Prof. Dr. Lourdes M. Orejuela-Escobar | Universidad San Francisco de Quito | Ecuador
Prof. Dr. Lourdes M. Orejuela-Escobar is an accomplished and dynamic scholar recognized for her pioneering contributions to biomass valorization, sustainable and circular bioeconomy, and the engineering of high-value-added bioproducts. She earned her Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA, where she also completed diplomas and master’s studies in Bio-based Materials and Macromolecular Science, alongside an MSc in Organic Chemistry Technology from Universitatea si Politehnic Bucuresti, Romania. Currently serving as Emeritus Professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Ecuador, she has over two decades of teaching and research excellence, having co-directed the GICAS Research Laboratory and collaborated with numerous international institutions. Her professional engagements include consultancy roles with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), ECLAC-UN, and Geocircular Consulting Group, focusing on sustainable bioeconomy strategies and circular engineering initiatives. Dr. Orejuela-Escobar has led and participated in over 25 major research projects across Latin America, Europe, and Asia, supported by prominent funding bodies such as SENESCYT, CEDIA, ARES Belgium, and UNDP. Her research encompasses green synthesis of nanomaterials, biomass-based energy-efficient materials, microalgae biorefineries, and sustainable bioethanol production from agro-industrial waste. She has spearheaded projects integrating artificial intelligence in biomass valorization and developed innovative solutions for environmental remediation, water disinfection, and sustainable packaging, with several patents registered for her novel biotechnological processes. As co-director and principal investigator, she has strengthened multidisciplinary collaborations with universities in Belgium, Japan, Venezuela, and the United States, among others. Her work has been featured in high-impact journals such as Sustainability and Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, contributing significantly to applied bioengineering and environmental science. With over 60 scientific publications, numerous book chapters, and conference presentations, her research has achieved more than 900 citations and an h-index of 17 (Google Scholar), underscoring her international influence. She has presented at more than fifty scientific events and served as a panel expert at major symposia promoting circular economy innovation in Latin America. Her contributions extend beyond academia through technical consulting, mentoring of graduate research, and development of public–private partnerships advancing bio-based industries. Dr. Orejuela-Escobar continues to drive interdisciplinary initiatives linking biotechnology, circular engineering, and sustainability, shaping policies and innovations for a greener, circular, and inclusive future.
Featured Publications
Naranjo, E., Hernández Guerra, I., & Orejuela-Escobar, L. (2025). Biopolímeros: alternativa ecoamigable y sostenible en la recuperación mejorada de petróleo. ACI Avances en Ciencias e Ingenierías, 17(2).
Landázuri, A. C., Pullas, Y., Prócel, L. M., Niebieskikwiat, D., Orejuela‐Escobar, L. M., León, M., Guerrero, V. H., Herrera, N., Luciani, C., & Chacón‐Torres, J. C. (2025). Tunable dielectric carbon materials from hydrothermally nanostructured organic carbon sources. ChemPhysChem, 26(12), e202400711.
Mathura, S. R., Landázuri, A. C., Mathura, F., Andrade Sosa, A. G., & Orejuela-Escobar, L. M. (2024). Hemicelluloses from bioresidues and their applications in the food industry – towards an advanced bioeconomy and a sustainable global value chain of chemicals and materials. Sustainable Food Technology, 2(1), 35.
Orejuela-Escobar, L., Venegas-Vásconez, D., & Méndez, M. A. (2024). Opportunities of artificial intelligence in valorisation of biodiversity, biomass and bioresidues – towards advanced bio-economy, circular engineering, and sustainability. International Journal of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Research, 13(2), 76–89.
Jara-Medina, N. R., Sundaramanickam, A., Cueva, D. F., Cedeño-Pinargote, A. C., Gualle, A., Aguilera-Pesantes, D., Méndez, M. Á., Orejuela-Escobar, L., Cisneros-Heredia, D. F., Cortez-Zambrano, R., et al. (2024). Eco-alternative treatments for Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae biofilms from shrimp industry through Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) and Guava (Psidium guajava) extracts: A road for an Ecuadorian sustainable economy. PLOS ONE, 19(8), e0304126.
Venegas-Vásconez, D., Orejuela-Escobar, L., Valarezo-Garcés, A., Guerrero, V. H., Tipanluisa-Sarchi, L., & Alejandro-Martín, S. (2024). Biomass valorization through catalytic pyrolysis using metal-impregnated natural zeolites: From waste to resources. Polymers, 16(13), 1912.
Hidalgo Robayo, N., Lantsoght, E. O. L., Batallas Tituaña, J., Montenegro Défaz, M., Játiva, F., & Orejuela-Escobar, L. (2024). Initial study on natural fibers for use in concrete mixes as a sustainable materials alternative. ACI Avances en Ciencias e Ingenierías, 16(1).