Clean Technol. 2021 Young Investigator Award: Announcement and Interview with the Winner

After an extensive voting period, we are pleased to present the winner of the Clean Technol. 2021 Young Investigator Award: Dr. Francesco Galiano.

Dr. Francesco Galiano has been a researcher at the Institute on Membrane Technology of the National Research Council of Italy (ITM-CNR) since 2019. Dr. Francesco Galiano’s main research activities are oriented towards the preparation, characterization, and application of polymeric membranes (in flat and hollow fiber configuration) for water treatment and purification processes. His latest research is devoted to the development of membranes using more sustainable materials such as green solvents and biopolymers.

Dr. Francesco Galiano received his Ph. D. in 2013 and has an outstanding publication record, comprising 63 publications in peer-reviewed international journals, two international patents, 12 chapters published in international books, and more than 70 presentations in national and international conferences. Dr. Francesco Galiano has 77 Scopus scientific citations and a Hirsch index of 22. He is clearly a rising star in the field of membrane technology. In 2019, he was awarded the Seal of Excellence by the European Commission for his high-quality project proposal submitted under the Horizon 2020’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions. In 2014, he was awarded the prize for the best oral presentation at the International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes (ICOM) held in Suzhou, China. This is an exceptional achievement in today’s competitive environment. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Francesco Galiano for his outstanding achievements.

On behalf of the Clean Technol. Editorial Office staff and award evaluation committee, we congratulate Dr. Francesco Galiano on his impressive activities and wish him all the best for his future career.

Interview with the Winner:

1. Could You Briefly Introduce Yourself to the Readers?

Hi, I am Francesco Galiano, I am 34, and I grew up in a village on the Tyrrhenian seacoast in the Italian region of Calabria. I studied at the University of Calabria (Italy), where I obtained my MSc in Pharmacy in 2009 and my Ph.D. in Organic Materials of Pharmaceutical Interest in 2013. In 2019, I was appointed as a permanent researcher at the Institute on Membrane Technology (ITM-CNR).

I am fond of travelling, and I love visiting archeological sites and ancient cities. During my free time, I enjoy doing sports, jogging, or reading a history book.

2. What Are You Currently Researching and Why Did You Choose This Research Field?

The main scope of my research lies in the field of membrane science. In particular, my research focuses on the preparation (in both flat sheet and hollow fiber configuration), characterization, and application of polymeric membranes to water treatment and pervaporation processes.

Recently, I have been focusing on the preparation of membranes using a more sustainable approach with a combination of green solvents and biopolymers, allowing the production of membranes with no toxic or harmful solvents and replacing the traditional fossil-based polymers with bio-derived alternatives.

I was attracted by scientific research while at university. My specialization in membranes goes back, however, to the work I conducted for my master’s thesis at ITM-CNR. After graduation, I had the opportunity to start working on a European project for developing new membranes applied to pervaporation processes. It was then that I decided to choose this major and to start a Ph.D. in membrane science.

3. Which Research Topics Do You Think Will Be of Particular Interest to the Research Community in the Coming Years?

Environmental issues represent one the greatest challenges that humanity will have to cope with in the near future. Water and air pollution together with climate change will pose serious risks to public health and to the survival of our planet.

The concept of environmental sustainability is intrinsically connected to environmental protection and safeguarding through the development of a model capable of satisfying the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own.

In this context, scientific research will increasingly play a key role in the development of innovations leading to a sustainable future by embracing and addressing the challenges promoted by the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, which includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

To achieve these ambitious objectives, key research topics will include the capturing and transformation of CO₂, the production and utilization of sustainable materials, the redesign and optimization of existing processes, and the implementation of renewable energies.

4. Have You Ever Encountered Any Difficulties When You Conduct Research? How Did You Overcome Them?

Like many researchers, I have come across several hurdles while carrying out my research. One of the most significant challenges is to learn from failures. Experiments often do not yield the results that you would hope for, but it is imperative never to give up. Negative results are also important, and they can contribute to building up our knowledge of the topic as much as positive results.

5. Which Qualities Do You Think Young Scientists Need?

Perseverance and patience are fundamental in our job. Many obstacles can be encountered along the way, but that should not lead to disillusion or loss of confidence.

It is important to never lose your passion for what you are doing.

6. Clean Technol. Is an Open Access Journal. How Do You Think Open Access Impacts the Authors?

Making research freely available to a vast audience is undoubtedly one of the most important benefits of open access. Moreover, open access can increase the visibility of the research works, which can be particularly important for young researchers who are grappling with building their reputation as scientists.

7. What Do You and Your Colleagues Think of Our Journal?

The scope and purpose of Clean Technologies perfectly match the topics of the membrane community from different points of view, such as environmental pollution remediation, sustainable development, environmentally friendly technologies, and CO₂ capture.

In this regard, Clean Technologies represents an essential reading and a reference point for a plethora of academic and industrial chemists, membranologists, and process and material engineers working at mitigating the environmental consequences of human activities.