Professor Sebastien Farnaud

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Sebastien is Professor of Enterprise and Innovation in Healthcare Technology, in the Institute of Health and Well-being, where he provides strategic direction, leadership and management of Enterprise and Innovation to develop the academic portfolio within both Centres, CSELS and CIH. His own research interests include the application of biotechnology in the development of sustainable methods in closed-loop systems. As part of his focus on Bioremediation, Sebastien created the Bioleaching Research Group, which promotes the use of microorganisms to extracts metals. His funding portfolio includes a number of collaborative schemes with industry, including several KTP several KTPs and Innovate UK projects. Among these, Sebastien is leading an innovate-funded KTP Bioleaching project, in collaboration with N2S Ltd, https://n2s.co.uk/Link opens in a new window for the recycling of precious metal from electronic waste.

In addition to his interest in Microbiological and Biotech applications, his research expertise also includes the biomedical aspects of iron metabolism, particularly in Parkinson Disease, and also the development of antimicrobial peptides.

Scientific Inspiration

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Count de Buffon, French naturalist, mathematician, and cosmologist, the father of modern natural history in the second half of the 18th century. As Darwin recognised in the fourth edition of the origin of species, "the first author who in modern times has treated it [evolution] in a scientific spirit was Buffon”. The real precursor of modern natural history, of free thinking!

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: supportive, student-centred, collaborative.

Provision of Training

I consider PhD to a choice, so should be student-led from the start. I will make sure that the student have the necessary knowledge and skills, and make sure that they received the required training, either by myself or the more experienced technician/post-doc if necessary.

I would expect independence as early as possible, but will be providing support and guidance all along the PhD. I will expect that during the PhD, the students will develop expertise of their own, and strong independence. I hope the students will learn from me, but I expect to learn from them.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I expect the students to take full ownership of their progression, but come to me when they need help troubleshooting and support. We will work in partnership.

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of method development/data generation results on a daily/weekly basis. I will set out my expectations of the students’ progression on a weekly/monthly basis. If these progression criteria are not met we will always discuss a plan of action together. A PhD implies high expectations and will always encourage you to your full potential, but keeping in mind that the PhD is the student choice and privilege, and should be enjoyed. Therefore, I am here for advice and guidance to help you reach the goals you set for yourself, and enjoy this unique time.

Communication

I am always available. Sometimes will be set as regular weekly supervisory meetings, but I can be reached at all hours of the day and night, by email or phone.

I will expect the students to manage their work/life balance, but I think the PhD work goes beyond a 9 to 5 conventional workday. I will not check the students’ presence in the laboratory but I expect, for their own sake, that result will be provided. As I am aware that communication with a Director of Study might be too formal for some, I hope that communication can be found with other supervisors, but also colleagues in the Centre. Several WhatsApp group chat are available to PhD students, which should provide means to communicate during the week and weekends. Whilst I expect the students to keep up with my/ team communications.

I am happy to discuss not only any issues that are impacting the students ability to fulfil their potential as part of their study, but also any personal issue that are not directly related to the project work, and help them to find a solution if I can. I will also direct you towards pastoral support from the postgraduate research student support team if they can help.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once a week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once a week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once a week

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once a week

These meetings will be a mixture of face to face, via video chat or telephone, and I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Current Projects (2025-26)

Primary supervisor for:

Development of bioleaching-based sustainable processes to recover silver from photographic film and film development

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Development of bioleaching-based sustainable processes to recover silver from photographic film and film development

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Fatemah Pourhossein Alamdari

University of Registration: Coventry University

BBSRC Research Themes: Renewable Resources and Clean Growth (Industrial Biotechnology)

Project Outline

The global demand for metals is growing, while primary resources are being depleted. The need for the development of sustainable approaches to recover metals from waste streams, while protecting the environment, has been recognised by both DEFRA and the UN. Silver is one of these metals, with major economic implication.

