ANDER CENTENO PEDRAZO

Presentation

Ander Centeno Pedrazo graduated in Chemistry in 2017 and earned his master´s degree in Applied Chemistry and Polymers in 2018 from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). During this period, he developed a significant interest in research, focusing on the synthesis of enantioselective organocatalysts for Michael reactions, as well as the development of bio-based non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs). In October 2018, he began his doctoral studies in collaboration between UPV/EHU and Tecnalia, under the supervision of Dr. Zoraida Freixa (UPV/EHU), Dr. Pablo Ortiz (Tecnalia), and Dr. Eduardo J. Garcia-Suarez (Tecnalia). In his thesis titled " Cyclic carbonates from CO2 and vegetable oils as bio-precursors for non-isocyanate polyurethanes development: A journey from monomer synthesis to industrial application" he focused on the development of catalytic systems based on ionic liquids for the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxidized oil. Additionally, he conducted the synthesis and characterization of NIPUs through polyaddition reactions, exploring their potential application in the field of coatings. In order to explore their suitability for industrial application, he conducted a research stay at Allnex-The Coatings Resins Company (Graz, Austria) from February to May 2022.

In January 2023, he successfully defended his thesis, earning the distinction of Cum Laude and an Industrial Doctorate. Subsequently, he joined Dr. Haresh Manyar´s group at Queen’s University Belfast (Belfast, United Kingdom) as a postdoctoral researcher, where he worked on the design, preparation, and characterisation of heterogeneous catalysts for the development of sustainable aviation fuels using CO2 and biomass-derived feedstocks.

In February 2024, he joined CIC energiGUNE as a postdoctoral researcher in the "Thermocatalysis and Ionic Liquids" research group. Currently, he is focused on the design and synthesis of catalytic systems based on ionic liquids for the development of sustainable fuels.

Scientific interests

  • Ionic liquids
  • Waste valorisation (Plastic, CO2, etc.)
  • Biofuels development
  • Phase change materials

Scientific career

  • CO2 valorisation
  • Biomass valorisation (vegetable oils)
  • Biofuels development
  • Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis
  • Non-isocyanate polyurethanes

Awards

  • Tecnalia Research & Innovation Predoctoral Fellowship (2018)
  • Grant “Programa Posdoctoral, de Perfeccionamiento de Personal Investigador Doctor” (2024-2027) (Obtained but rejected)
  • RSC Best Poster Prize at 10th UK Catalysis Conference (Loughborough, UK) (2024)

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