Andrew J. Daugulis PhD, P.Eng, FCAE

Professor Emeritus; Queen's Research Chair in Biochemical and Cell Culture Engineering; Cross-appointed to the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences

Cross Appointed, Chemical Engineering, Emeritus Faculty
Phone: 613-985-7439 
Fax: 613-533-6637 

Expertise: Bioprocess Development, Cell Culture Engineering, Modeling and Simulation of Bioreactors, Partitioning Bioreactors for Biosynthetic and Bioremediation Applications
Andrew J. Daugulis
Biography Research Publications Awards & Grants

BSc, MESc, PhD, PDF from Queen’s University, Western University, Queen’s University and University of Waterloo.

Visiting Scholar (Sabbatical Leaves), Shell Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK (1987 and 2004).

Paid Consultant to: International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria; General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.; Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen, Denmark; Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa Ontario; E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Wilmington, Delaware; Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein and Fox, Washington DC (Expert Witness); Kirkland and Ellis, LLP, New York, NY (Expert Witness), Zymergen, Inc., Oakland CA.

Editorial Board Activities: Editor, Journal of Hazardous Materials; Advisory Editorial Board, Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology; Editorial Board, Biodegradation; Editorial Board, Biotechnology Letters; Editorial Board, Environmental Engineering and Management Journal

 My research has focused on the area of Biochemical and Cell Culture Engineering, with the aim of developing novel bioprocesses for both biotechnology and environmental applications. The research from our laboratory has created a Technology Platform known as two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs), which has now been adopted by Research Groups in more than 20 countries around the world, and has led to US/Canadian patents and commercial licenses. 

Successful examples have included the production of biofuels such as ethanol and acetone/butanol, commercially important high value neutraceuticals and biopharmaceutical precursor molecules, and the biodestruction of toxic substrates such as substituted phenols, endocrine disruptors, fracking fluids and PCBs. Through the application of rigorous thermodynamic predictions and experimental validation, the active sequestering phases in TPPBs in our laboratory have included immiscible organic solvents, ionic liquids, amorphous polymers, and ionomeric materials all acting to detoxify, and greatly enhance, bioprocess performance. (Refereed Journal Publications Since 2010)



Alexiou, J., Biro, R., Tremblay, A., Daugulis, A.J. and Parent J.S. Base-Functionalized Polymeric Chemisorbents for Succinic Acid Recovery from Aqueous Solution, Reactive and Functional Polymers, 2023 (In Press).

Biro, R, Daugulis, A.J. and Parent, J.S., Polymeric Ionic Liquid Absorbents for n-Butanol Recovery from Aqueous Solution, AIChE J. 68 (8) August 2022, e17676, https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.17676

Ma, X-k, Ma, H., Chen, Q., Ma, Y., Daugulis, A.J., Liang, J., and Zheng, P., The influence of monochromatic lights on flavonoid production by the fungus Sanghuangporus vaninii: Modeling of kinetic profiles and expression levels of important genes in flavonoid synthesis, Biochem. Eng. J., 166, 107876, (2021).

Zhao, W.W., Zhu, G., Daugulis, A.J., Chen, Q.,Ma, H-Y, Zheng, P., Liang, J. and Ma, J.K., Removal and biomineralization of Pb2+ in water by the fungus Phanerochaete chrysoporium, Journal of Cleaner Production, 260, 120980 (2020).

Tomei, M.C., Angelucci, D.M. and Daugulis, A.J., Self-regenerating tubing bioreactor for removal of toxic substrates: operational strategies in response to severe dynamic loading conditions, Science of the Total Environment, 723, 138019 (2020).

Vincent, R. H., Parent, J.S. and Daugulis, A.J, Using poly(vinyldodecylimidazolium bromide) for the in-situ product recovery of n-butanol, Biotechnol. Prog., 36, e2926 (2020). 

Mullins, N.R and Daugulis, A.J., The Biological Treatment of Synthetic Fracking Fluid in an Extractive Membrane Bioreactor: Selective Transport And Biodegradation Of Hydrophobic And Hydrophilic Contaminants, J.Hazard. Materials, 371, 734-742, (2019). 

Mullins, N.R and Daugulis, A.J., Characterization of Transport Through Polymers for Fracking Fluid Treatment and Organic Acid Concentration in Extractive Membrane Bioreactors, J.Chem Technol Biotechnol, 94,  690-700, (2019). 

