Bigger Picture Talks

See the bigger picture, join the discussion

Bigger Picture Talks is the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology’s flagship seminar series, running throughout the academic year. The series brings together leading researchers, innovators and industry experts from around the world who are driving advances in our strategic areas of healthcare, sustainability and energy.

Through these talks, we explore emerging ideas, breakthrough discoveries and some of the wider questions shaping science and engineering today. The series provides an opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers, develop new connections and collaborations, and gain fresh perspectives that can inform and enrich our own research.

Who can attend?

The seminars are primarily intended for members of the Department, but many talks are open to the wider University of Cambridge community and, in some cases, external audiences.

Attendance is expected for CEB postgraduate research students and forms an important part of the Department’s wider research training and development environment.

You can find our upcoming seminars on our talks.cam listings, and find out more about our speakers below.

Get in touch:

Bigger Picture Talks is a series of seminars organised by Dr Shelly Singh-Gryzbon, on behalf of the CEB Research Committee, and held at the department during term time.

Dr Singh-Gryzbon is always keen to hear from interested parties with feedback and suggestions for future talks.

2025/26

George Gordon | 28 October 2026

Can we make cameras as thin as a hair?
Building tiny imaging devices with fibres, metasurfaces and AI

DR GEORGE GORDON

Assistant Professor – Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Abstract

Demand for critical metals such as lithium and rare earth elements is expected to increase dramatically as the transition to clean energy accelerates. However, extracting these materials from complex, dilute sources requires large amounts of energy, water and chemicals. This talk explores two approaches to more sustainable separations: an electrically powered membraneless water extraction process for concentrating hypersaline brines and recovering valuable salts, and a computational framework for designing next-generation membrane materials. Together, these approaches offer new routes to reducing the environmental footprint of separations while supporting the growing demand for critical materials needed in the clean energy transition.

About the speaker

Conventional cameras and microscopes are built by combining lenses, detectors and illumination systems, with better performance often requiring many large optical components. But what happens when the imaging system needs to be thinner than a millimetre, or even as narrow as a human hair? In this talk, I will explore how we can rethink the architecture of an imaging system to make it dramatically smaller. I will describe approaches ranging from miniature electronic cameras and optical fibres to nanostructured optical elements that manipulate light on extremely small scales. I will also discuss how computational imaging and artificial intelligence can compensate for information that is distorted, scrambled or never directly measured by the hardware. Rather than treating optics, sensors and computation as separate components, these approaches allow us to design them together as a single imaging system. I will finish with a case study of how we are bringing these ideas together in an ultra-thin imaging instrument for detecting pancreatic cancer, and the steps involved in translating this technology towards clinical use.

2026/27

Akshay Deshmukh | 27 May 2026

Designing sustainable separations for the clean energy transition

DR AKSHAY DESHMUKH

Research Group Leader – Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Abstract

About the speaker

Dr Akshay Deshmukh is one of CEB’s newest Research Group Leaders. His research focuses on developing computational tools and materials for sustainable separations, particularly for critical metals recovery. Before joining Cambridge, he completed his PhD at Yale University and held research positions at MIT, working on desalination, water extraction processes and membrane technologies.

Johan Hult | 8 May 2026

Developing future marine engines running on ammonia and other green fuels

JOHAN HULT

Principal Engineer

Abstract

Ammonia is emerging as one of the leading fuel options for decarbonising the shipping industry. In this talk, Johan Hult explores the development of Everllence’s ammonia-fuelled marine engine, designed to deliver high-efficiency combustion while achieving greenhouse gas reductions of more than 90%. He will discuss how advances in fuel injection and emissions control technologies have enabled low ammonia and NOx emissions, and outline the journey from concept to commercial deployment. With the first 13 MW commercial engine expected to enter service by the end of 2026, Johan will also consider the wider role of alternative marine fuels, including methanol and ethanol.

About the speaker

Johan Hult is Principal Engineer at Everllence, where he leads the development of ammonia-fuelled marine engine technologies. Over the past 15 years, he has focused on engine concepts and ignition systems for new marine fuels. He previously held an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship at CEB and earned his PhD in Combustion Physics from Lund University.

