The main subject of his research is selective hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reactions, kinetic modelling, catalytic growth of carbon nanofibers, design of structured (e.g. metal-fibrous and polymer-based) supports and synthesis/characterization of new generation catalysts, e.g. nitrides and carbides, aiming to gain a fundamental understanding of the parameters that control the catalytic response. His research interests span from the design and development of novel catalytic materials, kinetic modelling and new reactor engineering concepts towards sustainable manufacturing processes for the chemical industry.

2013 - 2009 Research Scientist, Sustainable Heterogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

Maximising the selective production of high value products is the key challenge facing the chemical sector in the 21^st century where the sustainability demands provide the driving force for enhanced selectivity, avoiding costly downstream separations, treatment and disposal.  The development of cleaner alternatives is crucial.  Over the past four years the research activites I have been devoted to have been centred on this necessity.

2005 - 2009 PhD in Chemical Engineering "Catalytic Hydrogenation of Aromatic Nitro compounds", Heriot-Watt University

In the past few years, there has been an increased stringency in environmental legislation.  This has lead to a high demand for the development of environmentally acceptable and sustainable manufacturing processes.  My PhD work deals with catalytic hydrogenation as a cleaner route to commercially important amino derivates.  My model target product, para-chloroaniline, is a high production volume chemical extensively used as an intermediate in several industries (i.e. agricultural chemicals, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products).  My results demonstrate that catalytic hydrogenation over a range of transition metals (Ni, Pd and AU) based catalysts in continuous flow gas operation is a more economically viable and process effient alternative.