Getachew Gebrehiwet

Getachew Gebrehiwet is a chemical engineer with expertise in anaerobic digestion, carbon capture and utilization (CCU), and waste valorisation for renewable energy and circular-economy applications. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological and Chemical Engineering from Mekelle University (Ethiopia) and an MSc in Chemical Engineering (Environmental Engineering) from Addis Ababa University, where his thesis investigated biogas production via co-digestion of brewery wastewater and excess yeast.

He also completed the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Chemical Innovation and Regulation, delivered across the University of Algarve (Portugal), University of Bologna (Italy), and University of Barcelona (Spain). His master’s thesis focused on the design of a biochar monolith for carbon capture and transformation to renewable chemicals (VFAs), supported by research experience in biochar composite preparation and characterization, gas fermentation reactor operation, and analytical workflows including GC-MS, GC-TCD, FTIR, and COD measurements. 

Across academic and applied settings, he has developed strong expertise in bioprocess operation and monitoring, materials and gas-phase analysis, and process performance evaluation, and has contributed to dissemination through conference participation and presentation in the field of CCU. He also served as an Assistant Lecturer at Wolkite University (2016–2022), teaching core chemical engineering subjects and supporting sustainability-oriented initiatives focused on converting waste to energy. 

As a Doctoral Candidate in the NEUTEN project (DC7) at the University of Aveiro, Getachew will work on carbon dioxide capture and injection in anaerobic digestion to promote methane production. His project targets upgraded digester configurations capable of simultaneous CO₂ bio-sequestration and enhanced CH₄ generation, evaluating both a DIET-strengthened methanogenic reactor (with biochar addition) and a CO₂-pressurized methanogenic reactor, supported by continuous monitoring of methane yield, CO₂ reduction, intermediates, and microbial community dynamics.