The Bioceb Cohort 5, jointly with Dr Marie-Charlotte Belhomme, brought together more than 130 participants including students, professors and researchers for the 2nd edition of the Green Chemistry “Rendez-vous”, held at the Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA).
The seminar highlighted recent advancements and innovative approaches to sustainable chemistry, inspiring attendees to rethink traditional practices and adapt greener alternatives.
Moderated by Bioceb Cohort 5th students – Ayesha Ghazanfar and Anvarshu Gopal, the seminar kicked off with a brief introduction to Green Chemistry and its 12 Principles, setting the stage for a day of exploration.
Pr. Stéphanie Baumberger, the coordinator of Bioceb introduced the master’s program and emphasized its multidisciplinary approach and its commitment to leading the world towards sustainability.
The seminar was then followed by an interactive icebreaking activity organised by the Bioceb cohort 5, sparking engagement as attendees shared their background fields and enthusiasm for green chemistry.
The seminar was divided into two parts, with the first part dedicated to presentation by Bioceb cohort 5th students in trio/pairs - Lucy Burgess, Muhammad Faisal Afridi and Pedro J. Martinez, Anvarshu Gopal and Olga Rzeszutek, Muhammad Afaq Khan and Bazil E. Maikah, Ayesha Ghazanfar and Hoang Anh Nguyen who shared recent publications on Lignin valorisation, micellar catalysis, mechanochemistry, and CO2 utilization.
These concise 5-minute presentations provided valuable insights into the practical applications of green chemistry principles across various fields. Moderation passed to Lucy Burgess and Pedro J. Martinez; the presentations sparked engaging discussions, offering the audience a deeper understanding of the transformative potential of green chemistry. Congratulations to all the Bioceb students for their outstanding presentations!
The jury for the seminar consisted of esteemed experts: Pr. Stéphanie Baumberger from Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin for Plant Sciences, Coordinator of Bioceb and head of the Bioraffinerie – Chimie Verte program at AgroParisTech; Dr. Céline Guillermain, from Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de Reims and coordinator of the Master’s program in Biotechnologies at URCA; Geoffroy Prevost, Project Manager at Accustica; and Dr. Angélique Rat, from Résistance Induite et Bio-protection des Plantes. Their diverse expertise brought valuable perspectives to evaluating the presentations and they awarded the prize for the best presentation to Lucy Burgess, Muhammad Faisal Afridi and Pedro J. Martinez for their outstanding work. Congratulations to them for delivering an exceptional presentation!
The second part of the seminar featured captivating talks from esteemed speakers, providing a deeper dive into groundbreaking advancements in green chemistry and sustainability.
• Dr. Christophe Bliard, whose presentation, "Building with CO2: A Path from Earth to the Moon," explored the role of CO2 in off-planet research and sustainable building materials.
• Pr. Stéphanie Baumberger, who delved into lignin biorefinery with her talk, "A Cascading Biorefinery Approach Harnessing Lignin Heterogeneity," highlighting innovative strategies to transform biomass into valuable resources.
The seminar provided ample opportunities for participants to connect during coffee breaks, where they explored a curated timeline of green chemistry milestones and exchanged ideas for future collaborations.
The seminar also welcomed the attendance of Bioceb Cohort 4 students, who had previously organized the first edition of the ‘Green Chemistry Rendez vous’ in collaboration with Dr. Marie-Charlotte Belhomme.
The event concluded with heartfelt remarks from the moderators and a special acknowledgment of the seminar’s organizers, including a closing statement by Dr. Marie-Charlotte Belhomme.
Why It Matters:
Green Chemistry is more than a scientific discipline—it is a pathway to a sustainable future. Events like this seminar underline the importance of education, collaboration and innovation in creating a resilient, environmentally friendly world.
We extend our gratitude to the speakers, jurors and attendees who made this event a resounding success. Let us continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable science for a greener tomorrow!
Pictures taken by Olga Rzeszutek ; Article written by Anvarshu Gopal.
Updated January 2025