Name and Surname: Marta Yabar
Organization: Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant
Major Fields of Research/Activity: Downstream Processing, Bioprocess scale-up, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
- What is your role in the YAF team at your organization? What are you currently working on within the scope of YAF?
My role is to answer a key question: once microorganisms produce valuable compounds, how can we recover them efficiently and at scale? In YAF, I focus on the recovery of microbial lipids that can then be upgraded into Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
- Why do you think the YAF research is important for your career development and how it will impact the society?
Beyond the extensive technical knowledge, YAF is helping me to focus on solutions rather than problems, think strategically, work with clear direction and be efficient. For society, developing new technologies for Sustainable Aviation Fuel production is not optional but essential, and our work helps bring them closer to reality.
- What or who inspired you to go into academia/research?
I find it difficult to connect with scientists I have never met, so my greatest inspiration has come from my managers. I cannot think about this question without Marlene Zandian immediately coming to mind. An outstanding professional and an equally inspiring person, mother, musician, and athlete.
- For you, what is most challenging and/or exciting about your work in YAF?
The challenge is finding the right balance between performance, economic viability, scalability, sustainability, and policy constraints. What makes it exciting is knowing that every step forward can have a direct industrial relevance and a real market impact.
- Write an inspiring quote for the DC you are going to supervise in YAF.
“If you can’t recover it, you don’t have it”
- Where can we find you after work? Doing what?
Traveling, listening to music, working out, or taking a long walk while catching up with family, friends, or my partner back home. If I’m lucky, I’ll be on a flight to see them.