Agenda

Speaker: Dr. Alexandra Zamboulis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Grecia)

Abstract:
Commodity polymers, such as polyolefins (e.g. polyethylene) and polyethylene terephthalate(PET), are widely used in our daily lives and our modern societies could not exist without them.
Nevertheless, their production and use is associated to significant environmental issues, including the depletion of fossil resources, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution through the formation of microplastics. In the quest for more sustainable polymers, the valorisation of biomass has gained significant attention. In this context, biobased polymers, i.e. polymers produced from
monomers derived from renewable resources, are emerging as a promising alternative to traditional
petroleum-based plastics. Indeed, these polymers are expected to contribute to reducing environmental impact by lowering carbon emissions, enhancing biodegradability, and conserving finite resources.
In the present talk, strategies to synthesise new biobased polymers, notably vanillic acid-based polyesters, will be discussed while other approaches to more sustainable commodity plastics will be presented. Finally, the pressing topic of microplastics will be briefly introduced.          

                                 
Bio Sketch:Dr. Alexandra Zamboulis is a member of the research group of Pr. Dimitrios Bikiaris, at the chemistry department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She currently works under the supervision of Assoc. Pr. Fabio Aricò, as a visiting scholar at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
She has obtained her PhD degree from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier working on hybrid organosilicas, after a master degree obtained at the Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, and a bachelor degree at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Her expertise lies in organic chemistry, with a focus on polymer chemistry. Her research interests encompass the development of biobased monomers and polymers, the synthesis of biodegradable polyesters, the modification of natural polymers for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery. Her work is featured in 55 scientific publications across international journals.
Moreover, she actively participates in research projects supported by national and EU funding.