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Suyash Gupta’s journey from a young girl captivated by science programs on the radio to a microbiologist unraveling the mysteries of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria is a testament to curiosity and perseverance. Her parents, recognizing her passion early on, affectionately dubbed her “Madam Curie”. Though she is not quite the dual Nobel prize winner yet, Suyash has earned her well-deserved doctor’s title now.
The people behind the science, and the science behind the people.
“I was always interested in how living things work,” Suyash recalls. “As a child, I quickly read through all the books in the local children’s library, but I was hungry for more knowledge.” This insatiable appetite for understanding led her to pursue studies in molecular biology and genetics, eventually specializing in microbiology.
Suyash’s path led her to Wetsus, where she found the perfect blend of fundamental research and practical application. Her focus: the complex microbial ecosystems within Paqell’s sulfur bioreactors. These tiny biological factory components are used in various industries to “Little was known about the bacterial interactions and contents of these reactors,” she explains. Understanding this is crucial for seeding new reactors and identifying which bacteria play active roles.
Describing her research, Suyash paints a vivid picture. The reactor is like a complex city, but one cannot go door to door to do a population survey. Instead, we scanned the genetic material – the bacterial ID cards. This innovative approach allowed her team to not only discover which bacteria were present but also identify the active ones. “The more identifying and active genetic material you can find, the more you know they are present,” she adds.
One of the most exciting outcomes of her research was the discovery of an unusual bacterium. “It might not be a completely new species, but it’s a specialist strain that thrives in these unique conditions,” Suyash says with enthusiasm.
A second puzzle Suyash tackled was determining which bacteria were actively contributing to the sulfur transformation process. Her published papers detail this complex investigation, revealing an intricate map of bacterial interactions that could potentially improve reactor designs.
“My ultimate goal is to make something beautiful,” Suyash says. “What is beautiful lasts forever.” This philosophy has driven her throughout her PhD journey, pushing her to contribute new knowledge that might help the world.
Her research has practical implications for the biodesulfurization industry. “Now that we understand these bacteria better, we can treat them more effectively,” Suyash explains. “If they feel better, they can do a better job.” And ultimately, she dreams of a touching aspiration too: “I would be honored to see people work on the bacterial strain we discovered.”
Abstract
The realisation of a circular economy has thus far unfolded under the assumption that it would fit within existing economic arrangements. In practice, we witness many circular initiatives struggling to give shape to their ambitions, let alone develop to maturity. These past months, various material recycling organisations terminated their activities, seeing virgin alternatives from other parts of the world flooding the market at prices against they cannot compete. If the transition towards a circular economy (i.e. an economy of value preservation) is to be taken seriously, a new perspective on value in our economic system seems unavoidable, as the rewriting of the rules of the economic game. At this moment, current perceptions of value stand in the way of this transition both at micro as well as macro levels. Several contours for a collective exploration of new directions of value and economic configuration that foster circular transition will be addressed.
Abstract
In his key note he will conclude after a life of innovations that it is impossible that humanity will stay within the save planetary boundaries with innovation only. We should be more critical about the behaviour of the rich population in the world and more critical about new innovations that prove to be dangerous, like the PFAS crisis shows at this moment. In his keynote he will investigate how to look at the world that can stay within the save planetary boundaries, how should we change ourselves? It is clear if we only talk about the words of science and systems we miss the essential words of how we should cooperate and change ourselves. And his search for coherent save innovations. Which innovations will be save and will lead to a fair and sustainable world? And will lead to a world we want to live in.
Abstract
There is a growing number of new sustainable, inclusive, cohesive, participatory, just and humane economic models. A possible next step in the discourse about them is the comparative analysis in order to find out key commonalities, potential synergies, and “requirements” for a future-fit economic model. The author and initiator of the Economy for the Common Good provides an overview of these „new sustainable economic models“ and compares them according to underlying values, principles, and practical ways of implementation. The keynote addresses the cooperative spirit of the conference and prepares the ground for its public highlight on the eve of June 3rd, the round table with representatives of diverse future-fit economic models.
Abstract
The scientific debate on whether economies should always continue to grow increasingly becomes a political and societal debate. On the one hand further growth for the most affluent countries seems neither possible nor valuable, but on the other hand there is still lack of understanding and knowledge what a non-growing economy should look like and could best be governed. In this lecture we discuss various policy measures that can be realistically implemented, take into account government finances and aim at a higher quality of life despite a non-growing economy.
Abstract
Democracy is under pressure, and less and less able to stir the economy into a sustainable direction. Therefore, to stabilize democracy and to make possible the socio-ecological transformation of the economy, democratic principles need to be implemented directly in the economy. This is not only a matter of morality, but also has practical advantages. Democratizing the economy can increase legitimacy and take advantage of the “knowledge of the many” to accelerate the transformation. Democratic practices, especially deliberation, allow bringing together different forms of knowledge, which is crucial for the local implementation of principles of social and ecological sustainability. This talk explores what this idea means in more concrete terms, from democratic participation in the workplace to the democratization of time.
Abstract
Over the past decades, markets have conventionally been seen as the best instrument to stimulate economic growth and enhance prosperity and well-being. The automatic link between markets and economic growth is increasingly questioned, however, as well as the automatic link between economic growth and enhancement of well-being. This has led to attempts to capture well-being development more directly than through GDP per capita figures and has produced a more variegated picture of well-being growth. Also, this has led to a shift of focus to other coordination systems than the market, as primarily the state but increasingly also the association. Analyses of the historical record suggest that especially the latter could be a vital component in future well-being.
