane with 2-methyloxolane to produce defatted oilseed meals, studying their impact on dairy cow nutrition, digestibility, and welfare 🥛🔬. His work evaluates feed formulation, fermentation metrics, and milk quality parameters such as fatty acid profile and residue levels 📊🧪. Through controlled feeding trials and advanced statistical analyses, he ensures safe, high-quality dairy products while reducing environmental and health risks 🌍🛡️. Collaborating with international experts, he seeks to optimize feed rations and milk composition, driving innovation in sustainable dairy production 🚀. He drives future innovation.

Contributions 🚀

Mr. Menoury’s contributions center on replacing petroleum‑derived hexane with biobased 2‑methyloxolane for soybean meal defatting 🌱. He conducted controlled feeding trials in dairy cows, using analytical methods and collaboration with WUR statisticians, demonstrating the first detection of n‑hexane residues in milk from hexane‑defatted meals 🥛⚠️. This pioneering work underlines potential health risks and supports regulatory reevaluation by EFSA, ECHA, and BAuA in the EU 🇪🇺. By assessing feed digestibility and nutritional profiles, he established 2‑methyloxolane as an effective, safe alternative 🔬✔️. His findings promise to transform oilseed processing, enhance food safety, and advance sustainable agriculture with reduced environmental impact 🌾🚀.

Publications 📖

Replacing hexane with 2‑methyloxolane for defatting soybean meal fed to dairy cows: Effects on dairy performance and nitrogen partitioning
• Authors: V. Menoury; A. Ferlay; C. Ginane; G. Cantalapiedra‑Hijar; S. Lemosquet; D. Andueza; G.G.R. Leday; J. Engel; P. Nozière

Productive performance of dairy cows fed with 2‑methyloxolane‑defatted soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower meals
• Authors: V. Menoury; A. Ferlay; P. Nozière

2‑Methyloxolane can replace hexane for defatting soybean meal fed to cows without affecting dairy performance, rumen VFA proportions and major fatty acid secretion in milk
• Authors: V. Menoury; P. Nozière; G. Leday; J. Engel; A. Ferlay

Replacing hexane by 2‑methyloxolane for defatting soybean meal does not affect nitrogen utilisation
• Authors: V. Menoury; A. Ferlay; G. Cantalapiedra‑Hijar; S. Lemosquet; G. Leday; J. Engel; P. Nozière

Replacing hexane by 2‑methyloxolane for defatting soybean meal does not impair dairy cow performance
• Authors: V. Menoury; A. Ferlay; L. Jacques; V. Rapinel; P. Nozière