Angelucci, D.M., Annesini, M.C., Daugulis, A.J. and Tomei, M.C., Polymer Extraction and Ex SituBiodegradation of Xenobiotic Contaminated Soil: Modeling of the Process Concept, J. Env. Mgmt, 230, 63-74 (2019).  

Priebe, X. And Daugulis, A.J., Thermodynamic Affinity-Based Considerations for the Rational Selection of Biphasic Systems for Microbial Flavour and Fragrance Production, J.Chem.Technol.Biotechnol.,93, 656-666 (2018) (More Information). 

Bacon, S.L., Ross, R.J., Daugulis, A.J. and Parent, J.S., Imidazolium-based Polyionic Liquid Absorbents for Bioproduct Recovery, Green Chemistry, 19, 5203-5213, (2017) (More Information). 

Tomei, M.C., Angelucci, D.M., Stazi, V. and Daugulis, A.J. On The Applicability of a Hybrid Bioreactor Operated With Polymeric Tubing for the Biological Treatment of Saline Wastewater, Science of the Total Environment, 599-600, 1056-1063, (2017) (More Information). 

Angelucci, D.M., Stazi, V., Daugulis, A.J., and Tomei, M.C., Treatment of Synthetic Tannery Wastewater in a Continuous Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor: Biodegradation of the Organic Fraction and Chromium Separation, J Cleaner Production, 152, 321-329 (2017) (More Information). 

Tomei, M.C., Mosca Angelucci, D. and Daugulis, A.J., A Novel Continuous Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor Operated With Polymeric Tubing: Performance Validation for Enhanced Biological Removal of Toxic Substrates, J. Env. Management, 187, 265-272 (2016). (More Information) 

Bacon, S.L., Daugulis, A.J. and Parent, J.S., Isobutylene-rich imidazolium ionomers for use in two-phase partitioning bioreactors, Green Chemistry, 18, 6586-6595  (2016). (More Information) 

Tomei, M.C., Angelucci, D.M and Daugulis, A.J., Sequential Anaerobic-aerobic Decolourization of a Real Textile Wastewater in a Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor, Science of the Total Environment, 573, 585-593 (2016). (More Information) 

Kleczek, M.R., Whitney, R.A., Daugulis, A.J. and Parent, J.S., Synthesis and Characterization of Thermoset Imidazolium Bromide Ionomers, Reactive and Functional Polymers, 106, 69-75, (2016) (More Information). 

Tomei, M.C., Angelucci, D.M. and Daugulis, A.J., Towards a Continuous Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor for Xenobiotic Removal, J. Haz Mat., 317, 403-415, (2016). (More Information). 

Ma, X-k, Ding, N., Peterson, E.C.,  and Daugulis, A.J. Heavy Metals Species Affect Fungal-Bacterial Synergism During the Bioremediation of Fluoranthene, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 100, 7741-7750, (2016) (More Information). 

Bacon, S.L., Daugulis, A.J. and Parent, J.S., Effect of Polymer Molecular Weight Distribution on Solute Sequestration in Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors, Chem Eng J., 299, 56-62, (2016) (More Information). 

Annesini, M.C., Tomei, M.C., Piemonte, V. and Daugulis, A.J. Xenobiotic Removal from Wastewater in a Two-phase Partitioning Bioreactor: Process modelling and Identification of Operational Strategies, Chem Eng J, 296, 428-436, (2016) (More Information). 

Peterson, E.C., Contreras-López, D., Harris, J., Parent, J.S. and Daugulis, A.J., Characterization of pH Dependence in Organic Acid Absorption with Non-reactive and Reactive Polymers for Application in Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors, Chem. Eng J., 287, 503-510, (2016). [More Information] 

Bacon, S.J., Peterson, E.C., Daugulis, A.J. and Parent J.S., Selecting Polymers for Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors (TPPBs): Consideration of Thermodynamic Affinity, Crystallinity and Glass Transition Temperature, Biotechnol. Prog., 31, 1500-1507, (2015). [More Information] 

Harris, J. and Daugulis, A.J., Biocompatibility of Low Molecular Weight Polymers for Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors, Biotechnol. Bioeng., 112, 2450-2458, (2015). [More Information] 

Pittman, M.J., Bodley, M.W. and Daugulis, A.J., Mass Transfer Considerations in Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors: A Polymer Selection Guide, J. Chem Technol. Biotechnol., 90, 1391-1399, (2015). [More Information] 

Tomei, M.C., Angelucci, D.M., Ademollo, N., and Daugulis, A.J., "Rapid and Effective Decontamination of Chlorophenol-Contaminated Soil by Sorption into Commercial Polymers: Concept Demonstration and Process Modeling", Journal of Environmental Management, 150, 81-91, 2015. [More Information] 

Peterson, E.C. and Daugulis, A.J., "The Use Of High Pressure CO2-Facilitated pH Swings to Enhance In Situ Product Recovery of Butyric Acid in a Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor," Bioitechnol. Bioeng. 111, 2183-2191, 2014. [More Information] 

Dafoe, J.T. Parent, J.T and Daugulis, A.J., "Block Copolymers as Sequestering Phases in Two-Phase Biotransformations: Effect of Constituent Homopolymer Properties on Solute Affinity," J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 89, 1304-1310, 2014. [More Information] 

Bacon, S.L., Parent, J.S. and Daugulis, A.J., "A Framework to Predict and Experimentally Evaluate Polymer-Solute Thermodynamic Affinity for Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor (TPPB) Applications," J. Chem Technol. Biotechnol. 89, 948-956, 2014 [More information]. 

Craig, Y. and Daugulis, A.J., "Strategies for Improved Bioproduction of Benzaldehyde by Pichia pastoris and the Use of Hytrel as Tubing Material for Integrated Product Removal by in situ Pervaporation," Biochem. Eng. Journal 82, 97-104, 2014 [More information]. 

Ma, X.K. and Daugulis, A.J., "Transformation of Ferulic Acid to Vanillin Using a Fed-Batch Solid–Liquid Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor," Biotechnol. Progr. 30, 207-214, 2014 [More information]. 

Dafoe, J.T. and Daugulis, A.J., "In-situ Product Removal in Fermentation Systems: Improved Process Performance and Rational Extractant Selection," Biotechnol Letters 36, 443-460, 2014 [More information]. 

Ma, X. K. and Daugulis, A.J., "Effect of Bioconversion Conditions on Vanillin Production by Amycolatopsis sp. ATCC 39116 Through an Analysis of Competing By-product Formation," Bioproc Biosys Eng 37, 891-899, 2014 [More information]. 

Annesini, M.C., Piemonte, V., Tomei, M.C. and Daugulis, A.J., "Analysis of the performance and criteria for rational design of a Sequencing Batch Reactor for Xenobiotic Removal," Chem Eng Journal 235, 167-175, 2014 [More information]. 

Peterson, E.C. and Daugulis, A.J., "Demonstration of in situ Product Recovery of Butyric Acid via CO2-Facilitated pH Swings and Medium Development in Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors," Biotechnol. Bioeng. 111, 537-544, 2014 [More information]. 

Dafoe, J.T., and Daugulis, A.J., "Production of 4-valerolactone by an Equilibrium-Limited Transformation in a Partitioning Bioreactor: Impact of Absorptive Polymer Properties," Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering 37, 533-542, 2014 [More information]. 

Tomei, M.C., Angelucci, D.M., and Daugulis, A.J., "The Use of Used Automobile Tires in a Partitioning Bioreactor for the Biodegradation of Xenobiotic Mixtures," Environmental Technology 35, 75-81, 2014 [More information]. 

Poleo, E.E. and Daugulis, A.J., "A Comparison of Three First Principles’ Methods for Predicting Solute-Polymer Affinity, and the Simultaneous Biodegradation of Phenol and Butyl Acetate in a Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor,"  J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 89, 88-96, 2014 [More information]. 

Tomei, M.C., Angelucci, D.M., Annesini, M.C. and Daugulis, A.J., "Ex situ Remediation of Polluted Soils by Absorptive Polymers, and a Comparison of Slurry and Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors for Ultimate Contaminant Degradation,"  J.Hazard. Materials  262, 31-37, 2013 [More information]. 

Dafoe, J.T., and Daugulis, A.J., "Manipulating the Composition of Absorbent Polymers Affects Product and By-product Concentration Profiles in the Biphasic Biotransformation of Indene to cis-1,2-indandiol," Biochemical Engineering Journal 77, 7-14, 2013 [More information]. 

Tomei, M.C. and Daugulis, A.J., "Feasibility of operating a solid-liquid bioreactor with used automobile tires as the sequestering phase for the biodegradation of inhibitory compounds," Journal of Environmental Management 125, 7-11, 2013 [More information]. 

