Fitxa persona

Dr. R. Jiménez-Robles is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering at University of Valencia (UV). He holds a Bachelor and Ms.C. degrees in Chemical Engineering (Extraordinary Awards and the Best Record) as well as a Ph.D in Chemical, Environmental and Process Engineering.

RESEARCH / His research career has always focused on topics that address the current problems of society in relation to the contamination of aqueous media (environmental), waste recovery and intensification of processes (materials and engineering). Dr. Ramón Jiménez began his research career in 2017 with a research grant from the UGR (competitive), carrying out a study of the influence of nanoparticles on the biodegradation and toxicity of surfactants, with the aim of determining the mixtures of lower toxicity for the aquatic environment while maintaining high cleaning efficiency in Clean-In-Place processes. This work was published in two scientific articles and in a conference. Since then, Ramón has not stopped his research work thanks to the granting of several research scholarships (competitive) as a Bachelor and Master student awarded by different public organizations (CSIC, Government of Spain...). Thus, researchs for the development of catalysts for the conversion of biomass into chemicals with high added value at the renowned Institute of Chemical Technology (UPV-CSIC) and the recovery of dissolved methane from aqueous effluents using membrane contactors at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the UV was carried out by Ramón. Various scientific articles and publications at international conferences have been derived from the innovative results obtained in these studies.

During his Ph.D, granted by FPU programme (competitive), Dr. Ramón has acquired a deep knowledge related to the use and chemical functionalization of membrane contactors for the recovery of methane dissolved in effluents from anaerobic digesters. This work resulted in 5 publications in journals indexed in JCR (3 D1, 1 Q1 and 2 Q2), which show novel results on the optimization of the process through application of the combined mode and different methodologies to obtain superhydrophobic membranes through surface functionalization. Furthermore, during the 3-month international stay at the Water Science Institute (Cranfield University, United Kingdom) carried out with national competitive funding, this knowledge was broadened, since a process for the recovery of dissolved phosphorus in liquid effluents using novel membrane-assisted crystallization techniques was studied. This work led to a publication in a journal indexed in JCR positioned in the first decile. All this work resulted in a doctoral thesis with International Mention and the highest qualification “Excellent, Cum Laude”. In conclusion, Dr. Ramón has a total of 8 publications in JCR (>60% Q1), being first author of 6 publications, >45 citations, an h index of 4, 6 papers presented at international conferences and 3 at national congresses (a total of 5 oral presentations).

It can be also highlight the 3 national projects financed by the State Research Agency (AEI, Spain) and another regional project financed by the Generalitat Valenciana in which Dr. Ramón has participated as a member and in the work team.

TRANSFERENCE / Thanks to participation in various technology transfer contracts, Dr. Ramón has been in continuous touch with the industry sector (Global Omnium) as well as with technological centers (Instituto Tecnológico del Plástico-AIMPLAS). These contracts have always been developed in the field of developing membranes for the decarbonization of effluents.

TEACHING AND TEACHING INNOVATION/ Finally, Dr. Ramón has participated in more than 120 hours of teaching in different Degrees of the UV (Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Food Science and Technology and Biotechnology). Also, he has co-directed two Master's Final Projects in the Master of Chemical Engineering. He has also directed two extracurricular internships for Master's students and supervised the research work of a total of 9 students. Finally, Dr. Ramón has participated in 2 Teaching Innovation projects, with an oral presentation at a national conference, and is part of the Chemical Engineering and Environmental Teaching Innovation group IDIQMA (UV).

OTHER RELEVANT ACTIONS / Currently, he is a member of the Management Board of the Chemical Engineering Department, representing the Research Staff in Training collective.