Jessica Adams
Aberystwyth University
Welsh Crucible 2018
Jessica is a Senior Research Scientist at Aberystwyth University working within the Bioconversion and Biorefining group on macroalgae (seaweeds) and other feedstocks including oats. Her interests lie in the conversion of different macroalgae to chemicals and energy, particularly high value chemicals with additional products generated from residues of the initial process, thus minimising waste.
In the future she would like to progress this work to include nutraceutical ingredients and is interested in the health-benefits of macroalgae within human and animal diets. Her work on oats focuses on variation and stability of the β-glucan component, already known for health benefits including lowering cholesterol.
Much of her work is at the ‘applied’ end of academia, both through BEACON, a European-funded project which involves supporting companies within Welsh regions through collaborative work; and through supervising PhD students part-funded by companies. She is currently leading funding applications from national and international sources.