Teaching Staff

Doctorate in Chemical Engineering (IQS, 1987). Masters in Chemical Sciences and Biochemistry (Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 1987). Chemical Engineering (IQS, 1982). Post-doctoral researcher of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (University of California, Berkeley, USA, 1998-1999). Researcher at Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (1990-1992).

Academic post: Professor, 2002 - current

Modules taught: Biochemistry, Advanced Analytical Chemistry, Enzymology and Protein Chemistry, Food Products (postgraduate), Protein Engineering (postgraduate), Biochemical Instrumentation (postgraduate), Electrophoretic Techniques (postgraduate) and Enzymes in Organic Synthesis (postgraduate).

Research projects:
1. Structural/functional analysis of recombining glycosidases: mechanistic enzymology and protein engineering.
2. Glycosyntases: chemo-enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates.
3. α-1,3-galactosyltransferase: a key enzyme in biosynthesis of xenoantigens. Structural/functional analysis for designing inhibitors.
4. Biosynthesis of the plant cell wall: enzymology and protein engineering of xyloglucan endotransferases.

e-mail: antoni.planas@iqs.edu

Doctorate in Sciences (Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 1992). Masters in Basic Microbiology (Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 1991). Masters in Veterinary Studies (Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 1988).

Academic post: Senior Lecturer, 2003 - current
Coordinator of MA in Food Chemistry and Engineering.

Modules taught: Microbiology, Food Safety and the IACCP System (post-graduate), Food Analysis (post-graduate).

Research projects:
1. Mycotoxins in food.
2. Food microbiology.
3. Predictive microbiology.

e-mail: montserrat.agut@iqs.edu

Doctorate in Industrial Engineering (Universitat Ramon Llull, 2004). Industrial Engineering specialising in Chemistry (IQS, 1998). Chemical Engineering (IQS, 1998), Postdoctoral researcher in Bioprocesses (2003-04, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA).

Academic post: Associate Professor, 2000 - current

Modules taught: Chemical Reactors and Applied Thermodynamics.

Research projects:
1. Biomining. Techniques for mineral mining and bioremediation through the use of bacterial organisms.
2. Uncertainty analysis and the optimization of biotechnological processes.
3. Design and optimization of reactors and bioreactors.

e-mail: kilian.aviles@iqs.edu

Doctorate in Chemistry (2003, URL), Chemical Engineer (1998, IQS), Masters in Chemistry and Nutritional Engineering (1997, IQS), Bachelors in Chemistry (1996, URL), Postdoctoral Researcher in Integrated functional genomics approach for rational improvement of lactic acid bacteria as cell factories (2003-2004, Wageningen Center for Food Sciences, Holland).

Academic post: Associate Professor, 2004-

Modules taught: Experimentation in Chemistry II,
Nutritional products (postgraduate).

Research projects:
1. Chemical and enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates
2.Metabolic engineering of Lactobacillus plantarum.

e-mail: magda.faijes@iqs.edu

Doctorate in Sciences, specialising in Macromolecular Chemistry (Rheinisch-Westfäliche Technische Hochschule Aachen, 1999). Degree in Chemistry (1996, URL). Chemical Engineering (IQS, 1996).

Academic post: Associate Lecturer, 2002 - current

Modules taught: Tutor for final year projects at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Research projects:
1. Tissue engineering applied to development of cardiovascular prostheses.
2. Mechanical stimuli to instruct adult stem cells.
3. Designing microstructured surfaces.

e-mail: merche@mit.edu