Poleo, E.E and Daugulis, A.J., "Simultaneous Biodegradation of Volatile and Toxic Contaminant Mixtures by Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors,"  J.Hazard. Materials 254-255, 206-213, 2013 [More information]. 

Yun, J. Dafoe, J.T., Peterson, E.C., Xuc, L., Yao, S.J. and Daugulis, A.J., "Rapid Freezing Cryo-Polymerization and Microchannel Liquid-Flow Focusing for Cryogel Beads: Adsorbent Preparation and Characterization of Supermacroporous Bead-Packed Beds,"Journal of Chromatography A 1284, 148-154, 2013 [More information]. 

Craig, T. and Daugulis, A.J., "Polymer Characterization And Optimization Of Conditions For The Enhanced Bioproduction of benzaldehyde by Pichia pastoris in a Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor," Biotechnol. Bioeng. 110, 1098-1105, 2013 [More information]. 

Tomei, M.C. and Daugulis. A.J., "Ex-situ Bioremediation of Contaminated soils: An Overview of Conventional and Innovative Technologies," Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 43, 2107-2139, 2013 [More information]. 

Munoz, R., Daugulis, A.J., Hernandez, M. and Quijano, G., "Recent Advances in Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors for the Treatment of Volatile Organic Compounds," Biotechnology Advances 30, 1707-1720, 2012 [More information]. 

Daugulis, A.J. and Milton S.G., "Two-phase Partitioning Bioreactors: The Use of Polymers for the in situ Removal of Ethanol," Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering 7, 324-328, 2012 [More information]. 

Tomei, M.C., Annesini, M.C. and Daugulis, A.J., "2,4-Dichlorophenol Removal In A Solid-Liquid Two Phase Partitioning Bioreactor (TPPB): Kinetics Of Absorption, Desorption And Biodegradation," New Biotechnol. 30, 44-50, 2012 [More information]. 

Tomei, M.C., Annesini and Daugulis, A.J., "Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors (TPPBs) Operated with Waste Polymers. Case Study: 2,4 Dichlorophenol Biodegradation with Used Automobile Tires as the Partitioning Phase," Biotechnol. Letters 34, 2037-2042, 2012 [More information]. 

Hagesteijn, K.F.L. and Daugulis, A.J., "Passive/Aggressive Detoxification of Continuous Flow Biotreatment Systems Using Absorptive Polymers: Partitioning Bioreactors Treating Transient Phenol Loadings," Biotechnol Letters 34, 1817-1824, 2012 [More information]. 

Fam H., and Daugulis, A.J., "Substrate Mass Transport in Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors Employing Liquid and Solid Non-Aqueous Phases," Bioproc. Biosystem. Eng. 35, 1367-1374, 2012 [More information]. 

Parent, J.S., Capela, M., Dafoe, J.T. and Daugulis, A.J., "First Principles Approach to Identifying Polymers for Use in Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors," J Chem Technol Biotechnol 87, 1059-1065, 2012 [More information]. 

Hepburn, A.J. and Daugulis, A.J., , "The Use of CO2 for Reversible pH Shifting, and the Removal of Succinic Acid in a Polymer-Based Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor," J Chem Technol Biotechnol 87, 42-50, 2012 [More information]. 

Dafoe, J., and Daugulis, A.J., "Bioproduction of cis-(1S,2R)-indandiol, a Chiral Pharmaceutical Intermediate, Using a Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor (TPPB) for Enhanced Removal of Inhibitors," J. Chem Technol. Biotechnol. 86, 1379-1385, 2011 [More information]. 

Tomei, M.C., Rita, S., Angelucci, D.M., Annesini, M.C. and Daugulis, A.J., "Treatment of Substituted Phenol Mixtures in Single Phase and Two-Phase Solid-Liquid Partitioning Bioreactors,"  J.Hazard. Materials  191, 190-195, 2011 [More information]. 

Daugulis, A.J., Tomei, M.C. and Guieysse, B. , "Overcoming Substrate Inhibition During Biological Treatment of Mono-Aromatics: Recent Advances in Bioprocess Design. ," Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 90, 1589-1608, 2011 [More information]. 

Montes, M., Daugulis, A.J., Veiga, M.C. and Kennes, C., "Characterization of Absorbent Polymers for the Removal of Volatile Hydrophobic Pollutants from Air," J. Chem Technol. Biotechnol. 86, 47-53, 2011 [More information]. 

