Valerio Paolini (M.Sc. and Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome) is Senior Researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research of the National Research Council of Italy. His research activities are focused on the environmental impact of bioenergy, and have included: biogas production from urban and agricultural waste and byproducts, purification of biomethane and its use as a vehicle fuel, emissions into the atmosphere of local air pollutants and global contaminants, life cycle assessment and life cycle cost of biofuels, development and validation of analytical methodologies for sampling and analysis of trace contaminants and quality control of biofuels, decarbonization strategies for the navigation sector, emission factors for alternative and sustainable urban mobility, hazardous waste management with novel resource efficiency and circular approaches.
Francesco Petracchini (M.Eng. in environmental engineering, Sapienza University of Rome; Ph.D. in environmental sciences, Ca’ Foscari University, Venice) is Technology Director of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), currently with the role of Director of the Department of Earth System Science and Environmental Technologies of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR). At the Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research of CNR he has previously worked as resposible of the Grant Office, coordinator of the Bioenery Group, Director of Institute, President of the Research Area. He has been principal investigator and scientific responsible of several national and international research projects related to air quality, biofuels and circular economy, establishing national and international collaborations with companies and research institutions on environment monitoring and protection.