Team - Bressler Lab

Bernardo Araujo Souto, PhD
Program Manager

Bernardo Araujo Souto is the Program Manager in the Biorefining Conversions and Fermentation Laboratory. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Itajubá, Brazil, and completed his PhD in Bioresource Technology at the University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. David C. Bressler. He also holds a Certificate in Project Management from University of Alberta Continuing Education. His academic background includes research experience in organic synthesis, biomass characterization, thermochemical conversion, and sustainable fuel production.

In his current role, Bernardo provides integrated leadership across the laboratory’s chemical conversion and bioprocessing divisions, coordinating day-to-day research operations, pilot-scale activities, safety programs, trainee supervision, and project execution. His research expertise centers on sustainable aviation fuel production from lipid-derived feedstocks, with a focus on non-catalytic high-temperature processes and radical reaction mechanisms that enhance hydrocarbon branching and cold-flow properties. His work bridges fundamental chemistry with applied process development using both model compounds and real waste lipid feedstocks.

Bernardo’s combined technical and project management background supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of multidisciplinary research activities involving academic trainees, industry partners, laboratory infrastructure, and scale-up operations.

Jingui Lan, MSc
Analytical Technician

Jingui Lan has worked as an analytical technician in the Bressler lab since January 2007. He trains and assists postdocs, graduate students, and other researchers with regards to the operation of lab infrastructure, and also maintains and troubleshoots these instruments. He also performs routine lab management activities, oversees laboratory safety, and handles the ordering of supplies for the Bressler lab.

Currently, Jingui Lan is actively involved in two research projects in the Bressler lab:
1) Degradable Baler Twine for Improved Environmental Sustainability and Livestock Safety
2) Design and Preparation of Biodegradable Tackifiers Incorporating Animal Waste Protein

Sapna Indrakumar, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Sapna Indrakumar works in the Bressler Lab on upstream and downstream microbial fermentation for single‑cell protein (SCP) production, developing scalable, sustainable protein solutions for food and feed applications. She is involved in a project with Alberta startup Cvictus Inc., supported by the Gates Foundation, converting coal-derived methanol into a nutrient-rich, low-cost animal feed with a smaller environmental footprint for global markets.

She holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from CSIR‑Central Food Technological Research Institute, India, where she focused on valorizing agri-industrial by-products and developing functional foods with enhanced nutrition and bioactive properties. With over a decade of experience, her expertise spans bioprocessing, food sustainability, nutraceuticals, alternative protein sources, cell culture, and animal studies. She has contributed to multiple peer‑reviewed publications, presented her research at national and international conferences, and received recognition through research awards.

Preston Tran
PhD Student

Preston earned his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with Honors from the University of Alberta. His undergraduate research sparked a strong interest for synthetic biology and its applications in biotechnology. During his studies, he worked to engineer a diverse array of bacteria, yeast and fungi for purposes ranging from nanobody secretion to biofuel production. He was also a member of the team that represented the University of Alberta at the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition and now serves as an advisor for the program.

Currently, Preston is pursuing a Ph.D. in Bioresource Technology, where his research focuses on the intersection of biology and chemistry. On the biological side, Preston’s work will explore using methylotrophic microorganisms to convert methanol to lipids, with the aim of redirecting metabolic flux and increasing lipid yields using genetic engineering and other strategies. On the chemical side, he will explore the role of unique fatty acids in lipid pyrolysis and how feedstock composition can influence pyrolysis outcomes. Through this multidisciplinary approach, Preston aims to advance biofuel production pathways and contribute to sustainable biotechnology.

Endriss Ali Umer
PhD Student

Endriss Ali Umer received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. He also has a ten-year research and teaching experience in more than six higher institutions, including Addis Ababa University, the first-ranked and oldest university in Ethiopia. He worked as a researcher at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University from 2016 to 2018 under the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology. Apart from this, he did an internship for about four months in the CeraliaFood Complex factory, and he has also taken various international & national level entrepreneurship training. Currently, Endriss is pursuing a Doctoral program in Bioresource and Food Engineering at the University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. David Bressler, working on the conversion of lipids into bio-jet fuel and improving production efficiency.

Victor Gonzalez Jimenez
PhD Candidate

Victor is a diligent and forward-thinking PhD candidate, deeply impassioned by the realm of sustainable development, with a specific focus on bioprocess and bioenergy. His academic trajectory commenced with the attainment of a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes (Mexico), where he honed a robust foundation in biotechnology. Subsequently, he pursued a Master's degree in Bioprocess and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield (UK), immersing himself in preliminary research dedicated to the development of biofuels from genetically modified algae.

At present, he is engaged in doctoral studies at the esteemed University of Alberta, where his research is concentrated on the production of bacterial cultures adept at metabolizing low-value aromatic carbon sources, subsequently transforming them into high-value biomolecules conducive to drop-in fuel development. The goal of his work lies in increasing the sustainable value of a multifaceted process, generating drop-in fuels as its primary output. He is proud to have presented his works at the SPARK 2019 conference in Edmonton, AB, and the LignoBiotech Symposium 2022 in Vancouver, BC.

Extending beyond the confines of academia, he is fervently committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and positive work environment. His interest in continuous learning serves as a bedrock for enriching his perspectives and for adding a multidisciplinary approach in his research endeavors.

Bingxin Hai
PhD Candidate

In alignment with the global movement towards energy transition collaboration, Bingxin is dedicated to contributing to this transformative effort. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Bioresource Technology, her research builds upon prior findings that demonstrated a significant increase in the yield of branched hydrocarbons during lipid pyrolysis when short-chain alkenes are introduced. These hydrocarbons are crucial for enhancing the properties of aviation fuels, such as a reduced freezing point. Bingxin's current focus lies in investigating the reaction chemistries inherent in fatty acids and propylene pyrolysis, with the overarching goal of advancing the viability and competitiveness of sustainable aviation fuels.

Before joining the group, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science with Honors from the University of Alberta. Along her academic journey, she gained valuable experience through multiple internships in diverse industries, including both the food sector and the energy industry. This background equips her with a holistic perspective as she dedicates herself to the pursuit of innovative solutions within sustainable energy.

Angie Nathalia Lizarazo-Roman
PhD Student

Angie holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Industrial de Santander (Colombia). Her academic background includes research on hydrogen production from coffee wastewater using actinobacteria, a research internship at Texas A&M University focused on engineering E. coli and S. cerevisiae for enhanced biocatalysis, and the development of starter cultures to improve cocoa liquor flavor and aroma during fermentation.

She currently contributes to the Bressler lab’s efforts in advancing microbial bioprocessing for sustainable fuels. Her research focuses on the conversion of methanol into lipids using microorganisms, with the aim of developing alternative pathways for lipid-based biofuel production.

Domenic Marano
MSc Student

Domenic obtained his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Alberta. His undergraduate research largely involved synthetic biology in the realm of probiotic development and the determination of lipid biosynthetic pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. During his undergraduate degree, Domenic worked as an intern at Teck Resources, where he studied the biorecovery of rare earth metals from mine tailings. At the end of his undergraduate studies, he completed a Mitacs internship in Dr. Bressler’s lab, where he assisted in the operation and development of a novel high-performance single-cell protein continuous fermentation system. Domenic is currently pursuing a master’s degree in bioresource technology under Dr. Bressler at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on valorizing spent fermentation media for recycling, aiming to enhance sustainability and resource efficiency in industrial bioprocessing.

Beatriz Lage Aleixo
Intern

Beatriz is an undergraduate Pharmacy student at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil. She is currently an UARE intern working on a research project focused on evaluating the inhibitory effects of anions on the growth and fermentation performance of Methylophilus methylotrophus AS1. Her work aims to support future studies on medium recycling and its potential impact on water use and operating costs.

Her academic background includes research experience in pharmaceutical technology and analytical chemistry, as well as involvement in other projects and academic initiatives.

Some of past members:

Research associates and technicians:

Elisabeth Widjaja (2025)
Zakaria Kaal (2025)
Dr. Sara Ansari (2024)
Dr. Justice Asomaning (2023)
Dr. Michael Chae (2022)
Heather Jimmy (2022)
Koel Reed (2021)
Alaleh Boroomand (2020)
Amin Karkooti (2020)
Fiona Cromwell (2020)
Ikuba (John) Ona (2020)
Nian Sun (2017)
Julia Prochnau (2017)
Alexandra Macdonell-Whiddon (2014)
Garson Law (2013)

Postdoctoral fellows:

Dr. Mark Lawley (2026)
Dr. Alsayed Mostafa (2026)
Dr. Soniya Naik (2025)
Dr. Marttin Gundupalli Paulraj (2024)
Dr. Sara Ansari (2024)
Dr. Jaquelinne Pires Vital da Costa (2024)
Dr. Aneeshma Peter (2023)
Dr. Ramesh Arumugam (2023)
Dr. Fatemeh Bakhtiari Ziabari (2023)
Dr. Reza Ahmadi (2023)
Dr. Afees Ayandiran (2023)
Dr. Lisandra Meneses (2021)
Dr. Jie Wang (2021)
Dr. Yeling Zhu (2021)
Dr. John Hawk (2020)
Dr. Mahfuzul Hoque (2020)
Dr. Dawit Beyene (2020)
Dr. Maryam Hawk (2020)
Dr. Vinay Khatri (2019)
Dr. Lizzette Moreno Garcia (2019)
Dr. Afrooz Farjoo (2018)
Dr. Mattia Bartoli (2018)
Dr. Justice Asomaning (2018)
Dr. Birendra Adhikari (2018)
Dr. Afrooz Farjoo (2018)
Dr. Jing Dai (2017)
Dr. Mehdi Omidghane (2016)
Dr. Gurpreet Dillon (2014)
Dr. Archana Parashar (2014)
Dr. Ali Kebabi (2012)

PhD Students:

Bernardo Araujo Souto (2025)
Andres Merino Restrepo (2025)
Ronny (Yueh-Hao) Hung (2024)
Dagem Haddis (2024)
Jie Wang (2020)
Tao Shui (2020)
Dawit Beyene (2019)
Erin Dul (2015)
Michael George (2015)
Maria Espinosa Gonzalez (2014)
Justice Asomaning (2014)
Tizazu Mekonnen (2014)
Yuko Ikeda (2013)

MSc Students:

Ines Lamping (2026)
Santiago Gonzalez Gallego (2025)
Haley Wolgien-Lowe (2025)
Minh Dao (2025)
Frehiwot Hailu (2024)
Zakaria Kaal (2024)
Elisabeth Kezia Widjaja (2023)
Fantahun Bitew (2023)
Damaris Okafor (2022)
Uche (Emanuella) Sea-Nduka (2021)
Samuel Koranteng (2021)
Jesse Yuzik (2020)
Yeye Lu (2019)
Hector Vargas (2019)
Chengyong Zhu (2019)
Susan Haupt (2019)
Olga Mameeva (2017)
Lin Xia (2017)
Yiqiong Jin (2014)
Koel Reed (2012)

Interns:

Ron Offengenden (2026)
Ziyu Nara Koh (2026)
Elizabeth Arenas Diaz (2026)
Flavia Hirabayashi Cleto (2026)
Ana Cristina Flores Martinez (2025)
Annabel Spencer (2024)
Domenic Marano (2024)
Preston Tran (2024)
Rishika Mohanty (2023)
Zoe Katharina Heite (2023)
Annabel Spencer (2022)
Tania Jael Trucios Ramirez (2022)
Luis Miguel Salas Chia (2022)
Krithika Ananthakrishnan (2022)
Annika Deppe (2021)
Ethan Woudstra (2021)
Pahul Sapra (2021)
Samuel Villeneuve (2021)
Bernardo Araujo Souto (2019)
Jing Wu (2019)
Danyang Cheng (2019)
Gitanshu Bhatia (2018)