Andrés Merino-Restrepo

Andrés is a postdoctoral scholar in petroleum microbiology at the University of Alberta, where he completed his Ph.D. in bioresource technology, developing catalytic pathways to produce sustainable aviation fuels from waste lipids. His current research focuses on microbial biodegradation of petroleum contaminants and the circular transformation of environmental liabilities into valuable products. Andrés also teaches General, Physical and Organic Chemistry and Petroleum Chemistry at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and has led science workshops for youth in Colombia since 2016, integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern biotechnology. His broader interests span biofuels, bioremediation, and environmental biotechnology.