Vasiliki Karanikola | 18 March 2026

Community-based participatory research on food-energy-water projects

DR VASILIKI KARANIKOLA

Associate Professor – University of Arizona

Abstract

Around 1.8 billion people rely on contaminated water sources, creating an urgent need for effective and accessible water treatment technologies. In this talk, Dr Vasiliki Karanikola discusses the development of solar-powered nanofiltration and UV treatment systems designed for remote and off-grid communities with minimal energy and chemical requirements. Drawing on partnerships with the Navajo Nation, she explores how community engagement has shaped system design and implementation. The talk also examines challenges associated with intermittent operation, emerging contaminants and plastic-derived pollutants, highlighting how field-based research can inform more sustainable and effective water treatment solutions.

About the speaker

Dr Vasiliki (Vicky) Karanikola is Associate Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on sustainable water treatment technologies and the water-energy nexus. She is Director of the KORES Lab and has received several awards recognising both her research and collaborations with Tribal Nations.

Jenny Molloy | 25 February 2026

Boosting local biomanufacturing in the global South to impact health and sustainability

DR JENNY MOLLOY

Assistant Research Professor – University of Cambridge

Abstract

Enzymes are essential tools in synthetic biology and molecular diagnostics, yet their production is concentrated in a small number of regions and often depends on complex cold-chain distribution networks. This can limit access to vital research tools, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In this talk, Dr Jenny Molloy explores how open-source DNA toolkits and distributed biomanufacturing approaches can help democratise access to enzyme production. Drawing on their adoption in more than 500 laboratories across 40 countries, she discusses how local manufacturing could strengthen health innovation, improve resilience to supply-chain disruptions, and empower researchers to address local challenges through synthetic biology.

About the speaker

Dr Jenny Molloy is an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Cambridge and Group Leader at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). Her research focuses on open technologies for engineering biology and the potential of distributed biomanufacturing to improve access to diagnostics, research tools and healthcare innovation globally.

Rulande Rutgers | 11 February 2026

Turning start-ups into reality with chemical engineering

RULANDE RUTGERS

Chief Technology Officer – Thermulon Ltd

Abstract

Chemical engineering plays a crucial role in turning innovative ideas into real-world technologies. In this talk, Rulande Rutgers reflects on her career across three continents and five industries, sharing lessons from developing and scaling sustainable technologies from concept to commercial reality. Drawing on experiences spanning start-ups, multinational companies and academia, she explores the challenges of translating research into products and processes, the importance of collaboration between engineers and scientists, and the practical realities of bringing first-of-a-kind technologies to market.

About the speaker

Rulande Rutgers is Chief Technology Officer at Thermulon Ltd. and has held senior engineering and technology leadership roles at Johnson Matthey, Econic Technologies and Plantic Technologies. She specialises in scaling innovative processes and products from laboratory to commercial deployment. Rulande holds degrees from Delft and the University of Cambridge.

Paula Mendoza-Moreno | 26 November 2025

The hydrogen catalyst − removing a quantum barrier to fuel sustainable aviation

PAULA MENDOZA-MORENO

2024 Robin Paul prize lecture

Abstract

Liquid hydrogen has the potential to transform sustainable aviation, but its storage and distribution remain major challenges. In this talk, Paula Mendoza-Moreno explores how the conversion between ortho- and para-hydrogen affects liquid hydrogen stability, efficiency and evaporation losses during storage. Drawing on recent research, she discusses how optimising this conversion process can reduce energy demands during liquefaction while improving storage performance. The talk highlights the implications for hydrogen-powered aviation, demonstrating how advances in liquid hydrogen infrastructure could significantly reduce emissions and support the development of practical, large-scale sustainable aviation systems.

About the speaker

Paula Mendoza-Moreno is a Gates Cambridge Scholar and final-year PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on overcoming challenges in liquid hydrogen storage and distribution for sustainable aviation. By combining theoretical chemistry, quantum mechanics and process design, she develops solutions to improve the efficiency and sustainability of hydrogen fuel systems.

