Newcastle University

Background

I am RA & consultant Working in Process Intensification and Miniaturization group, I trained as Chemistry Teacher from Cuba, in 1997 I move to England and 2001 I obtained my Bsc degree in Chemistry with Chemical Engineering in Northumbria University followed by master in Sustainable Chemical Engineering at Newcastle university finally in January 2009 I have achieved a interdisciplinary PhD, the research covered: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, Polymerisation, Material Science and Process Intensification and Miniaturisation, with thesis title “Bioprocess Intensification of Antibiotic Production using Functionalised PolyHIPE Polymer”.

The key achievements during my research was
• Patented one part of research work related to material science and polymerisation (US Patent application 11/403,996) and another patent application is in preparation.
• Examine potential industrial applications in the development of new drugs, separation process and intensified bioreactors for more efficient bioprocessing.

Roles and Responsibilities

Working in Process Intensification and Miniaturization group.
My duties comprise of
• Research and consultancy.
• Co-supervisor of PhD student.

Qualifications

2005 - 2009 PhD in the School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials, Newcastle University, United Kingdom.

2003 - 2004 MSc in Sustainable Chemical Engineering
School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials,Newcastle University

1998 - 2001 BSc (Hon) Degree in Chemistry with Chemical Engineering, University of Northumbria at Newcastle

1991-1994 Chemistry Lectures in Institute of Higher Education “Enrique Jose Varona” Cuba

1987-1991 Primary Qualified Teachers in Institute of Education “Frank País Garcia” Cuba

Previous Positions

2009-2010 Visiting Research Associate, School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials, Newcastle University

Memberships

Member of SCI

Languages

Bilingual (Portuguese/Spanish),English; Advanced Level, Italian; Beginner.

Informal Interests

Fashion design, Painting, Cooking, reading, playing chess, listening to music and dancing

Research Interests

My research interests’ fields include, Inorganic Chemistry, Material Science, Gasification Process, Process Intensification and miniaturisation, Biomaterial and Biocatalysts.

Other Expertise

• Solid State Fermentation Process
• Destillation Process

Current Work

• Syngas production through Biomass gasification
Project Leader: Prof. G. Akay

• Production of monolithic membrane for separation process.
Project Leader: Prof. G. Akay

Future Research

leading a study in developing Syngas Fermentation the research which aims to produce renewable and sustainable energy from Syngas/microbial fermentation using integrated gasification/fermentation treatment system.

Research Roles

My duties comprise of
• Research into development and functionalisation of high internal phase emulsions and micro-porous polymer.
• CoPIREDE project in production of monolithic membrane for separation process.
• Co-supervisor of PhD student.

Esteem Indicators

Ndlovu, T.M. Akay, G., Ward, A. C. Bioprocess Intensification of bacterial antibiotic production on a substrate matrix. 17th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING (CHISA 2006), 27-31 August, Prague - Czech Republic.

G. Akay Z.Z. Noor, O.F. Calkan, T. M. Ndlovu and D. Burke, Intensification of chemical reactions in micro-porous media: Preparation of functional nano-structured micro-porous polymeric monoliths for micro-bioreactors, 232th ACS National Meeting, September 10-14, 2006, San Francisco, USA

Industrial Relevance

Commercial exploitation measures are currently underway.

Patents

Akay, G., Ndlovu, T.M., Calkan, O.F., Burke, D., & Noor, Z.Z. Microwave functionalisation of PolyHIPE. USA Patent Application: 11/403,996, 2006

• Boodhoo KVK, Vicevic M, Cartwright CD, Ndlovu T, Toogood EC. Intensification of gas-liquid mass transfer using a rotating bed of porous packings for application to an E. coli batch fermentation process. Chemical Engineering Journal 2008, 135(1-2), 141-150.