Andreas Christofi

R&D Process Development Engineer @ ChainCraft | MSc TU Delft, MEng NTUA

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

About

I'm a Process Development Engineer with a strong interest in bioprocess engineering and environmental biotechnology. I’m especially passionate about using science to support more sustainable, circular solutions in the biotech space. My experience includes process modeling and hands-on work with lab and pilot-scale experiments. Along the way, I’ve developed solid skills in communication, time management, and collaboration—qualities that help me contribute meaningfully to the teams I work with. I'm always eager to keep learning and to apply what I know toward creating a more sustainable future.

Experience

  • ChainCraft (Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands · On-site)
    • Process Development Engineer
      Nov 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 8 mos

      • Leading design and optimisation of novel downstream processing (DSP) units for a new flagship production facility • Supervising junior engineers and interns in lab- and pilot-scale testing to validate processes and support scale-up (TRL 1–6) • Principal inventor of patented DSP solutions, strengthening the company’s IP portfolio • Project Lead for the development of a custom MATLAB simulation tool generating mass and heat balances used to build the business case and serve as a core input for conceptual, basic, and detailed engineering of the company’s new full-scale plant • Developed front-end tools for visualizing and organizing low- and high-frequency fermentation data

    • R&D Intern
      Aug 2023 - Nov 2023 · 4 mos

      • Operate open-culture chain elongation bioreactors to produce medium-chain fatty acids from waste streams, achieving an all-time record reactor productivity • Optimization of an upstream process through combined experimental and computational methodologies.

  • Delft University of Technology (On-site)
    • Master Thesis
      Sep 2022 - Jun 2023 · 10 mos

      • Master's Thesis at the Environmental Biotechnology Department. • Title: "Anaerobic Acidogenic Mixed-Culture Fermentation of Cabbage: Decoding Community Selection." • Supervisor: Robbert Kleerebezem. • Objective: Explored the underlying factors contributing to the robust fermentation performance of cabbage, emphasizing product yield, spectrum and microbial community dynamics.

    • Teaching Assistant - Transport & Separation
      Feb 2023 - Apr 2023 · 3 mos

      Guided students on modeling and simulation of transport phenomena encountered in upstream and downstream processes using Python. (Master's course)

    • Teaching Assistant - Bioprocess Integration
      Sep 2022 - Dec 2022 · 4 mos

      Oversaw and instructed students on the utilization of simulation software, SuperPro Designer, for conducting process simulations. (Master's course)

  • National Technical University of Athens (Athens, Attiki, Greece)
    • Research Assistant at Unit of Environmental Science and Technology
      Sep 2020 - Aug 2021 · 1 yr

      • Led pilot-scale hydrolysis and fermentation of complex substrates. • Characterized industrial and municipal organic waste. • Developed strategies to inhibit unwanted bioprocesses in olive mill waste storage. • Performed analyses using HPLC and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. • Optimized waste-to-biofuel scenarios with GAMS software. • Created 3D project visualizations using SketchUp and V-Ray.

    • Master Thesis
      Sep 2019 - Aug 2020 · 1 yr

      Researched the valorization of brewers' spent grains and potato peel waste for biofuel production. (anaerobic digestion and alcoholic fermentation)

  • Intern at Wastewater Treatment Plant at Larnaca Sewerage and Drainage Board
    Jul 2019 - Aug 2019 · 2 mos

    • Analyzed wastewater and sludge samples at various process stages. • Conducted polymer testing to optimize sludge thickening. • Assessed the cost-effectiveness of polymer purchasing.

  • Intern at Chemical Laboratory Department of Vasilikos Power Station & Desalination Plant at Electricity Authority of Cyprus
    Jul 2018 - Jul 2018 · 1 mo

    • Performed chemical analyses of water, heavy fuel, and gas oil. • Enhanced the station’s fuel purchasing efficiency by upgrading an existing Excel-based model.