Khan, T.R. and Daugulis, A.J., "The Effects of Polymer Phase Ratio and Feeding Strategy on Solid-Liquid TPPBs for the Production of L-phenylacetylcarbinol from Benzaldehyde Using Candida utilis," Biotechnol. Letters 33, 63-70, 2011 [More information]. 

Khan, T.R. and Daugulis, A.J., "Composition Effects on Solute Partitioning in Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Bioreactors,," J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 86, 157-160, 2011 [More information]. 

Hernandez, M., Munoz, R. and Daugulis, A.J., "Biodegradation of VOC Mixtures of Different Hydrophobicities in Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors Containing Tailored Polymer Mixtures," J Chem Technol Biotechnol 86, 138-144, 2011 [More information]. 

Jain, A.N., Khan, T.R. and Daugulis, A.J., "Bioproduction of Benzaldehyde in a Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor using Pichia pastoris," Biotechnol. Letters 32, 1649-1654, 2010 [More information]. 

Yeom, S.H. and Daugulis, A.J. and Lee, S.H., "Bioremediation of Phenol-Contaminated Water and Soil Using Magnetic Polymer Beads," Process Biochem. 45, 1582-1586, 2010 [More information]. 

Yeom, S.H., Daugulis, A.J. and Nielsen, D.R., "A Strategic Approach for the Design and Operation of Two-phase Partitioning Bioscrubbers for the Treatment of Volatile Organic Compounds," Biotechnol. Progr. 26, 1777-1786, 2010 [More information]. 

Khan, T.R. and Daugulis, A.J., "Application of Solid-Liquid TPPBs to the Production of L-Phenylacetylcarbinol from Benzaldehyde Using Candida utilis," Biotechnol. Bioeng. 107, 4, 633-641, 2010 [More information]. 

Tomei., M.C., Annesini, M.C., Rita, S. and Daugulis, A.J., "Two Phase Partitioning Bioreactors Operating with Polymers Applied to the Removal of Substituted Phenols," Env. Sci. & Technol. 44, 7254-7259, 2010 [More information]. 

Hernandez, M., Quijano, G., Thalasso, F., Daugulis, A.J., Villaverde, S. and Munoz, R., "A Comparative Study of Solid and Liquid Non-Aqueous Phases for the Biodegradation of Hexane in Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors," Biotechnol. Bioeng. 106, 731-740, 2010 [More information]. 

Tomei, M.C., Annesini, M.C., Piemonte, V., Prpich, G.P. and Daugulis, A.J., "Two Phase Reactors Applied to the Removal of Substituted Phenols: Comparison Between Liquid-Liquid and Liquid-Solid Systems," Water Science and Technology 62, 776-782, 2010 [More information]. 

Isaza, P.A., Daugulis, A.J. and Kuran, K., "Mass Transport and Thermodynamic Analysis of PAHs in Partitioning Systems in the Presence and Absence of Ultrasonication," AIChE Journal 56, 10, 2717-2726, 2010 [More information]. 

Isaza, P.A. and Daugulis, A.J., "Enhanced Degradation of Phenanthrene in a Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor via Sonication," Biotechnol. Bioeng. 105, 997-1001, 2010 [More information]. 

Yeom, S.H., Daugulis, A.J. and Nielsen, D.R., "Estimating The Cellular Maintenance Coefficient and Its Use in the Design of Two-Phase Partitioning Bioscrubbers," Bioproc Biosys Eng 33, 731-739, 2010 [More information]. 

Littlejohns, J.V., McAuley, K.B. and Daugulis, A.J., "Model for a Solid-Liquid Stirred Tank Two-Phase Partitioning Bioscrubber for the Treatment of BTEX,"  J.Hazard. Materials  175, 872-882, 2010 [More information]. 

Gao, F. and Daugulis, A.J., "Polymer-Solute Interactions In Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors," J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 85, 302-306, 2010 [More information]. 

Littlejohns, J.V., McAuley, K.B. and Daugulis, A.J., "Model for a Solid-Liquid Airlift Two-Phase Partitioning Bioscrubber for the Treatment of BTEX," J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 85, 173-184, 2010 [More information].

Academician, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1992- present.

Frank Knox Award for Excellence in Teaching: Highest Award for Teaching Conferred by Students at Queen’s University, 2005.

Recipient, Professional Engineers of Ontario Medal for Research & Development, 2015.

Fellow, Canadian Academy of Engineering, 2016-present.



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