Shiwen Zhuang

Dr Shiwen Zhuang is an experienced yeast and fermentation scientist with working experience in brewing and biotechnology industries. He has worked in Carlsberg (Denmark), Calysta (UK) and Scotland's Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre before taking on his current role at Heriot-Watt in 2022, as a member of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD).

Previously, Shiwen was a Senior Fermentation Scientist and Team Leader at Scotland's Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), where he delivered multiple client-facing scale-up projects and developed the Centre's first fermentation training program. Prior to that, Shiwen was a Fermentation Engineer at Calysta Ltd. UK, a global leader in sustainable single-cell protein production by fermenting natural gas (>90% methane). Shiwen played a key role in process development using a patented loop fermenter at a market introduction facility. He also led the design and commissioning of a scaled-down laboratory for gas fermentation and contributed to international technology transfer in collaboration with investors and the global operational teams. 

• (Gas) Fermentation-based alternative proteins
• High-gravity fermentation for brewing and distilling
• Valorisation of agri-food waste, such as distiller's spent grains
• Yeast-based biotechnology for sustainable biomanufacturing

Shiwen has received funding from BBSRC, EPSRC, Scottish Funding Council, and industrial collaborators.

Current projects:

• Valorisation of dairy industry by-products (2025-2026; Funders: Scottish Funding Council | Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre; Industrial collaborator: Take Root Bio Ltd)  
• Impact of (Very) High Gravity Distilling Fermentation on the Characteristics of Distilled Products and Carbon Footprints (2023-2027; Funders: Diageo and Heriot-Watt University; Academic collaborator: University of Edinburgh - School of Informatics)
• From CO₂ to Food: Development of Microbial Biomass as a Novel Food Source (2024-2028; Funders: EPSRC, Albida Agriculture and Heriot-Watt University)

Completed projects:

• Guidance Manual: Responsible & Safe Handling of C1 Gases in Microbiology Laboratories (2022-2024; Funder: BBSRC | Carbon Recycling Network; Partner: Ingenza)

• Scientific Management Team member for National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre
• Reviewer for Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists