2nd Symposium on Green Chemistry
and Sustainability
Education, Innovation and Biomimicry for a Sustainable Future
We are pleased to invite you to participate in the 2nd Symposium on Green Chemistry and Sustainability, held as part of the Second Green Chemistry Week. This symposium has been established as a key forum for the exchange of ideas and progress in the field of green chemistry, bringing together researchers, academics, and students from diverse backgrounds.
Conceived as a hub to promote sustainable approaches in science and technology, the event aims to create a multidisciplinary space to discuss challenges and opportunities in education, innovation, and biomimicry, fostering collaboration toward building a sustainable future.
Participants are also invited to submit posters on research, innovation, or developments, which will compete for awards and provide an opportunity to share their work with the community.
Dates
Workshops — November 3 & 4
Symposium — November 5 & 6
Register now
Available until October 25th - 10:00hrs
Location
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Campus San Joaquín
Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Macul
International Speakers
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Dr. John Warner
Co-Founder of green chemistry, globally recognized for sustainable innovation
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Dr. Amy Cannon
First PhD in green chemistry, leader in education and practice of sustainability
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Dr. Cíntia Milagre
Educational specialist in organic and green chemistry, focused on sustainable methods
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Dr. Humberto Milagre
Specialist in catalysis and organic synthesis for greener processes
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Dr. Giovanna Danies
Biologist and Phytopathologist, focused on bio design and sustainability
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Dr. David Laviska
Educator promoting sustainability in chemistry teaching and practice
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Dr. Justyna Plotka-Wasylka
Expert in green analytical chemistry and eco-efficient methods
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Dr. Catalina Bustillo Restrepo
Director of Biomimicry Caribe and founding partner of sharing Nature´s Genius
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Dr. Lars Ratjen
Researcher advancing sustainable chemistry and catalytic processes
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Dr. Paloma González-Rojas
CEO of Hera Materials, MIT afiliate researcher and sustainable biotechnology entrepeneur
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Dr. Christoph Held
Expert in thermodynamics processes for sustainable chemical systems
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Mg. Carlos Dulanto
Director of Origgen Biomimicry Perú and CEO of Gen Quijote, expert in nature-inspired innovation
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Dr. Youssef Habibi
Specialist in biomaterials and nanocellulose for renewable applications
Workshops & Round Table
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Workshop 1: Beyond Yield: Counting what Really Counts
03.11 12:30-14:00
Victor Pillon Auditory
Cintia and Humberto Milagre
Traditional measures of success in chemistry, such as yield and purity, often overlook critical aspects of sustainability and real-world impact. This workshop, Beyond Yield: Counting What Really Counts, invites participants to explore how Green Chemistry metrics can reshape the way we evaluate chemical processes and educational practices. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, we will examine tools that capture efficiency, safety, environmental footprint, and social relevance—moving beyond numbers that only tell part of the story. Participants will engage with case studies and collaborative exercises designed to highlight practical strategies for integrating sustainability metrics into teaching, research, and outreach. By expanding what we measure, we can also expand what we value—fostering a culture of chemistry that is innovative, responsible, and aligned with a sustainable future.
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Workshop 2: Ideas in Motion: Transforming Challenges into Innovation
03.11 14:30-17:00
Victor Pillon Auditory
John Warner, Kamal Dua, Natalia Jiménez, Brian Oliver and Javier Cerda
This workshop seeks to promote interdisciplinary dialogue among chemistry, biology, medicine, and engineering, bringing together national and international researchers to address scientific challenges from an integrated perspective. With experts in biomedicine, green chemistry, engineering, and sustainability, the program will explore how basic research translates into innovation, technology transfer, and solutions with social and industrial impact.
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Workshop 3: Disruptive Innovation with Green Chemistry
04.11 11:30-12:50
Victor Pillon Auditory
Lars Ratjen
The 12 principles of Green Chemistry are a powerful toolbox to approach almost any problem the chemical enterprise faces today. A quick introduction by the moderators will showcase how green chemistry can enable disruptive innovation for real world problem solving. In this dynamic workshop the audience will be divided into teams, and in a rapid brain-storming session ideas to a specific and defined problem will be developed. At the end of the workshop, each team will have 3 minutes to pitch their solution to the audience. A panel of 3 judges will decide which team developed the most attractive, realistic, and viable solution.
The problem will be a surprise, the judges will be a surprise, the teams will be a surprise, but all will be united through Green Chemistry!
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Workshop 4: TBD
04.11 13:30-14:50
Victor Pillon Auditory
Amy Cannon and John Warner
TBD
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Workshop 5: TBD
04.11 15:00-16:20
Victor Pillon Auditory
David Laviska
TBD
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Workshop 6: Biomimicry in Business: Taller de Innovación
04.11 14:30-15:40
Faculty of Economics and Administration
Carlos Dulanto
This workshop seeks to awaken the creative spirit of the participants through Biomimicry.
They are taught Route Number 1 with the “BEE” method and two business creativity techniques for problem-solving.
A challenge will be developed.
It is a highly practical workshop that combines AI, Biomimicry, Business Creativity, and Sustainability.
It is a space to make the familiar strange.
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Workshop 7: Biomímesis: Co-creando con la Naturaleza
04.11 16:10-17:20
Faculty of Economics and Administration
Catalina Bustillo Restrepo
La biomímesis abre la puerta a nuevas formas de resolver problemas al aprender directamente de la naturaleza. En este taller, los estudiantes trabajarán en equipos multidisciplinarios para enfrentar un reto, aplicando principios y estrategias inspirados en la vida.
La actividad está pensada para que quienes ya conocen la biomímesis profundicen en su aplicación práctica, mientras que quienes se acercan por primera vez descubran su potencial como fuente de innovación. A través de dinámicas guiadas, los participantes ejercitarán la colaboración, el pensamiento sistémico y la creatividad, generando propuestas que conecten desafíos actuales con soluciones inspiradas en la naturaleza.
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Merck Round Table - Sustainability: From Education to Industrial Application
05.11 12:00-15:00
Victor Pillon Auditory
John Warner, Kamal Dua, Humberto Milagre, Sergio Barrientos and Pharma Specialist from Merck. Moderator: Carla Decandio.
The workshop aims to promote the practical application of green chemistry and sustainability by exploring innovative solutions that connect education with industry. It focuses on advancing sustainable practices across sectors through shared knowledge and collaboration.
Featuring experts from academia and industry, discussing practical sustainable solutions ranging from green chemistry to industrial practices.
Pictures from the first Symposium on Green Chemistry and Sustainability
