Biography:

Intrigued by nature's chemical complexity, Dr. Ignea focuses her research on the discovery and production of high-value compounds through biological synthesis using Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology approaches. She followed an unconventional career path, transitioning to science after a pedagogical career, during which she attained Full Professor status, and earning a law degree.

Dr. Ignea holds a BEng in Biotechnology from USAMVBT in Romania and specialized in Natural Products (Cum Maxima Laude) and Protein Biotechnology in Greece, where she completed her PhD at the University of Crete. She completed prestigious postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Copenhagen, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, pioneering the synthesis of new-to-nature terpenoids in yeast.

She is also the recipient of the Faculty Scholar Award from John M. Bishop & family for her research in Sustainability and Design, as well as the Scott Taylor ELATE Award for her contributions to engineering education.

Memberships: 

Centre for Structural Biology Research (CRBS), Biological and Biomedical Engineering (BBME), The Trottier Institute of Sustainability in Engineering and Design (TISED), McGill Systems Sustainability Initiative (MSSI), McGill Win4Science, Quebec Circular Economy Research Network (RQREC), Quebec Sustainable Agricultural Network (RQRAD), AIChE - Women in Chemical Engineering, AIChE - Society for Biological Engineering, American Chemcical Society (ACS), CIHR College of Reviewers, Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA-ACEG), Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA), Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE).

Fun Fact:

She loves dogs (owner of 2 greyhounds) and opera.

Favourite Quote: