SupervisoryTeam

Supervisor Photo

Andrés Seco Meneses

Supervisor Details

Email: andres.seco@unavarra.es

Organization Type: University

Organization Name: Public University of Navarre

Short Biography: PhD Agronomist Engineer since 2022. I took part in a UE VI Frame program. I am IP in a National Program research project since Decembe2 2022. I was researcher in other National Program research projects for 5.1 years. I have been IP in regional projects with a total accumulated duration of 19.4 years. I am responsible of the laboratory of soils mechanics of my university. I have directed 5 PhD thesis, 4 of them, related to sustainability and the circular economy. I am author of 39 papers JCR (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3156-6624). I am director of the chair of innovation for the circular economy in the UPNA. In 2022 I made a 12 months postdoc stay in the UPPA University (France). I have been responsible of 31 research contracts with companies and Administrations. Nowadays I am codirector of 2 PhD thesis with a researcher from the UPPA.

Co-Supervisor Photo

Íñigo Xabier García Zubiri

Co-Supervisor Details

Email: Inigo.garcia@magnesitasnavarras.es

Organization Type: Non-academic institution

Organization Name: Magnesitas Navarras S.A.

Short Biography: PhD and degree in Chemistry by the University of Navarra. Extraordinary Doctorate Award 2005-2007 from the University of Navarra. He joined to the R&D department of MAGNA in 2006, being the R&D responsible since 2017. He investigates about refractory materials and applications in iron and steel industry. Participation in R & D projects funded Regional, National and International Public Funding. He works in environmental applications of magnesium oxide derivatives, water treatment, construction materials, soil stabilizations, purification and land recycling. Besides, he investigates in applications of magnesium oxide and other magnesium minerals in animal nutrition.

Added Value: Participant and responsible of industrial and environmental research projects, in Spain and Europe, such us: Phosphorus and magnesium recovery from waste stream for production of high-value renewable fertilizers (PHOSTER),2022 to 2024; Use of magnesium by-products for phosphorus recovery in sewage treatment plants by struvite precipitation (MAGNYFOS) 2020 to 2023; Social Innovation for Sustainable Treatment of European Metals (SISTEM) - 2020 to 2021; Refractories and Circular Economy projects with a Life (5REFract) or CDTI Misiones (CERES), Soil recovery in mining, through the design of techno-soils within the Circular Economy paradigm (TECNOSUELOS) 2019 to 2020; and other soil stabilization projects, from 2018 to 2019. (among others since 2006). 19 publications, 20 congresses contributions. Author of 4 patents: Composite para la eliminación simultánea e irreversible de contaminantes inorgánicos y orgánicos en aguas o suelos. ES202130802 (20.08.2021). Accepted (european exam on going). Procedimiento y composición química basada principalmente en MgO. ES2560642 (A1) (22.02.2016). SELF HARDENING REFRACTORY MATERIAL. ES2532280 (A1) (25.03.2015), WO2015059324 (30.04.2015).

Other Co-Supervisor Photo

Céline Perlot

Other Co-Supervisor

Email: celine.perlot@univ-pau.fr

Organization Type: University

Organization Name: Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (France)

Short Biography: Céline Perlot (PhD. in Civil Engineering) is a full professor at the Civil engineering school ISA BTP of University of Pau. Head of geomaterials and structure team of the SIAME laboratory, IUF junior member for innovation chaire. Main lines of research: earthen materials, cementitious materials durability, link between microstructure and transfer properties. Supervisor of: 14 PhD. Thesis, 6 postdocs. Secretary of the scientific council of the French Academic Association of Civil Engineering. Co-chair of the Technical Committee TC BEC, Bio-stabilisation of earth-based construction of RILEM (International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures), Co-chair of the Fire Safty axe of the French National project TERRE, meber of the French commission on nuclear wate management (CNE2). More than 50 communications in Congresses. Co-Author of 3 book chapters; 29 articles published in SCI-listed journals (100 in Q1) h-index = 14, 538 citations, indice i10=24.

