Empowering Future Scientists Through Collaboration, Training, and Innovation

Academic Exchange at the Core of INBIOWAL

Academic exchange is at the heart of the INBIOWAL project, fostering collaboration and skill development among researchers, PhD students, and MSc students. By offering long-term internships, short-term visits, workshops, and collaborative events, INBIOWAL creates opportunities for academic growth and strengthens the international network of scientists working on sustainable waste valorization.

Long-Term Internships and Short Visits

(WP2)

Unlocking Opportunities Across Borders

INBIOWAL provides structured programs for academic exchange, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience and conduct innovative research at partner institutions. These internships provide access to specialized infrastructure and advanced research facilities, focusing on areas such as biocatalytic processes, NADES applications, and microbial biomass production.

Long-Term Internships (WP2)

PhD students, MSc students, and researchers from UPWr can participate in internships lasting 2 to 3 months at leading institutions, including:

  • University of Zagreb (UniZg)
  • Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery (SCRR)
  • Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (SCITEC-CNR)
  • Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI)
  • University of Queensland (UQ)

Short-Term Visits (WP2)

Short visits ranging from 3 to 7 days are designed for experienced researchers to strengthen collaboration, discuss project progress, and identify future research directions. These visits also foster the preparation of joint scientific applications, enhancing INBIOWAL’s global impact.

Incoming Research Internships at UPWr

Two-week internships hosted at UPWr provide partner researchers with the opportunity to collaborate in cutting-edge labs and share expertise. These exchanges promote knowledge transfer and strengthen the consortium’s scientific capabilities.

Workshops and Training Programs (WP1, WP10)

Building Competence Through Hands-On Learning

Workshops organized by INBIOWAL partners are tailored to provide practical training and technical skills development. These events, attended by approximately 20 participants per session, cover a range of specialized topics:

  • Workshop on Rational Design of NADES for Natural Compound Extraction.

Organized by the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology at the University of Zagreb (UniZg), this training event focuses on innovative methods for utilizing Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) in the extraction of valuable bioactive compounds from industrial by-products.

Learn More About NADES Training
  • Workshops on Enzyme Use in Unconventional Media for Biomass Valorization and Fragrance Synthesis.

Organized by Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta” (SCITEC-CNR), this training provides practical sessions focused on the use of enzymes in unconventional media, such as NADES and ionic liquids, for biomass transformation and the synthesis of fragrance compounds.

Explore Enzymatic Valorization Workshop
  • Workshops on Bioprocesses in Membrane Bioreactors with Pilot-Scale Demonstration.

Organized by the Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery (SCRR), these workshops provide hands-on training in conducting bioprocesses within membrane bioreactors. Participants will also experience a pilot-scale demonstration of the installation and operation of this advanced technology, showcasing its potential in sustainable waste valorization.

Learn About Membrane Bioreactor Training

Expanding Knowledge Through Interactive Webinars

INBIOWAL hosts a series of webinars as part of WP1, designed to engage a broader audience of approximately 40 participants per session. These online events focus on essential topics such as grant writing, collaborative research strategies, and advancements in waste valorization technologies.

Led by experts from partner institutions, the webinars provide practical guidance on navigating funding opportunities, structuring impactful proposals, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Interactive Q&A sessions allow participants to connect with instructors and peers, enhancing learning and engagement.

Highlighted Webinar Topics by Partners:

Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery (SCRR) at University of Borås (UB):

  • Effective Writing of Grant Applications: Kicking off a series of networking meetings focused on preparing a scientific project application (Task 10), this webinar equips participants with essential skills for successful grant proposal development.

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta” SCITEC-CNR and Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI):

  • Continuous-Flow Biocatalysis: Exploring efficient and scalable enzyme-based processes.
  • High Throughput Screening Technologies: Techniques for rapid evaluation of biocatalytic reactions.
  • Enzymatic Activities for Organic Synthesis: Innovative methods for eco-friendly chemical production.
  • Synthesis of Flavours by Biocatalytic Processes: Developing sustainable approaches for creating flavor compounds.

University of Zagreb (UniZg):

  • Toward Industrial Implementation of NADES: Evaluating the environmental and economic sustainability of NADES-assisted processes.
  • Bioinspired Solvents: NADES based on natural osmoprotectants for biomolecule stabilization.
  • Rational Design of NADES: Tailoring NADES for applications in life sciences.

University of Queensland (UQ):

  • Innovative Approaches to Waste Valorization: Insights into molecular and synthetic biology methods.
  • Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction: Enhancing enzyme thermostability and selectivity.
  • Virus Particles as Novel Nanocarriers: Exploring the use of virus-like particles for enzyme delivery.
  • Role of P450 Enzymes in Waste Valorization: Advancing biocatalytic processes through enzyme engineering.
Explore Our Webinars

Networking and Collaboration

(WP1, WP3, WP10)

Connecting Scientists Across Disciplines

INBIOWAL’s academic exchange initiatives also emphasize building long-term partnerships and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration:

  • Networking Events (WP1): Held during consortium meetings, these sessions provide a platform for researchers to share their expertise, discuss challenges, and explore joint research opportunities.
  • Collaborative Research Planning (WP3, WP10): Small working groups meet to define key scientific problems, design biocatalytic pathways, and develop innovative solutions tailored to the project’s objectives.
  • Participation in Global Events (WP1, WP11): INBIOWAL researchers actively participate in international conferences and symposia, such as the 5th NextGenBiocat Symposium, promoting knowledge exchange on a global scale.

Impact and Benefits of Academic Exchange

Academic exchange is a key element of the INBIOWAL project, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development among researchers, PhD students, and MSc students. By enabling mobility programs and workshops, the initiative connects institutions and provides participants with the expertise needed to tackle critical challenges in waste valorization.

Key Impacts:

  • Knowledge Transfer: Mobility programs give researchers access to state-of-the-art facilities and cross-border expertise, enhancing research methodologies and innovation.
  • Skill Development: Participants gain practical experience in biocatalysis, NADES-based extraction, and molecular engineering, equipping them for industry-relevant applications.
  • Research Competences: Workshops provide training in grant writing and project planning, enhancing participants’ ability to secure funding and collaborate effectively.
  • Stronger Networks: By connecting researchers from five countries, INBIOWAL builds a collaborative scientific community that fosters innovation and shared expertise.

The program creates significant career and research opportunities, empowering participants to contribute to the advancement of waste valorization technologies and methods.