Congratulations to Minu Masliha, supervisor Ramesh Babu PMNC Trinity College Dublin, for her recent PhD viva defense on research exploring sustainable approaches to develop undervalorised bio-based forest materials with enhanced performance and environmental benefits.

Special thanks to Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for funding, and to examiners, Paula Colavita and J.J. Leahy, for their time, discussions, questions, and useful suggestions during the viva process, which helped bring the process to fruition [touch wood].

To date this research has:

[I] Made advances in tannin extraction and purification / bioprocessing from bark and investigated applications of this platform forest industry resource [e.g. for antimicrobials].
[II] Led to new research on dairy waste water purification and phosphate recovery via chemical surface functionalisation of lignin particles – https://lnkd.in/ddcBg6uJ
[III] Extended transnational bilateral research collaborations with Scion Group New Zealand.
[IV] Advanced industry collaborations in the potential use of biobased materials for more sustainable and environmentally friendly board based products. Bark Residues for Improving Thermal Properties of Wood Fibres.” This work reflects the potential of sustainable chemistry to transform forestry residues into innovative and valuable solutions.