Added Value: The collaboration of Pr. Perlot as co-director of the PhD. thesis will allow to improve the formation activities of the junior researcher by means of the realization of research stays in the UPPA university. This will increase the research results of the proposed project as well as the exploitation of these results thanks to the expertise of Pr. Perlot in the field of the construction materials. The collaboration of the UPNA and the UPPA universities in the co-direction of this thesis will also allow the increase of the possibilities of collaboration with other institutions belonging to the research collaboration netwoks of both institutions for the formations and research activities to be carried out along the thesis development.

ResearchGroup

Description: Andrés Seco belongs to the Research Group “124. Projects, rural engineering and renewable energies” (https://academicos.unavarra.es/CawDOS//jsf/seleccionActividades/seleccionActividades.jsf?id=6f338400e86dc98d&idioma=es&tipo=actGrupo&elmeucv=N) and to the Institute of Smart Cities of the UPNA. This group counts on 10 permanent researchers. Andrés Seco is working since 2008 in soil stabilization, waste valorization, sustainable construction materials, earth construction, non-conventional binders and circular economy. Andrés Seco counts on a permanent collaboration with the SIAME laboratory from the UPPA University (France), University of Barcelona (Spain) and the Instituto Ciencias de la Construccion Eduardo Torroja CSIC (Spain) and has collaborated with the University of South Wales (UK). He also maintains a permanent collaboration with the Company Magnesitas Navarras S.A., Gestión Ambiental de Navarra S.A. and the Environment Department of the regional government.

ResearchLine

Description: DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS BASED ON BYPRODUCTS AND WASTES FROM THE CALCINED MAGNESITE LIFE CYCLE Nowadays calcined magnesite is a strategic product required for the European steel manufacturing industry. This material manufacturing generates huge amounts of wastes along its life cycle. This projects focus in the characterization and valorization of these wastes as constituents of sustainable construction materials. Mineral mining wastes (low magnesium carbonates), calcination process wastes (cyclone dust and spent desulfuration products) and and spent calcined magnesia wastes (spent refractories) will be considered in this project for their valorization. The formulation of sustainable binders (hydraulic, supersulfated and oxisulfated cements) and the manufacturing of non structural construction materials will be considered as the main applications for these wastes valorization.

Others

Description: All the research activities carried out will be developed in accordance with the MSCA Green Charter to reduce the environmental impact of this project. This project focus on the valorization of wastes as constituents of sustainable construction materials, in the context of the circular economy thinking and in accordance with the UE zero wastes objectives and decarbonization of the society. In the context of the Spanish national R+D+I strategic lines, this project contributes to the Climate Energy and Mobility strategic line through the sub-lines Climate Change and Decarbonization and sustainable cities and ecosystems. The overall goal of the Spanish Strategy for Science and Technology and Innovation 2021-2027 is promoting scientific, technological and business leadership in Spain and to increase the capacities for innovation in the Spanish society and the Spanish economy. The Spanish National strategies focus in the Horizon Europe thematic groups. Among them, the proposed project agrees with the 5th group: Climate, Energy and mobility as well as with the 6th group: Nutrition, bioeconomy, natural resources and environment and contributes to the following Strategic objectives: O1. To place science, technology and innovation as key axes in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. O2. To prioritize and respond to the challenges of the national strategic sectors through the R+D+I, for the benefit of the social, economic, industrial and environmental development of our country. O4. Generate scientific knowledge and leadership. Apply scientific knowledge to the development of new technologies that can be used by companies and intensify the capacity to communicate to our society and to influence the public and private sectors.

CareerDevelopment

Objectives

  • Increased employability in the non-academic sector
  • International mobility
  • Building collaborative networks
  • Trainings to enhance career opportunities
  • Application of postdoctoral grants (MSCA, Juan de la Cierva, etc.)
  • Application for projects and funding (Horizon Europe, national plans, etc.)
  • Involvement in teaching, supervision, or mentoring

Expected Outputs

  • PhD defense
  • Application of grants (MSCA, Juan de la Cierva, etc.)
  • Publication of articles
  • Patenting
  • Developing new products, solutions, or services
  • Attendance to international conferences

Training Skills

  • Project Management
  • Time Management
  • Grant Writing
  • Communication to the civil society and public engagement
  • Open Science
  • Ethics and Research Integrity
  • Policy making, such as Green Deal and sustainable practices
  • Intellectual Property
  • Research Valorization
  • Business skills, negotiation, marketing
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Leadership
  • Training for job interviews, CV writing
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