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Hire Dr. Ana-maria A.

Canada

Profile Summary

Studied the feasibility of a new bioreactor design for biomass and biofuels production. - Wrote the research project, designed and supervised the construction of a novel bioreactor. - Reduced the bioreactor land footprint and optimized bioreactor operation conditions to increase biomass productivity (3 times) and biomass growth rate (5 times). - Planned and executed the experiments and analyzed the results. - Supervised and trained laboratory personnel. Demonstrated the applicability of hydrothermal treatment for lipid recovery towards the production of biodiesel. - Adapted previous technology for new lipid recovery process leading to the recovery of 97% of the total product. - Developed mathematical models for the prediction of optimum microbial culture conditions with an accuracy of 96%. - Published 3 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 1 book chapter as result of this research. In the last three years these publications have been cited more than 30 times in recognized journals. Instructed the courses bioprocess engineering, biochemical engineering and industrial fermentations to undergraduate student in the Biological Engineering program. - Prepared lectures for core courses, graded assignments, supervised and evaluated students’ performance, led field trips to industries, and provided advice to students.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ☆ Biology/Life Sciences
• ☆ Microbiology
• ☆ Biotechnology & Bioengineering
• ☆ Biomass & Bioenergy
• ☆ Chemical Engineering
• ☆ Bioenergy & Biofuels
• ☆ Engineering Design

Services

• Consulting
• Data & AI
• Product Development

Work Experience

Postdoctoral fellow

The University of Western Ontario

August 2014 - September 2015

Research and teaching assistant

The University of Western Ontario

September 2010 - August 2014

Lecturer

National University of Colombia

March 2009 - November 2009

Education

PhD in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

The University of Western Ontario

September 2010 - August 2014

Master in Sciences – Biotechnology

National University of Colombia

January 2008 - August 2010

Bachelor - Biological Engineering with an emphasis in industrial biotechnology

National University of Colombia

January 2003 - December 2007

Certifications

• Certification details not provided.

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Ana-Maria Aguirre, Amarjeet Bassi(2014). Investigation of high pressure steaming ({HPS}) as a thermal treatment for lipid extraction from Chlorella vulgaris . Bioresource Technology. 164. p. 136--142. Elsevier {BV}

Ana-Maria Aguirre, Amarjeet Bassi, Priyanka Saxena(2013). Engineering challenges in biodiesel production from microalgae . Critical Reviews in Biotechnology. 33. (3). p. 293--308. Informa Healthcare

Ana-Maria Aguirre, Amarjeet Bassi(2013). Investigation of biomass concentration, lipid production, and cellulose content in Chlorella vulgaris cultures using response surface methodology . Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 110. (8). p. 2114--2122. Wiley-Blackwell

(2009). STRATEGIES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF SECONDARY METABOLITES PRODUCTION IN PLAN CELL CULTURES . Rev.Fac.Nal.Agr.Medellín.

ARIAS, MARIO, AGUIRRE, ANA, ANGARITA, MÓNICA, MONTOYA, CAROLINA, & RESTREPO, JUAN. (2009). ASPECTOS INGENIERILES DEL CULTIVO IN VITRO DE CÉLULAS VEGETALES PARA LA PRODUCCIÓN DE METABOLITOS SECUNDARIOS. DYNA, 76(157), 109-121. Retrieved June 01, 2015, from http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0012-73532009000100011&lng=en&tlng=. .

OTHER

Ana-Maria Aguirre, Amarjeet Bassi, Priyanka Saxena(2013). Mixotrophic Algae Cultivation for Energy Production and Other Applications . 177--202Springer Netherlands

BOOK

(2011). Cultivo in Vitro de Celulas Vegetales. EAE Editorial Academia Espanola.