Carmen-Mihaela Popescu

Dr. Habil. Carmen Popescu is a Leading Researcher (R4) at the Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romanian Academy, in Iași, Romania, and an Associate Researcher at the Centre for Wood Science and Technology, Edinburgh Napier University, UK. She was also an invited professor in Japan through two JSPS — Japan Society for the Promotion of Science — Invitational Fellowships.

Her research focuses on the design, development and advanced analysis of bio-based, bio(nano)composite and circular material systems. She has contributed to national and international research initiatives addressing the recycling and upcycling of secondary bio-based residues and end-of-life bio-based products, the extraction and valorisation of lignocellulosic waste streams, wood waste recycling, active food packaging, superabsorbent hydrogels, bio-based mulch foils, active seed coatings for agriculture, wood protection technologies and the development of improved bio-based products targeted for reuse, recycling, composting and biodegradation.

She also brings strong expertise in the advanced structure–property–function analysis of bio-based and (nano)composite materials, going beyond routine characterization towards the interpretation of material behaviour across composition, processing and performance. Her work integrates spectroscopic, thermal, crystallographic, surface and chemometric methods to understand compatibility, interfacial interactions, stability, durability, recyclability and functional performance in materials such as bio(nano)composites, hydrogels, coatings, packaging systems, wood-based products and other advanced material applications.

Throughout her career, Carmen has led and participated in 12 national and international scientific projects and 19 COST Actions. Her research experience has been strengthened through training and scientific exchanges at prestigious institutions in Japan, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland and other European and international research environments.

She is also involved in scientific publishing as an Associate Editor and Editorial Board Member for journals including the International Wood Products Journal, Wood Material Science and Engineering, Forests and Polymers.

Carmen actively supports international knowledge exchange by organizing and participating in conferences, workshops and research networking activities. Her scientific contribution has been recognized through her inclusion in the Stanford/Elsevier list of the world’s top 2% scientists. ORCID: 0000-0002-5740-524X.

In her work, she is committed to the development of sustainable technologies for waste management, reuse and recyclability, and to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across Europe and Asia. She is particularly interested in Horizon Europe collaborations on circular bio-based and (nano)composite materials, advanced structure–property–function analysis, recycling and upcycling of bio-based residues, functional coatings, packaging systems, hydrogels, wood-, paper- and textile-based products, and material solutions designed for reuse, recycling, composting or biodegradation.