We are delighted to share that Louise Amor-Seabrooke, one of our Cohort 1 students, recently joined a panel discussion at Newcastle University to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
During the event, Louise spoke about the diverse career pathways women take in science, sharing insights from her own journey and experiences working in industry and as an early-career researcher.
Louise’s PhD is delivered in partnership with Biofuel Evolution and Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and with academic supervision from Dr Sharon Velasquez Orta and Professor Adam Harvey. Her research explores the biological conversion of captured carbon dioxide and waste-derived feedstocks into renewable products, contributing to the development of more sustainable, circular approaches to resource use.
Are you a UK-based 3rd year MEng student interested in research and considering a future PhD? This summer you could gain hands-on research experience through the PINZ CDT Summer Vacation Studentships at Newcastle University.
We are offering six paid studentships, each lasting six weeks and starting on 15 June 2026.
What you will gain:
Paid experience working in chemical engineering research
The opportunity to contribute to a real research project linked to an industry partner
Valuable skills and insight into PhD study and academic research
The studentships are funded by the EPSRC Process Industries: Net Zero Centre for Doctoral Training (PINZ CDT), which aims to encourage students to pursue doctoral research careers in the process industries.
The centre is a collaboration between two world-leading research groups: the Process Intensification Group at Newcastle University and the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at University of York. Together, they will train 55 PhD students in annual cohorts through to 2028, helping develop the expertise needed to support the transition to net-zero process industries.
Interested?
Get in touch with us at pinz.cdt@newcastle.ac.uk by 17:00 on Friday 20 March.
On 21 and 22 January, the PINZ CDT Team from Newcastle University and University of York came together to hold our 2026 Conference. The event, held at Newcastle University’s Stephenson Building, was well attended, welcoming around 100 delegates from industry and academia.
Day One opened with technical overviews from PINZ CDT Co-Directors, Professor Adam Harvey and Professor Helen Sneddon. These talks showcased the work of the Newcastle University Process Intensification Group and of the University of York Green Chemistry Centre for Excellence. Following the technical overview presentations, there was an interactive session led by Dr Ryan Siddall, Innovation & Partnerships Manager. The session encouraged open discussion around net zero challenges and future plans within the process sector.
Day Two featured a keynote talk by Dr Mark Corbett, Director of the Biorenewables Development Centre, focussing on the BB-REG-NET project. This was followed by an industry perspective talk on the CarbonNation project, delivered by Joel Caragay, Senior Scientist at Procter & Gamble and Dr James Hendry, Researcher at Newcastle University.
Delegates also heard from EPSRC Portfolio Manager, Karen Davies, who provided valuable insight into the funder perspective.
Students from PINZ CDT Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 presented updates on their projects, sharing progress to date, early impacts and planned future work.
Thanks to everyone who attended the conference, delivered talks and contributed to discussions to make it an informative and vibrant event.
We were pleased to welcome Agilent, Asynt, Huber, Netzsch and Scientific Labs and as exhibitors on Day Two, helping to create a buzzing atmosphere in the foyer of the Stephenson Building throughout the day.
PINZ CDT staff and students visited the University of York’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence and the Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) on 5 December.
The visit to the BDC included insightful presentations from Mark Gronnow and Debs Rathbone, who shared updates on recent projects, followed by a guided tour of the centre’s impressive facilities.
We are very grateful to Mark and Debs for hosting us at the BDC, and to Linda for organising such a valuable and enjoyable visit.
