Dr. Lukas Fliri has earned first place in the 2025 PhD Award presented by the International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS), highlighting the impact of his doctoral research in cellulose chemistry and fiber engineering. He is now a postdoctoral researcher within the cluster of excellence Circular Bioengineering.
The IAWS PhD Award recognizes exceptional doctoral-level research related to wood science, wood technologies, and bio-based materials derived from wood. It specifically encourages international academic exchange, as it is open to researchers who complete their PhDs outside their home country. The award aims to promote global collaboration and excellence in the field.
Dr. Fliri completed his studies at Aalto University, where he defended his dissertation in February 2025. His research, titled “Carbonyls in Cellulose: An Investigation into Formation Mechanisms, Analytical Methods, and their Consequential Properties for Fiber Engineering Applications,” examined how oxidative processes in cellulose can be understood and controlled to support advanced fiber development and new pathways toward bio-based carbon fibers. The work was supervised by Professor Michael Hummel.
During his PhD journey, Dr. Fliri also conducted research at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna (BOKU) through the FinnCERES GoGlobal mobility program. This international research experience contributed to the depth and applicability of his findings and aligns closely with the IAWS mission of fostering cross-border scientific cooperation.
Dr. Fliri’s dissertation is publicly accessible through Aalto University’s publication repository.
This achievement reflects the growing importance of cellulose research and innovative fiber engineering in advancing sustainable and bio-based material solutions. The Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering celebrates this recognition and the broader progress it represents for the field.