Joy Zhang

I’m thrilled to lead the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and policy components of the BBSRC funded project, Engineering Biology Mission Hub for Environmental Processing and Recovery of Metals (ELEMENTAL).

Recovering critical minerals and metals will play a critical strategic role in circular economy and in pollution reduction/prevention. Key technical breakthroughs, such as new engineering insights into the cellular signalling system of metal ions, will also have significant implications for future biomedical innovations.

This £14 million programme is led by bioscientist Professor Martin Warren at the University of Kent, in collaboration with Quadram Institute, University of East Anglia, University of Manchester, Durham University, Natural History Museum, University College London, University of Surrey and the University of York. 

For the next five years, I will have the privilege to work with all partner institutions on the social, ethical and policy aspects of industrial biotechnology.