South Africa Conference & Workshop
Sandton Sun Hotel 1 – 4 March 2011

Presenter Biographies

FACILITATORS:

Professor Patricia Harvey - University of Greenwich

Resume:

Trained as a plant biochemist from Durham University, gained her PhD  Prof Harvey spent 2 years at Genzyme Biochemicals in business development before leaving to conduct research into the biochemistry of lignin breakdown for 10 years at Imperial College, and then Greenwich University.  Fundamental research on the enzyme lignin peroxidase with redox mediators - deployed by white-rot fungi to trigger lignin breakdown in lignocellulosic materials – and on the plant and fungal oxidative metabolic pathways associated with production of oxidative catalysts, led on to applications in treating lignocellulosic waste streams and hydrocarbon decontamination.

Renewable energy, biofuels and the use of algal and non-food plant systems for CO2 capture and the synthesis of novel chemicals are now a major focus of her research, which includes expertise in analysis, extraction and catalysis of plant oils to biodiesel, and researching solutions for food and plant-based ‘wastes’ for energy extraction, plant growth in contaminated / degraded environments and the whole issue of establishing global plant-based supply chains to meet future needs. Roots in research leadership lie in agriculture for food, which was developed in the course of my PhD to breed yam tubers in Africa for high quality protein, but has evolved continuously to embrace agriculture in contaminated land for its bioremediation and biomass production for bioenergy, and alternative agricultural systems for biofuels in saline non-potable water.

She is a board member of the newly-founded European Algal Biomass Association and on the management committee for the European COST 859 Action, Phytotechnologies to promote sustainable land use and improve food safety, and Head of the Bioenergy Research Group at the University of Greenwich.