Paola Branduardi is Professor in Chemistry of Fermentation and Industrial Microbiology at the University of Milano Bicocca. Since 2021 she is the University Representative of the JRU IBISBA-IT, since 2022 IT deputy in the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE-JU), and since July 2024 Chair of the Microbial Biotechnology Division of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB).

She is interested in the development of bioprocesses based on residual biomass & microbial metabolism as in the concept of biorefineries and biomanufacturing. Synthetic biology, metabolic & bioprocess engineering, screening protocols are the approaches used to leverage microbial potential to match industrial requirements. The research in her group is supported by grants from funding agencies and industrial partners. Co-founder and CSO of two University spin-off companies. Paola has broad teaching experience ranging from bachelor level to graduate and PhD training in the fields of microbiology, industrial biotechnology, synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.