Costas Nikiforidis

Dr. Costas Nikiforidis serves as Associate Professor of Biobased Soft Materials at Wageningen University & Research, where he leads a team of 10 PhD candidates, 1 postdoctoral researcher, and several undergraduate students. After studying Chemistry at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece, and completing his PhD in Physical Chemistry of Foods, he joined Wageningen University over a decade ago. His research focuses on bio-sourcing molecules and molecular complexes for creating sustainable and functional materials, with particular emphasis on understanding molecular interactions in biomass for sustainable separations. His work spans natural complexes, supramolecular chemistry, and biomass separation, contributing significantly to sustainable food production and material development. With over 60 peer-reviewed publications, one patent, and numerous speaking invitations at conferences, universities, and companies, he has established himself as a leading voice in biobased materials research. His highly-cited work includes groundbreaking research on oil bodies, protein-based structures, and sustainable food production concepts, demonstrating the practical applications of his research in both food and material sciences. Through his leadership of the Biobased Soft Materials team, he continues to advance our understanding of property-function relationships in biosourced molecules and their applications in sustainable materials development.