Personal profile
Research Interests
Dr Alfred Fernández-Castañé is Reader in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Aston University and a Principal Investigator at the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME). His research focuses on the development of sustainable and scalable bioprocesses, integrating microbial biotechnology, biocatalysis, and fermentation engineering to produce high-value bio-based products. His work includes the biomanufacturing of magnetic biomaterials (magnetosomes), biodegradable biopolymers, and enzymes for biofuels and industrial applications, with a strong emphasis on translating research into industrial and environmental impact.
Contact Details
Education/Academic qualification
PhD in Biotechnology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
1 Oct 2008 → 20 Apr 2012
Award Date: 20 Apr 2012
MSc in Advanced Biotechnology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
1 Oct 2007 → 1 Sept 2008
Award Date: 30 Sept 2008
BSc Biology, Universitat de Barcelona
15 Sept 2000 → 28 Feb 2007
Award Date: 1 Feb 2007
Keywords
- TS Manufactures
- Magnetic biomaterials
- High-value bioproducts
- QD Chemistry
- Biotechnology
- Biochemical Engineering
- TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
- Renewable Energies
- Bioproducts
- L Education (General)
- Research-Informed teaching
- Q Science (General)
- Applied Microbiology
- Biotechnological Products
- TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Fermentation Technoogy
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Research output
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Green solvents for the extraction and bioutilisation of metals from coal fly ash by Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR1
Bond, J., Martinez, M. M., Sutherland, A., Overton, T. W., Goddard, A., Najdanovic, V., Chevrier, D. M., Gomez Gonzalez, M. A. & Fernandez-Castane, A., 1 Mar 2026, In: Chemosphere. 396, 17 p., 144839.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Lactic acid from crude glycerol as a renewable resource for the cultivation of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1
Martin De Prado , P., Khan, M., Hierro-Iglesias, C., Masó-Martínez, M., Onwudili, J. & Fernandez-Castane, A., 7 May 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Food and Bioproducts Processing.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Whole-cell biotechnological applications with thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeota: Opportunities and challenges
Igbojionu, L. I., Martinez, M. M., Goddard, A. D. & Fernandez-Castane, A., Jan 2026, In: Process Biochemistry. 160, p. 86-101 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
A comparative study of effect of polyol-based and acid-based deep eutectic solvents pretreatment of rice straw under autoclave conditions on cellulose enrichment and digestibility
Igbojionu, L. I., Manayil, J. C. & Fernandez-Castane, A., 6 Sept 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 15, 24, p. 31107-31120 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)5 Downloads (Pure) -
A comparative study of effects of microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvents pretreatment of rice straw on cellulose enrichment and enzymatic digestibility
Igbojionu, L. I., Mao, Y., Binner, E. & Fernandez-Castane, A., 1 Dec 2025, In: Cellulose. 32, 18, p. 10513-10528 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (SciVal)1 Downloads (Pure)