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
YAF MSCA-DN Mid-Term Meeting
On 18 May, the YAF mid-term meeting took place at CIEMAT. It was a full day of presentations during which all DCs had the opportunity to showcase the progress of their Individual Research Projects (IRPs). It was impressive to see how much the IRPs have evolved over the past months
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.