DrSebastian Espinel Rios

I am an Assistant Professor (Ad Astra Fellow) of Bioproduction at UCD's School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering (SCBE). My research develops tailored computational methods for advanced modeling, optimization, and intelligent control to support the digitalization of the biotechnology industry, combining mechanistic, AI-driven, and hybrid approaches across in-cell, external, and multiscale levels. To achieve this, I take a systems-of-systems approach that integrates concepts from Process Systems Engineering (PSE), Systems Biology (SB), and Scientific Machine Learning (SciML). I am also involved in Rinn Pharma & Biopharma, Ireland's national centre for Research & Innovation in Making Medicines, and serve as Head of Engagement at SCBE.

I hold a PhD in Engineering, awarded summa cum laude, from the International Max Planck Research School at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems and Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Germany). I also hold an MSc in Biotechnology, with a specialization in Process Technology, from Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), and a BSc in Biotechnology Engineering from the Autonomous University of Yucatán (Mexico). My postdoctoral research experience includes positions at Princeton University's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (USA) and CSIRO, Australia's national science agency.