Hector De la Hoz Siegler, University of Calgary

Research

Biomass Bioprocess modelling Bioreaction Engineering Circular economy Green processes Microalgae Oleochemicals Value added chemicals

Latest papers

Unveiling the factors shaping variability in biomass productivity: Meta-analysis of outdoor pilot-scale microalgal cultures.
Bioresource technology · 2025 · senior author
Toward sustainable phycocyanin production using halo-alkaliphilic cyanobacteria: from direct air capture of carbon dioxide to biorefinery.
Frontiers in microbiology · 2025
Beyond Needles: Immunomodulatory Hydrogel-Guided Vaccine Delivery Systems.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024 · senior author

All 13 publications

Latest funding

Environmentally Sustainable Extraction of Critical Minerals from Alberta's Resources
NSERC · 2023 · Co-investigator
$207,000
Integrated Microalgal Platform for Upcycling Biomass Wastes
NSERC · 2022 · Principal investigator
$84,000
A Semi-pilot scale Adsorption Setup for Solid Sorbents Evaluation in Gas Separation Applications
NSERC · 2022 · Co-investigator
$144,647

All 9 grants and awards

13 publications.

01

Unveiling the factors shaping variability in biomass productivity: Meta-analysis of outdoor pilot-scale microalgal cultures.

Yousuf A, Unc A, Bergerson J, De la Hoz Siegler H

Bioresource technology2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132566 PMID: 40268093

02

Toward sustainable phycocyanin production using halo-alkaliphilic cyanobacteria: from direct air capture of carbon dioxide to biorefinery.

Yi L, Solanki R, Moll M, Vadlamani A, De la Hoz Siegler H, Strous M

Frontiers in microbiology2025

DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1618123 PMID: 40771690

03

Beyond Needles: Immunomodulatory Hydrogel-Guided Vaccine Delivery Systems.

Rana MM, Demirkaya C, De la Hoz Siegler H

Gels (Basel, Switzerland)2024Senior author

DOI: 10.3390/gels11010007 PMID: 39851978

04

Ecology and biogeochemistry of the microbial underworld in two sister soda lakes.

Paquette AJ, Bhatnagar S, Vadlamani A, Gillis T, Khot V, Novotnik B, De la Hoz Siegler H, Strous M, Rattray JE

Environmental microbiome2024

DOI: 10.1186/s40793-024-00632-y PMID: 39609930

05

Evolution of Hybrid Hydrogels: Next-Generation Biomaterials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering.

Rana MM, De la Hoz Siegler H

Gels (Basel, Switzerland)2024Senior author

DOI: 10.3390/gels10040216 PMID: 38667635

06

Reconstructing curcumin biosynthesis in yeast reveals the implication of caffeoyl-shikimate esterase in phenylpropanoid metabolic flux.

Utomo JC, Barrell HB, Kumar R, Smith J, Brant MS, De la Hoz Siegler H, Ro DK

Metabolic engineering2024

DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2024.02.011 PMID: 38387678

07

Coordinated proteome change precedes cell lysis and death in a mat-forming cyanobacterium.

Zorz J, Paquette AJ, Gillis T, Kouris A, Khot V, Demirkaya C, De La Hoz Siegler H, Strous M, Vadlamani A

The ISME journal2023

DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01545-3 PMID: 37914776

08

Autofermentation of alkaline cyanobacterial biomass to enable biorefinery approach.

Demirkaya C, Vadlamani A, Tervahauta T, Strous M, De la Hoz Siegler H

Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts2023Senior author

DOI: 10.1186/s13068-023-02311-5 PMID: 37029442

09

Nutrient management and medium reuse for cultivation of a cyanobacterial consortium at high pH and alkalinity.

Paquette AJ, Vadlamani A, Demirkaya C, Strous M, De la Hoz Siegler H

Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology2022Senior author

DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.942771 PMID: 36032714

10

Tuning the Properties of PNIPAm-Based Hydrogel Scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

Rana MM, De la Hoz Siegler H

Polymers2021Senior author

DOI: 10.3390/polym13183154 PMID: 34578055

Environmentally Sustainable Extraction of Critical Minerals from Alberta's Resources

Co-investigatorNSERC2023Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Ponnurangam, Sathish P

Keywords: bioleaching; critical metals; (electro)-sorption; Lithium brines; microwave roasting; mineral separation; REEs; secondary resources; vanadium; waste sludge

$207,000

Integrated Microalgal Platform for Upcycling Biomass Wastes

Principal investigatorNSERC2022Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: De la Hoz Siegler, Hector

Keywords: green processes; value added chemicals; circular economy; biomass; waste upcycling; bioprocess modelling; bioreaction engineering; microalgae; oleochemicals

$84,000

A Semi-pilot scale Adsorption Setup for Solid Sorbents Evaluation in Gas Separation Applications

Co-investigatorNSERC2022Research Tools and Instruments

Principal investigators: Mahinpey, Nader

$144,647

Sustainable, Secure and Competitive Energy through Scaling-Up Advanced Biofuel Generation

Principal investigatorSSHRC2022New Frontiers in Research Fund - Global Platforms

Principal investigators: De la Hoz Siegler, Hector

Keywords: Microalgae; Carbon Capture; Reaction Engineering; Catalysis; Sustainable Biofuels; Process Engineering; Green Chemistry; Process Design and Simulation

$245,000

Upgrade to a Thermogravimetric Analyzer with a Mass Spectrometer for a Comprehensive Research & Development Program in GHG Reduction Technologies

Co-investigatorNSERC2021Research Tools and Instruments

Principal investigators: Mahinpey, Nader

$129,138

Selective Adsorption Analyzer

Co-investigatorNSERC2020Research Tools and Instruments

Principal investigators: Shimizu, George

$149,955

Flow Reactor System for a Comprehensive Research & Development Program in GHG Reduction Technologies

Co-investigatorNSERC2019Research Tools and Instruments

Principal investigators: Mahinpey, Nader

$125,556

Dynamic regulation of cellular phenotype for bioprocess optimization

Principal investigatorNSERC2014Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: De la Hoz Siegler, Hector

$161,000

Optimal production of high value products using microalgae - building a relationship with Alga-Labs

Principal investigatorNSERC2014Interaction Grants Program

Principal investigators: DelaHozSiegler, Hector

$2,300

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Medicine

Co-authors at University of Calgary, colored by department. Thicker lines mean more shared papers; select anyone to open their profile and their own map.

Joule Bergerson

Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

2 shared papers, latest 2025

John Conly

Medicine

1 shared papers, latest 2019

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their NSERC grant from 2022

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Biomass Dear Professor De la Hoz Siegler, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Unveiling the factors shaping variability in biomass productivity: Meta-analysis of outdoor pilot-scale microalgal cultures." (2025), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your NSERC-funded project "Integrated Microalgal Platform for Upcycling Biomass Wastes" (2022), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]