Aalto University Bioinnovation Centre launching

The Bioinnovation Centre will be a multidisciplinary research and learning center accelerating transition to a circular and bioeconomy and creating opportunities for sustainable economic growth in Finland.

Professor Michael Hummel will start as the Director of the Bioinnovation Centre in 2021. “Michael Hummel has a strong scientific background in biopolymer chemistry and engineering. He is very well connected both nationally and internationally and has shown excellent abilities to work across different disciplines. I am convinced that with his energy and drive, the new Bioinnovation Centre has the best possible start,’ says Kristiina Kruus, Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering, also responsible for starting the new Centre.

‘The Bioinnovation Centre is an exciting cross-disciplinary initiative to strengthen Finland’s role as bioeconomy forerunner,’ says Michael Hummel. ‘I feel very honored to be selected for this position and look forward to working with academic colleagues, industry partners, and decision makers towards sustainable solutions for current and future challenges.’

Michael Hummel started at Aalto University in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems in 2019 as Associate Professor. His research area is to explore the structural features and behaviour of biopolymer solutions and suspensions to produce value-added products. He has received two EU funded ERC grants among others, and Hummel is also the Head of Aalto Bachelor’s Programme in Science and Technology – Chemical Engineering.