Amanda Prado de Nicolás

Amanda Prado holds a Bch. in Biology (2013, URJC), a Master of Excellence in Biotechnology (2014, UAM), and a PhD in Hydrology and Water Resources Management (2021, UAH). She is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Group of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (GIQA; www.giqa.es) of the URJC. PhD Prado is pioneers the development of photo-bioelectrochemical systems integrating Nature-based Solutions (NBS) and purple phototrophic bacteria, positioning her research at the interface of bioelectrochemistry, sustainable environmental technologies, and resource recovery. Her expertise covers the study of extracellular electron transfer both at the cellular and microbial community level, the design of novel carbon-based materials and bioelectrochemical systems for their integration and scale-up, and their application in the treatment of polluted effluents and waste valorization. Currently, she is working on the development and optimization of photo-bio(electro)refineries for the treatment and valorization of solid and liquid waste streams, including livestock residues, food industry by-products, and urban and industrial wastewater. In these systems, purple phototrophic bacteria are coupled with carbon-based electrodes to simultaneously treat effluents, recover nutrients, and promote the circular economy. Overall, her trajectory is characterized by significant contributions to the design and application of bioelectrochemical and photo-bioelectrochemical systems in alignment with the European Green Deal, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, and circular bioeconomy strategies, consolidating her profile as a promising young researcher in environmental biotechnology.