Emile van Zyl is the Senior Chair of Energy Research (CoER) : Biofuels and other alternative clean fuels at Stellenbosch University. He holds a PhD from Princeton University, USA in Molecular Biology.  He is professor in the Department of Microbiology and currently the acting Departmental Chair. His group has been active in the bio-fuel research field for more than 10 years, focussing specifically at the developing of next generation recombinant yeast that produced the necessary enzymes for efficient fermentation of all hexose and pentose sugars present in cellulose and hemicellulosics, the major polysaccharides present in plant material.

For more information, visit http://academic.sun.ac.za/Natural/microbio/WHVZresearch.htm

Marinda Bloom is a senior lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University and obtained her PhD (Microbiology) at the same institution.  She has been focusing on microbial enzymes involved in the bioprocessing of high-value agricultural products, with a specific focus on indigenous plant species.  Her group will focus on bioprospecting for new enzymes required for lignocellulose hydrolysis.  She also acts as administrative manager of the CoER.

For more information, visit http://academic.sun.ac.za/Natural/microbio/MBresearch.htm

Johann Görgens is senior lecturer in the Department of Process Engineering, obtained his PhD (Chemical Engineering) at the same institution. He has more than 10 years of research experience in renewable energy, which includes cultivation processes for ethanol production by recombinant yeast from plant biomass, process modelling and economic evaluation of renewable energy technologies in South Africa.

For more information, visit http://www.chemeng.sun.ac.za

Hansie Knoetze is professor in the Department of Process Engineering, and obtained his PhD (Chemical Engineering) at the same institution. He is one of the senior academic staff members within the Faculty of Engineering and at present also holds a part-time appointment as Deputy Dean (Teaching) within the Faculty.  Prof Knoetze has an excellent background in thermodynamics, thermochemistry and combustion with main interest in the thermal processing of biomass, such as pyrolysis, gasifications and thermal combustion. He also has expertise in process modelling of different processing options and combustion of different biofuels or biomass-derived fuels. 

For more information, visit http://www.chemeng.sun.ac.za

PROF HARRO VON BLOTTNITZ
Harro von Blottnitz joined the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town in 1998 after 8 years experience in industry and as Scientific Officer at Aachen University of Technology.He holds a Dr-Ing of Aachen University of Technology, Germany.  Prof. Von Blottnitz is currently associated professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering with main interests in the processing of biomass to fuels and the life cycle assessment of engineered processes to identify environmental improvement opportunities. His group also applies process and systems engineering skills to the closure of substance cycles in the economy, and to minimise environmental impacts by wastes and emissions, especially in South Africa’s resource processing industries.

For more information, visit http://www.chemeng.uct.ac.za