Hi guys! I am Alice, a biotechnologist by training. I am currently working for an Italian water utility. I studied at the University of Verona, where I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and a Master’s degree in Agri-Food Biotechnology. Then I continued my personal growth at the same University, starting a PhD in Biotechnology in the disciplinary sector of Chemical Plants. 

My PhD activity was mainly focused on wastewater treatment for nutrients and micro-pollutant removal, with special attention to Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs); I also investigated bio-resources recovery, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), valorising industry side streams and producing high-added value biomass for industrial applications. 

During my research activity, I worked in a multidisciplinary team, ranging from environmental microbiology to bioprocesses engineering. I had the chance to directly touch two different research approaches, one related to bioprocess control and optimization and the other related to the world of microbes. 

I was involved in a Horizon 2020 European Project, collaborating with other European Universities and industrial companies. I also spent six months in a Belgian company, a spin-off of Ghent University, specialising in microbial process optimization for environmental and industrial applications. There, I had the honour of working with Prof. Willy Verstraete, who showed me how important it is to learn “to think outside the box”. I had the opportunity to see a real application of what I was studying at the University and what I was reading in the scientific papers.

Currently, my job covers some activities different from these, but as an active member of the Italian Young Water Professional Chapter (YWPIT), I hope to strengthen the link between the University and the Industry in the water sector.