INÉS ÁVILA VIVAS

Inés Ávila holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) and a joint master's degree in chemical engineering from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and URJC. Her academic and research trajectory has evolved from studying porous carbon-based materials to her current focus on biomass valorisation through sustainable catalytic processes.

She began her research career at UAM with a two-year research assistant contract funded by the Community of Madrid. During this period, she worked on the synthesis, characterization, and application of porous carbon materials for controlled drug delivery. This early stage allowed her to gain experience in material preparation, textural and chemical characterization, and adsorption–release studies, as well as an introduction to applied research in functional materials.

Since 2021, she has been a PhD student in the Department of Chemical, Energy, and Mechanical Technology at URJC. Her doctoral research is currently focused on the valorisation of biomass, particularly lignin, through thermo-catalytic processes. Her work focuses on the optimization of catalytic pyrolysis systems to improve the efficiency of lignin conversion into biofuels and high-value chemical products, contributing to the development of sustainable alternatives within the framework of the bioeconomy and the energy transition.

In addition to her research activities, she participates in teaching within the field of Chemical Engineering, collaborating in undergraduate and postgraduate courses and supervising laboratory sessions. This involvement allows her to combine research with academic training and student support, strengthening the link between knowledge generation and higher education.

Her research is framed within the broader aim of renewable resource utilization and the development of cleaner and more efficient chemical processes, at the intersection of chemical engineering, sustainability, and technological innovation.

Research Profiles:

• Scopus: 57217330279
• ORCID: 0000-0001-9212-6257
• URJC

Keywords:

Biomass Valorization - Thermo-catalytic Processes - High-value Chemicals - Catalytic Pyrolysis - Lignin