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Dr Francisca Vermeulen


        Head and shoulder photograph of Francisca Vermeulen

Algal Biotechnology PDRA

I am an algal cultivation specialist working on assessing factors that contribute to harmful algal blooms. I also have expertise in the commercial cultivation of various microalgal species and am a member of EIT-food educational outreach programs for algal biotechnology and sustainable aquaculture.

Contact details:
  • francisca.vermeulen@sams.ac.uk


I am currently involved in assessing environmental factors associated with harmful algal blooms and identifying future risks and impacts. I have a research interest in cultivating microalgae for a variety of biotech. My previous research focused on optimizing cultivation conditions for commercially important microalgal species for the use in algal based nutraceuticals.

 

Current project

All Atlantic Ocean Sustainable, Profitable and Resilient Aquaculture (ASTRAL). Funded by EU Horizon 2020. Sep 2020 - Aug 2024. Researcher role

 

Past projects

Algal Biotechnology courses. Funded by . May-Dec 2022. Co-organiser

Inspire - Sustainable aquaculture courses. Funded by EIT-Food. May-Dec 2022. Co-organiser 

 

I have 4+ years’ experience working on commercial algal cultivation with various microalgal species. My work was mainly based with start-up companies for with I wrote and implemented standard operating procedures from lab scale to final harvest of the product. The research conducted there focussed on improving growth rate while maintaining a high-quality product. I developed a new protocol for the induction of astaxanthin in the microalgal Haematococcus sp. which has been implemented in the factory and is used in their current products.

 

Accessing consultancy services from ɫƵ

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Lecturing

BSc Marine Science (ɫƵ UHI): Lecturer on the Year 3 optional 'Marine Biotechnology' module

 (Strathclyde University/IBioIC): Lectures and practicals on the optional semester 2 'Blue Biotechnology' module

 

Research student supervision

Joss Main: Improving the stability of astaxanthin for the use in neutraceuticals. MSc. Jan-Dec 23. UHI

Employment history

Since Jan 22 PDRA Algal Biotechnology at ɫƵ, UK

Jul 20-Jan 22: Algal Cultivation Specialist. , IS

May 17-Jun 20: Cell Biotechnologist and Algal Cultivation Specialist. , IS

 

Qualifications

2013 PhD Ecophysiology and Molecular Sciences. Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

2010 MSc Cellular and Molecular Biology. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NL

2007 BSc Biotechnology and Molecular Sciences Laboratory Technician. Hogeschool Leiden, NL]

 

Professional memberships

Algae UK: Member since 2020

British Phycological Society: Member since 2022