Yeast-based solutions for
Sustainable Aviation Fuels
YAF is a Doctoral Network of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie action program (MSCA-DN GA 101120389) that will train the next generation of researchers in a highly interdisciplinary and intersectorial research environment such that they can soundly address upcoming challenges concerning production yeast-based Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
YAF research programme aims at:
Producing carbon sources from biowastes
Developing new yeast cell factories to produce SAF
Designing new bifunctional catalysts
Achieving efficient strategies for FA/terpenes extraction
Creating robust framework tailored to the scaling-up methodologies and life-cycle sustainability assessment of different SAF producing routes, which will support decision-making.
Countries
participating
in the programme
Latest News
New YAF Talks Video – Talk #3 is out!
We’re excited to share Talk #3 in the YAF Talks publication series: “Reconnecting SAF Research and Policy”. A dynamic discussion connecting research, industry and policy to explore how to turn sustainable aviation fuels into a reality. Focused on aligning innovation with scalability and real-world deployment. Featuring contributions from: Check out the complete talk on our YouTube
Marta Yabar (DC9) | Back to Where It All Began 🎓✨
Last month, Marta Yabar (DC9) had the wonderful opportunity to return to the school where she once studied, reconnecting with the place that first inspired her academic journey 🏫💙. During her visit, she shared insights from her work in biotechnology, bioprocess engineering ⚙️, and sustainable fuels 🌱, giving students a
Madrid es Ciencia | Maria Spinosa (DC8) & Marta Yabar (DC9)
Maria Spinosa (DC8) and Marta Yabar (DC9) participated in Madrid es Ciencia held at #LaNaveMadrid, from March 19-21, where they engaged visitors with interactive activities that brought science and energy to life! ⚡ Through hands-on demonstrations, attendees learned how science can enhance water quality 💧♻️, identify common materials, and grasp
Best Poster Award | Maria Spinosa YAF DC8
We are proud to share that the poster “Effect of Ni, Mo, and W on Oleic Acid Hydroconversion Pathways over Nano-ZSM-5 Catalysts”, presented by Maria Spinosa (DC8, YAF – MSCA Doctoral Network) at the 41st Annual Congress of the Groupe Français de Zéolithes (Port-Bail, March 30 – April 2, 2026),
🎤An interview with…Jennifer Cueto – Supervisor of DC8 (IMDEA Energy)
Name and Surname: Jennifer Cueto Organization: IMDEA Energy Major Fields of Research/Activity: Biomass conversion, SAF production, plastic waste pyrolysis, zeolites In YAF I am the supervisor of María Spinosa, doctoral candidate number 8. Together we focus on producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from long-chain fatty acids present in microbial oils.
🎤An interview with…Maria Spinosa – Doctoral Candidate 8 (IMDEA Energy)
Name and Surname: Maria Spinosa Organization: IMDEA Energy Major Fields of Research/Activity: Heterogeneous Catalysis, Hydrodeoxygenation, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) I focus on designing and testing catalysts that upgrade waste-derived fatty acids into aviation-range hydrocarbons, enabling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production through an efficient one-pot process. YAF allows me to grow