Prof. Dr Jeferson Piccin: Titular professor at University of Passo Fundo, Brazil
Dr. Jeferson Steffanello Piccin is a Brazilian scientist and educator, currently serving as a Full Professor at the University of Passo Fundo (UPF). His career blends academic research, teaching, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on sustainable technologies in the food and environmental sectors. A holder of the CNPq Research Productivity Fellowship (Level 2), he is known for advancing biotechnological and unconventional processes aimed at waste valorization and the development of bio-based products. He is also the co-founder of SemioCrop Agrobiotecnologia, where he leads R&D efforts to support sustainable agricultural practices through On-Farm bioinput production.
Online Profiles
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UPF Homepage: www.upf.br
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ResearchGate/Google Scholar/ORCID: (Not listed, but can be added upon request or search.)
These profiles showcase Dr. Piccin’s academic qualifications, research projects, teaching experience, and collaborations, offering a complete overview of his contributions to engineering and environmental science.
Education
Dr. Piccin earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in 2013, under the supervision of Prof. Mariliz Gutterres Soares. He holds a Master’s in Food Engineering and Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG, 2009), focusing on adsorption and biopolymers, and completed his undergraduate studies in Food Engineering at the University of Passo Fundo (UPF, 2006). He also undertook professional and technical training in quality, safety, and experimental optimization, as well as a technical agricultural course at CAFW.
Research Focus
Dr. Piccin’s research centers on waste valorization, with particular emphasis on the use of biopolymers, adsorption technologies, and biotechnological processes to create high-value products from agro-industrial residues. His interdisciplinary work spans food science, environmental engineering, and chemical process optimization, aiming to solve real-world problems such as water contamination, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy challenges. He is a member of two strategic research groups at UPF that target innovative food production and environmental remediation.
Experience
Over the past decade, Dr. Piccin has built a robust academic and professional profile. He has held progressive teaching roles at UPF since 2011, teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate programs in food, chemical, and environmental engineering. He served as the Coordinator of the Food Engineering course (2014–2018) and was a key member in designing the Chemical Engineering curriculum. In the industry, he gained hands-on experience with Bunge Alimentos and Peccin S/A, working in process control, extraction systems, and industrial operations. He also contributes actively to faculty development, curriculum planning, and interdisciplinary education.
Research Timeline
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2023–Present: Coordinator of BeiCrop Lab, focused on On-Farm bioinput production to reduce Brazil’s dependence on imported agrochemicals.
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2022–Present: Lead investigator on the development of fungal chitosan-based adsorbents for pharmaceutical removal in aquatic systems, funded by FAPERGS and CNPq.
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2011–Present: Principal researcher at UPF in two research lines: food and ingredient bioprocesses, and environmental treatment technologies.
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2009–2013: PhD research on the application of biopolymers and adsorption in chemical and environmental engineering contexts.
This timeline reflects continuous engagement in applied, interdisciplinary research that addresses sustainability in food and environmental sectors.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Piccin holds a Level 2 Research Productivity Fellowship from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), awarded for his impactful scientific contributions. He has received competitive funding from FAPERGS, FINEP, and CNPq for projects focused on bioinput development and pharmaceutical contaminant removal. His role as a coordinator, course leader, and committee member within UPF reflects recognition for his academic leadership and institutional service. Additionally, his entrepreneurial work with SemioCrop has positioned him at the forefront of sustainable agricultural technology innovation in Brazil.
Top-Noted Publication
Among Dr. Piccin’s standout scientific outputs is his work on adsorbent composite materials using fungal-derived chitosan, which addresses the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from water. This publication is notable for combining green chemistry, waste reuse, and environmental protection—demonstrating his strength in integrating biotechnology and process engineering. The research has gained traction in environmental science and sustainability circles and reflects his broader focus on practical, eco-friendly engineering solutions.
1. Marchezi, G., Concolato, G., Colla, L. M., & Piccin, J. S. (2025). Optimizing submerged fermentation conditions of Aspergillus niger for chitin production. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-025-05323-z
2. Marchezi, G., Concolato, G., Colla, L. M., & Piccin, J. S. (2025, April 9). Obtaining chitin through the optimization of submerged fermentation conditions of the fungus Aspergillus niger [Preprint]. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5844183/v1
3. Krein, D. D. C., Emer, C. D., Dettmer, A., & Piccin, J. S. (2024). Anthocyanin: A review of the technologies for obtaining the compound. Ciência e Natura, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.5902/2179460X84237
4. Melara, F., da Silva, L. K., Sanderi, D. M., Krein, D. D. C., Machado, T. S., Dettmer, A., & Piccin, J. S. (2024). Enhanced efficiency fertilizer: A review on technologies, perspectives, and research strategies. Environment, Development and Sustainability, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05468-7
5. Schommer, V. A., Vanin, A. P., Nazari, M. T., Ferrari, V., Dettmer, A., Colla, L. M., & Piccin, J. S. (2023). Biochar-immobilized Bacillus spp. for heavy metals bioremediation: A review on immobilization techniques, bioremediation mechanisms and effects on soil. Science of the Total Environment, 886, 163385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163385
Strength of the Best Innovator Award
1. Translational Research for Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. Piccin has successfully bridged the gap between academic research and agricultural innovation. As co-founder of SemioCrop Agrobiotecnologia, he leads the development of On-Farm bioinput technologies that empower farmers to produce their own microbial inputs, reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers and imports. This practical solution directly contributes to sustainability, cost-efficiency, and national agricultural resilience.
2. Valorization of Waste through Green Technologies
His research consistently focuses on waste-to-resource strategies, converting agro-industrial residues into high-value products like biopolymers and adsorbents. By employing fungi such as Aspergillus niger in submerged fermentation systems, Dr. Piccin’s work enables eco-friendly extraction of compounds like chitin, aligning with circular economy principles and reducing environmental burden.
3. Interdisciplinary Integration in Engineering
Combining expertise in chemical, food, and environmental engineering, Dr. Piccin creates innovative process solutions. He has developed composite adsorbents for water purification, reviewed advanced fertilizer technologies, and explored anthocyanin extraction processes. This broad knowledge integration allows for multifaceted innovations with real-world impact across industries.
4. Strong Academic-Industry Linkage
Through projects funded by CNPq, FAPERGS, and FINEP, and in his role at UPF and SemioCrop, Dr. Piccin connects academia with industry needs. His leadership in the BeiCrop Lab exemplifies how targeted research initiatives can directly support national policy goals in food security and environmental health, ensuring innovations are market-responsive and scalable.
5. Proven Impact through Publications and Partnerships
Dr. Piccin’s work is internationally recognized, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals like Science of the Total Environment and Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. His projects involve multidisciplinary teams and collaborations with national institutions, reflecting a robust ecosystem of innovation fueled by science, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development goals.