Dr Antonio del Rio Chanona | 29 October 2025

AI-driven chemical processes: From human-in-the-loop to self-optimising labs

DR ANTONIO DEL RIO CHANONA

Associate Professor at Imperial College London

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is transforming how chemical processes are designed, optimised and operated. In this talk, Antonio del Rio Chanona explores how AI technologies, including Bayesian optimisation, large language models and reinforcement learning, are enabling more autonomous and self-improving laboratory and industrial systems. He discusses how these approaches can accelerate process development, improve decision-making and support real-time optimisation of complex chemical and bioprocesses. The talk highlights the emerging vision of AI-driven process innovation and its potential to deliver faster, safer and more sustainable solutions for the chemical sciences and industry.

About the speaker

Dr Antonio del Rio Chanona is Associate Professor and Head of the Optimisation and Machine Learning for Process Systems Engineering Group at Imperial College London. A former CEB PhD student, he was awarded the Department’s Danckwerts-Pergamon Prize for the best doctoral thesis of his year. His research focuses on data-driven optimisation, reinforcement learning, large language models and hybrid modelling for chemical systems.

2024/25

Professor Fiona Macleod | 6 May 2025

Bhopal 40 years on – What have we learned?

PROFESSOR FIONA MACLEOD

Abstract

Professor Macleod reflected on the legacy of the 1984 Bhopal disaster, examining what caused the accident, why it was never fully investigated, and what lessons it continues to offer for modern process safety and industrial responsibility.

About the speaker

Chartered chemical engineer, Cambridge alumna and Professor of Process Safety at the University of Sheffield.

Professor Zoe Kourtzi | 26 February 2025

AI for better brain and mental health

PROFESSOR ZOE KOURTZI

Abstract

Professor Kourtzi discussed how artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches are helping to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disease and mental health conditions.

About the speaker

Professor of Computational Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, Royal Society Industry Fellow and Co-Director of Cambridge’s Centre for Data Driven Discovery.

Dr Alessandra Quadrelli | 6 February 2025

Situated green chemistries

DR ALESSANDRA QUADRELLI

Abstract

Dr Quadrelli explored the concept of ‘situated green chemistries’, a framework for rethinking sustainable chemistry through diverse perspectives and transdisciplinary approaches.

About the speaker

Director of Research at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), France. Her research focuses on materials for CO₂ reduction and new approaches to sustainable chemistry.

Dr Adelina Voutchkova-Kostal | 13 November 2024

Alcohols to sustainable aviation fuel mixture via multifunctional catalysis

DR ADELINA VOUTCHKOVA-KOSTAL

Dr Agnieszka (Aga) Iwasiewicz-Wabnig FRSA | 17 October 2024

The role of science and technology in delivering a healthy, resilient society by 2051

DR AGNIESZKA (AGA) IWASIEWICZ-WABNIG FRSA

Chartered chemical engineer, Cambridge alumna and Professor of Process Safety at the University of Sheffield.

2023/24

Professor Sarah Tabrizi (UCL) – New genetic therapies for Huntington’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases
Professor Shelly Singh-Gryzbon (CEB) – Pre-procedural planning of transcatheter heart valve interventions with clinical imaging and in silico modelling
Professor Michael Grätzel (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) – From molecular photovoltaics to perovskite solar cells
Professor Marcella McManus (University of Bath) – One and one isn’t always two – the arithmetic of carbon
Professor Tim Korter (Syracuse University) – Can you hear the shape of a crystal?

Previous Bigger Picture Talks

Professor Gregory Patience – Research perspectives in chemical engineering
Professor Maya Kaelberer – Gut sensing
Saied Dardour – Insights into the decarbonisation of the energy sector
Professor Paul Fennell – Cement, iron and steel: steps to net zero, and beyond
Professor Alvaro Mata – From biological organisation principles to supramolecular biofabrication and tissue engineering
Professor Chihaya Adachi – The past, present and future prospects of OLEDs
Professor Constantin Coussios – Engineering tomorrow’s cancer therapies
Professor Roland Clift – The role of chemical engineering in sustainable development
Professor Lorenzo di Michele – Synthetic cells: microrobots with life-like behaviours

Bigger Picture Talks