Personal profile
Biography
Nik has undertaken research in downstream processing, protein recovery and cellular therapies since completing a PhD at University College London in 1999. He spent several years working in commercial protein purification development for Metris Therapeutics, before returning to UCL to continue downstream bioprocessing research at the industry-academic border, helping to establish the EPSRC-funded Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre for Bioprocessing (IMRC). In 2006 Nik established a bioprocessing research group at HWU and the group currently researches novel separation methods, process development, scale-up and sustainable bioprocessing. Nik’s group has developed novel separation processes for cell therapies as well as processes for the recovery of proteins and amino acids from such diverse raw materials as malt whisky by-products and langoustine shells. Nik was also instrumental in the spinout of Horizon Proteins, a company that seeks to add value to distillery by-products through recovery of high-quality protein for feed applications, and currently acts as CTO for the company. Nik is also chair of the Scottish Bioeconomy Council, responsible for the development of the National Plan for Industrial Biotechnology in Scotland
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):
-
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
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
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
-
Effect of protein hydrolysis on the emulsifying properties of collagen and its hydrolysates extracted from leather by‐products
Phee, M., Bowden, W., Euston, S. R., Hems, S., Willoughby, N. & Stewart, K., Sept 2025, In: Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. 100, 9, p. 1885-1896 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)28 Downloads (Pure) -
OE-4-1 Extraction and properties of protein extracted from fungal fermentations
Euston, S. R., Lonchamp, J., Munialo, C., Stewart, K. & Willoughby, N., 25 Mar 2025, In: New Biotechnology . 85, p. 136 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting abstract › peer-review
Open AccessFile28 Downloads (Pure) -
Research Trends on Valorisation of Agricultural Waste Discharged from Production of Distilled Beverages and Their Implications for a “Three-Level Valorisation System”
Stewart, K., Willoughby, N. & Zhuang, S., 9 Aug 2024, In: Sustainability. 16, 16, 6847.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)120 Downloads (Pure) -
Recycling Potential of Brewer’s Spent Grains for Circular Biorefineries
Agrawal, D., Gopaliya, D., Willoughby, N., Khare, S. K. & Kumar, V., Apr 2023, In: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 40, 100748.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile40 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)276 Downloads (Pure) -
The influence of yeast format and pitching rate on Scotch malt whisky fermentation kinetics and congeners
Reid, S., Speers, R. A., Lumsden, W., Willoughby, N. & Maskell, D. L., 10 Jul 2023, In: Journal of the Institute of Brewing. 129, 2, p. 1-17 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)648 Downloads (Pure)
Impacts
-
Horizon Proteins: Circular Economy Innovation from Whisky By-Product to Fish Feedstock
Willoughby, N. (Participant), Maskell, D. L. (Participant) & White, J. (Participant)
Impact: Economic, Environmental
File