Despite its benefits, silver is a regulated element because free silver ions are highly toxic to aquatic organisms. While silver is generally considered non-toxic to humans due to its inertness, high concentrations of silver salts can cause organ damage and skin discoloration. It is also classified as a secondary contaminant in drinking water. As a result, photographic waste containing significant amounts of silver can be hazardous if improperly disposed of (Adie et al., 2022). Silver is designated as a "priority pollutant" under the Clean Water Act due to its potential environmental impact. Additionally, under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), silver is considered an indicator of hazardous solid waste when leachate contains concentrations exceeding threshold limit values. These limits are set at 0.1 mg/m³ for metallic silver and 0.01 mg/m³ for soluble silver compounds, based on the permissible exposure limit (PEL)(Drake and Hazelwood, 2005).

Despite the rise of digital photography, film waste is still generated from photography, medical imaging, and industrial processes, and remains an environmental concern. However, its sustainable recycling can minimise environmental impact, and would provide an alternative source for silver. Traditional recycling methods are unsustainable, as pyrometallurgy emits hazardous gases and particles, and hydrometallurgy produces heavy metal-contaminated wastewater, often exceeding permissible exposure limits for silver. Contrarily to these methods, Bio-hydrometallurgy, a novel approach in waste treatment, uses microorganisms for metal extraction, with minimal environmental impact and low resource requirements. The aim of this project is to develop sustainable bioleaching-based processes for silver recovery from films and film processing.

This proposal will utilise the ability of microorganisms to solubilise metals into technological solutions to recover silver, a metal of fundamental importance in multiple technologies. As such, the connection between microbiology and bio-engineering will translate fundamental science into a higher technology readiness level. Ultimately, this proposal is targeting a closed-loop system with environmental, economic and social impact, in agreement with the UN Sustainability Development Goals 7 to 13. As only a few studies have investigated bioleaching of silver, this is a novel application of bioleaching to the waste industry and an addition to the Bioleaching Research Group’s successful track record in developing bioleaching processes for metal recovery from waste, alongside their translation into industrial applications. This work introduces an integrated, sustainable solution for silver recovery from solid waste, utilizing a semi-continuous bioreactor part of a closed-loop system without fumes and below the permissible limit exposure. In this process, silver is bio-chemically dissolved and efficiently recovered through biosorption. The development of mathematical modelling for bio-processes represents a significant innovation that provides a deeper understanding of mechanism of microbial-mediated silver extraction, allowing for the efficient optimization and scaling up of the process, while providing closed-loop recycling systems. The approach emphasizes environmental sustainability and resource efficiency, making it a promising method for urban waste management and circular economy practices.

The innovative aspects of this research plan include the use of bioleaching and advanced microbial engineering, customized solutions for diverse waste streams, integration of multi-step recovery processes, mathematical modelling for optimization, the establishment of closed-loop recycling systems, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This project highlights our commitment to innovation and sustainability, and reinforces our leadership in the field of environmental biotechnology. The research excellence of adding mathematical modelling to the emerging field of bioleaching, will have industrial, economic and environmental Impacts. The project will benefit from existing collaboration with the Bioleaching Research Group within CU, including John Graves from CMM for the electrochemistry, Matthew England from CSM for the mathematical modelling and Craig Ashley from FAH for providing photographic material.

Project objectives

1) Development of a two-steps silver bioleaching/biosorption process for the treatment of waste from films.

2) Investing biosorption and electro-chemical processes to recover solubilised silver from bioleaching solutions.

3) Development of mathematical models of the bioleaching/biosorption processes.

4) Combining the biological methods to establish closed-loop recycling systems that promote circular economy principles for sustainable resource management.

References

Adie, G.U., Shoneye, H.O., Iniaghe, P.O., 2022. Optimizing Silver Extraction Potential from Waste X-Ray Films Using Acid and Alkaline Leaching Agents. Annals of Science and Technology 7, 21–28. https://doi.org/10.2478/ast-2022-0006.

Drake, P.L., Hazelwood, K.J., 2005. Exposure-related health effects of silver and silver compounds: A review. Annals of Occupational Hygiene. https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mei019.