Dr. Miguel Ángel Mueses is a Senior Researcher (Investigador Senior - IS) recognized by the Colombian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MinCiencias). A native of Colombia, Dr. Mueses has built an accomplished career in Chemical Engineering, with an emphasis on photocatalysis, reactor modeling, and advanced oxidation processes for environmental applications.
He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad del Valle (2008–2013), where his doctoral thesis, "Modelo de Rendimiento Cuántico para Sistemas Simples y Mezclas Multicomponentes Aplicado en Escalamiento y Simulación de Reactores Fotocatalíticos Heterogéneos", was awarded Laureate distinction in 2012 and later recognized as the Best Doctoral Thesis in Chemical Engineering (CPIQ, 2020). Prior to this, he completed a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering (2006–2008) and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (1999–2005) at the same institution. His academic foundations also include a Diploma in Higher Education Teaching from the Universidad de Cartagena (2011).
Currently, Dr. Mueses serves as a full-time faculty member at the Universidad de Cartagena, where he is actively engaged in teaching, research, and academic leadership. He has designed and instructed numerous graduate and doctoral courses, including Matemáticas Avanzadas, Fenómenos de Transporte, Tratamiento de Aguas por Tecnologías Avanzadas de Oxidación, and Materiales Compuestos, among others. His dedication to academic excellence is reflected in his contribution to curriculum development and mentoring of doctoral candidates in engineering and environmental science.
Dr. Mueses has conducted significant research on solar photocatalysis and environmental remediation, focusing on the modeling, scaling, and simulation of photocatalytic reactors. His collaborative projects with institutions such as Loughborough University (UK) have contributed to advancements in the mathematical modeling and optimization of heterogeneous photocatalytic systems applied in wastewater treatment. His projects include Modelado, Evaluación Experimental, Escalamiento y Simulación de Procesos de Fotocatálisis Solar a Escala Piloto and Degradación de Contaminantes Emergentes Asistida con Radiación Solar y Fotocatálisis a Base de Bi₂O₃ y TiO₂ Dopados.
Beyond his research and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Mueses is deeply involved in the scientific community. He serves as a member of the Editorial Board of the Chemical Engineering Journal Advances (Elsevier) and as an Assistant Editor for the Revista Ingeniería y Competitividad of Universidad del Valle. He is also a former member of the American Chemical Society and a member of the Colombian Society of Catalysis.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Mueses has been the recipient of multiple honors, including the Medalla de Honor - Ciudadano Ilustre del Sur (2017) and the Trayectoria Investigativa Award (2015) from Universidad del Valle’s GAOX Research Group. His academic excellence was evident from early on, as he was recognized with the Andrés Bello National Award and Best Academic Baccalaureate distinction.
His primary research lines include Heterogeneous and Environmental Catalysis, Photocatalysis and Photoreactor Engineering, Theoretical Photocatalysis, and Advanced Oxidation Processes. Through his work, Dr. Mueses has significantly contributed to the understanding and development of sustainable environmental technologies based on solar energy and catalytic materials.