Fellows

Valentin Bertorelli

I have been working for 3 years at StoraEnso as researcher within Innovative projects. Now working in the Biochemicals and Lignin application group and dedicated to the BioGlue-Center. I have a master in fiber and biomaterials engineering from Grenoble-INP Pagora and another master from KTH in chemical engineering with specialization within polymer sciences (Macromolecular materials).

When I am not working on new Innovation ideas, you can find me either swimming, cycling or running as part of my triathlon training.

My project has two aims: 

Scientific. Find potential novel chemistry candidates for functionalization to achieve the internal bonding strength and moisture resistance needed to replacement current fossil-based adhesives. Understand the chemistry and morphology, driving the wetting, adhesion and bonding on wood surfaces.

Technical. Develop routes to new bio-based adhesive alternatives with high potential bonding strength and moisture resistance. Characterization and testing of novel adhesive chemistry systems by suitable techniques.

mail: valentin.bertorelli@storaenso.com

 

Julio Conti

I got my PhD in Industrial Biotechnology at University of São Paulo, Brazil, in 2024. Has experience with synthesis and characterization of bio-based monomers, polymers, and composite materials, using raw materials such as triglycerides, lignocellulosic biomass, lignin, and others. Besides research, I also likes cooking, playing videogames, traveling and getting to know new people, places and cultures.

My project, entitled “Green chemistries for bio-based polymers”, from Work Package 1, aims the development of novel wood adhesives utilising renewable raw materials and a deep investigation on how different factors affect the adhesive performance.

Mail: jacs2@kth.se

 

Amanda Kaarna

I am a PhD student at SLU (at the department Wood science and technology). I have a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s in theoretical physics.

The aim of my project is to study bio-based wood adhesives with various microscopy techniques.

Mail: amanda.kaarna@slu.se

 

Sudhir Kamani

 I earned my Ph.D. in organic chemistry from National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, in 2018. From 2018 to 2022, i worked as a postdoctoral fellow at National Taiwan University and National Chung Hsing University, focusing on applying green chemistry tools in polymer chemistry. Between 2022 and 2024, I worked at Lund University under the supervision of Patric Jannasch and Baozhong Zhang, during this period I developed several bio-based monomers and polymers for packaging applications. From May of 2025, I am working at KTH with Eva Malmström to develop biobased adhesives, and study their instant tack properties on paper substrates.

Apart from work, I like to read the personality development books such as Atomic Habits written by James Clear. I like to go on to nature walks in nice sunny weather. I love nature and strongly believes in its immense power.

The aim of my project in work package 1: Design and prepare biobased glues for paper straw applications, characterize the tack property.

mail: kamani@kth.se

 

Mahesh Kuniyil

I hold a master's degree in Biomass Technology, jointly awarded by the Technical University of Munich and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna. Prior to that, I completed my bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calicut, Kerala, India.

My academic and research interests include wood science, biomass utilization, adhesives, life cycle assessment, sustainability, and mechanical testing methods.

Outside of academics, I enjoy playing football, cooking, reading on context and culture, watching meaningful films, and exploring nature!activities that help me stay balanced and inspired. 

This PhD project aims to identify and quantify the key factors that influence adhesive strength in bio-based adhesive systems. It focuses on understanding how adhesive mechanics, wood surface characteristics, and bonding conditions interact to affect both strength and durability. The research combines mechanical testing methods such as tensile shear and delamination resistance with material characterization techniques, including microscopy and contact angle analysis, to examine the adhesive–adherent interface. A key objective is to link laboratory-scale results with real-world performance, enhancing the ability to predict how bio-based adhesives will behave in practical applications. Ultimately, the project supports the development of more consistent, reliable, and sustainable adhesive solutions for engineered wood products. My project is in Work Package 2.

mail: mahesh.kuniyil@slu.se

 

Navamani Prakash

I’m a mechanical engineer with a strong background in composite materials, structural analysis, and finite element modeling. I completed my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Anna University in India, followed by a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, Italy.

