Overview
Personal Profile
Davinia Salvachúa's research focuses on developing bioprocess in bioreactors to upgrade lignin and biomass-derived sugars to chemicals, materials, and fuel precursors by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and fungi. Since 2019, Salvachúa is also the Principal Investigator of an Early Career Research project awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (Biological and Environmental Research program), which focuses on elucidating metabolic pathways in white-rot fungi, the most efficient lignin degrading organisms in nature via systems biology and enzymology approaches.
Research Interests
Lignin deconstruction, utilization, and upgrading by fungi and bacteria
Systems biology and bioinformatics for the discovery of aromatic catabolic pathways in white-rot fungi
Biochemistry of lignin- and aromatics-modifying enzymes
Metabolism of aerobic and anaerobic microbes during the conversion of lignocellulosic sugars to value-added compounds (i.e. carboxylic acids)
Bioprocess development in bioreactors at the bench scale and process scale-up to produce chemicals, fuels, and materials precursors
Professional Experience
Researcher IV, NLR (2020–present)
Researcher III, NLR (2014–2020)
Visiting Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2018)
Postdoctoral Researcher, NLR (2014)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Biological Research Center, Center for Biological Research-Spanish National Research Council (CIB-CSIC) (2013)
Ph.D. Student, CIB-CSIC (2008–2013)
Visiting Scientist, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (2011)
Visiting Scientist, Pennsylvania State University, State College (2010)
Intern, Merck Sharp & Dhome (2007–2008)
Intern, Microbiology Module, University of Alcalá de Henares (2006–2007)
Education/Academic Qualification
PhD, Microbiology (Biology), Complutense University
Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Institute of Education's Sciences, Complutense University
Bachelor, Biology, University of Alcalá
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Collaborations and Top Research Areas From the Past 5 Years
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A Distinct Subpopulation of Membrane Vesicles in Pseudomonas putida Is Enriched in Enzymes for Lignin Catabolism
Werner, A., Giannone, R., Keller, M., Plavchak, C., Carper, D., Abraham, P., Wilkes, R., Aristilde, L., Salvachua, D., Ratanathanawongs Williams, S. K., Hettich, R. & Beckham, G., 2025, In: Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 91, 10, 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
3 Scopus Citations -
Cross-Kingdom Comparative Genomics Reveal the Metabolic Potential of Fungi for Lignin Turnover in Deadwood
Kijpornyongpan, T., Kuatsjah, E., Komp, E., Evans, J., Ruiz-Duenas, F. & Salvachua, D., 2025, In: Nature Ecology and Evolution. 9, p. 1599-1613 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
6 Scopus Citations -
Integration of Metabolic and Bioprocess Engineering for the Production of B-Ketoadipic Acid from Glucose and Xylose by Pseudomonas Putida
Rubinstein, G., Mokwatlo, S., Chirban, L., Lepard, A., Ingraham, M., Ramirez, K., Choi, H., Saboe, P., Salvachua, D., Johnson, C. & Beckham, G., 2025, In: Green Chemistry. 27, 35, p. 10673-10685 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Metabolic Profiling of Two White-Rot Fungi During 4-Hydroxybenzoate Conversion Reveals Biotechnologically Relevant Biosynthetic Pathways: Article No. 224
Oliveira Monteiro, L. M., del Cerro, C., Kijpornyongpan, T., Yaguchi, A., Bennett, A., Donohoe, B., Ramirez, K., Benson, A., Mitchell, H., Purvine, S., Markillie, L. M., Burnet, M., Bloodsworth, K., Bowen, B., Harwood, T., Louie, K., Northen, T. & Salvachua, D., 2025, In: Communications Biology. 8, 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
7 Scopus Citations -
Retrobiosynthesis of Unnatural Lactams via Reprogrammed Polyketide Synthase
Lee, N., Schmidt, M., Li, C., Filbin, C., Klass, S., Yaguchi, A., Fear, A. L., Backman, T., Abel, B., Kim, Y.-M., Kim, W., Johnson, C., Chen, Y., Gin, J., Petzold, C., Baidoo, E., Gao, Y., Burnet, M., Babnigg, G. & Laible, P. & 6 others, , 2025, In: Nature Catalysis. 8, 4, p. 389-402 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
9 Scopus Citations
Activities
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Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (External organization)
Ware, L. (Member), Salvachua Rodriguez, D. (Member) & Swart, R. (Member)
0001Activity: Membership › Membership of network
Awards and Honors
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Complutense University Biological Sciences Faculty Extraordinary Ph.D. Award
Salvachua Rodriguez, D. (Recipient), 2014
Prize: Honorary award
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NREL Distinguished Member of Research Staff Recipients
Alberi, K. (Recipient), Baring-Gould, E. (Recipient), Barnes, T. (Recipient), Bernstein, A. (Recipient), Dinh, H. (Recipient), Harrison, K. (Recipient), King, P. (Recipient), Macknick, J. (Recipient), Muratori, M. (Recipient), Neale, N. (Recipient), Pesaran, A. (Recipient), Salvachua Rodriguez, D. (Recipient), Smith, K. (Recipient) & Stout, S. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Honorary award
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NREL Outstanding Mentor Award
Salvachua Rodriguez, D. (Recipient), Woods, J. (Recipient), Neale, N. (Recipient) & King, R. (Recipient), 2019
Prize: Honorary award
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NREL Outstanding Mentor Award
Salvachua Rodriguez, D. (Recipient), Woods, J. (Recipient) & Tan, J. (Recipient), 2020
Prize: Honorary award
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NREL President's Award
Bernstein, A. (Recipient), Salvachua Rodriguez, D. (Recipient), Tan, J. (Recipient), Johnson, J. (Recipient) & Brunhart-Lupo, N. (Recipient), 2018
Prize: Honorary award