Angelo Basile is a Full Professor and a leading authority in membrane science and technology. Since 2014, he has served as Full Professor in Systems, Methods and Technologies of Chemical Engineering Processes at CNR-ITM in Rende, Italy. His work covers hydrogen purification and production using membrane reactors, CO₂ capture, process intensification, and the treatment of industrial effluents with advanced membrane operations. Basile has edited many scientific books and authored numerous book chapters, bridging complex research with clear knowledge for engineers and scientists. Motivated by the role of AI/ML in accelerating membrane process design and automation, he supports integrating data-driven methods for smart plants and reaction–separation optimisation. Alfredo Cassano has worked as a Researcher at CNR-ITM in Italy since 2000. Trained in Biology, he specializes in membrane science and technology, including conventional membrane processes, membrane contactors, and integrated membrane operations used for wastewater treatment and agro-food applications. He has led or directed research through numerous national MIUR-funded projects, as well as European Union international projects and industry collaborations. Cassano contributes to the scientific community through editorial-board roles and has co-authored several books, numerous journal articles, and chapters, alongside conference and invited work, and two national patents. His interests include recovering bioactive compounds from by-products, membrane distillation, osmotic distillation, and wastewater remediation, motivated by bridging membrane technology with practical AI/ML and real-time monitoring to advance circular economy resource recovery. Prof. Mohammad Reza Rahimpour is a professor in Chemical Engineering at Shiraz University, Iran. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Shiraz University joint with University of Sydney, Australia 1988. He started his independent career as Assistant Professor in September 1998 at Shiraz University. Prof. M.R. Rahimpour, was a Research Associate at University of California, Davis from 2012 till 2017. During his stay in University of California, he developed different reaction networks and catalytic processes such as thermal and plasma reactors for upgrading of lignin bio-oil to biofuel with collaboration of UCDAVIS. He has been a Chair of Department of Chemical Engineering at Shiraz University from 2005 till 2009 and from 2015 till 2020. Prof. M.R. Rahimpour leads a research group in fuel processing technology focused on the catalytic conversion of fossil fuels such as natural gas, and renewable fuels such as bio-oils derived from lignin to valuable energy sources. He provides young distinguished scholars with perfect educational opportunities in both experimental methods and theoretical tools in developing countries to investigate in-depth research in the various field of chemical engineering including carbon capture, chemical looping, membrane separation, storage and utilization technologies, novel technologies for natural gas conversion and improving the energy efficiency in the production and use of natural gas industries.Soheila Zandi Lak is a research associate at Shiraz University. She obtained her Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Islamic Azad University of Shiraz. Her scientific activities revolve around the modelling and optimization of chemical reactors, with a particular focus on biofuel processing and the development of clean and renewable energies. In the field of wastewater treatment processes, she has conducted experimental efforts, especially in the synthesis of zinc oxide hollow sphere photocatalysts for removing heavy metals from contaminated aqueous environments. Recently, she has written several book chapters for renowned publishers such as Elsevier and CRC Press.