Outside of research, I enjoy trekking, travelling, and cooking—especially exploring Italian and South Indian Food.

The aim of my PhD research is to investigate the interfacial fracture behavior of bio-adhesive bondlines in wood structures. This involves determining fracture properties such as Mode I and Mode II fracture energy and bond line stiffness through experimental testing (e.g., ENF and DCB) and Numerical approach using Finite Element modelling. The goal is to better understand the performance and reliability of sustainable adhesive systems in engineered wood products. This project is part of Work Package 2.

mail: navamani.prakash@slu.se

Carlos Rubio

I am Carlos Rubio, a PhD student at Linnaeus University. Originally from Spain, I hold a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. I also earned a master’s degree in Polymer Technology through a joint program between KTH and NTNU, where I collaborated with SINTEF on a research project focused on biofuel production using membranes.

My research interests include bio-based materials, adhesive technologies, and sustainable production systems. In my free time, I enjoy learning languages, travelling, reading, and dancing.

The aim of my project is to evaluate the applicability of bio-adhesives in the production of wood and fibre-based products. The research focuses on assessing the effect of application conditions on adhesive performance, exploring the relationship between rheological properties and processability, investigating curing behaviour, and identifying optimal application and curing methods to create stable bonds. This project is part of Work Package 3.

mail: carlos.rubio@lnu.se

 

Jonas Scheibe

I have been working since 2016 in the Wood Adhesives R&D team at AkzoNobel in Stockholm, Sweden, in different roles. Latest as a technical project leader for product development projects. Prior to this, I studied Chemical science and engineering at KTH, with a MSc in Macromolecular materials.

I have worked with a broad variety of wood adhesives chemistries, but mostly toward load-bearing applications such as glued laminated timber and cross laminated timber.

Since 2024, I am enrolled at KTH again, as an industrial PhD student within BioGlue-Centre.

My project focuses on scoping, understanding and developing biobased crosslinkers and thermosets for wood adhesive applications. It is conducted at AkzoNobel and KTH in Stockholm, and belongs to work package 1.

mail: jonas.scheibe@akzonobel.com

 

Nikoleta Valaka

My name is Nikoleta Valaka, I’m a materials engineer holding both a Diploma of Engineering and an Integrated MSc in Materials Science from the University of Ioannina in Greece. My diploma thesis was over medicinal chemistry, where my synthesis was used as part of the design of targeted conjugates of anticancer agents. After my graduation, I was an intern at the Division of Applied Materials Science at Uppsala University, with a 6-month scholarship through Erasmus+ placement program, where I was working on developing high-strength and translucent glass ceramic materials for dental applications.

Since 2024, I’m a PhD student in the BioGlue-Centre enrolled at SLU – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. I am a part of the team at WP2 and working on a project called “New methods for in situ analysis of curing reactions of bio-adhesives”. The aim of my project is to develop a new routine for real-time analysis of bio-based adhesive curing reactions, that could be used for optimum adhesive formulations and application, as well as for elucidating chemical reactions and physical changes that take place in the bonds during curing.

mail: nikoleta.valaka@slu.se

 

Faisal Zeeshan

I am a Doctorate in Sciences (Physics), PhD from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland and my thesis topic was "Laboratory based XAS measurements, Electron-induced double K-shell ionization of Sc, Cr and Cu and Chemical sensitivity of photoinduced Khβ hypersatellite transitions in Cr compounds".

My hobbies are playing cricket, table tennis, go to gym and spend time with family and friends.

Currently, I am employed by SLU as a Postdoc researcher, focusing to develop appropriate imaging and analytical methods (surface and interfacial adhesion, porous substrate structure, adhesive penetration at multiscale levels, adhesive curing, adhesive stability) for bio-adhesives coupled with 3D visualisation analysis, to obtain information about the spatial interactions between bio-adhesives (WP2), porous media, and moisture at the nm to mm scales.

mail: faisal.zeeshan@slu.se