METALLICO Young Researchers: Mahsa Pourmohammad Golloujeh

Recovering valuable raw materials, demonstrating sustainable production or developing innovative technologies: Many young researchers are doing their part to achieve the goals of the METALLICO project. They are highly motivated and passionate about their work. One of our "METALLICO Young Researchers" is Mahsa Pourmohammad Golloujeh. She works as a Civil and Environmental Engineer for the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). Currently, she is researching the physical benefication of critical raw materials. Read more about Mahsa and her motivation to research in METALLICO in this interview. 

What is your motivation and what excites you the most about your work?

My motivation comes from a profound awareness of how dependent our society is on critical raw materials (CRMs) such as cobalt, lithium, rare earth elements, and nickel. These materials are essential for clean technologies, especially in batteries, wind turbines, and electronic devices. Yet their extraction often causes severe environmental degradation, social conflict, and geopolitical vulnerability. As an environmental engineer, I see recycling as a powerful alternative that can reduce both environmental footprints and dependence on imports.

What excites me most is the challenge of innovation. Every day in the lab I encounter problems that have not yet been solved—how to separate metals more efficiently, how to minimize waste streams, or how to design recycling processes that are scalable and sustainable. The idea that a method I help develop could one day be implemented in real industrial processes, closing material loops and making Europe more resource-secure, is incredibly motivating. It makes me feel that my work has purpose well beyond academic curiosity; it contributes directly to the transition toward a greener economy.

Which impact do you think your research will have on the future?

I believe my research will play a role in building a more circular economy. Currently, CRMs are not effectively recycled worldwide, and much of what could be reused still ends up in landfills. My work focuses on developing more efficient physical beneficiation processes to recover these metals from end-of-life products. If successful, these techniques can help reduce the need for virgin mining, cut carbon emissions, and conserve ecosystems.

Beyond the environmental impact, I also hope to strengthen economic resilience. By improving CRM recovery in Europe, we reduce dependency on imports from politically unstable regions. This means greater stability for industries producing batteries, renewable energy systems, and high-tech equipment. On a personal level, I hope that my research contributes to bridging the gap between laboratory-scale innovation and industrial-scale application. My ultimate goal is to see recycling not as an afterthought but as an integrated and profitable part of the resource supply chain.

What opportunities does the research project METALLICO offer you as a young researcher in your early career?

The METALLICO project offers me invaluable opportunities at both the technical and professional levels. First, it provides me with access to a network of leading universities, research institutes, and industrial partners across Europe. This allows me to collaborate beyond the boundaries of my home institution, exchange ideas, and gain insights into the real-world challenges faced by recycling companies.

Second, it exposes me to interdisciplinary research. Environmental engineering on its own cannot solve the problem of CRMs; it requires input from chemists, materials scientists, economists, and policy experts. Within METALLICO, I am able to learn from all these perspectives and strengthen my own skillset.

Finally, METALLICO gives me a platform to grow as a young researcher. Through workshops, conferences, and project meetings, I gain visibility in the scientific community, build my professional network, and practice communicating my work to both academic and non-academic audiences. This experience is shaping me not only as a scientist but also as a future leader in sustainable resource management.

What is the best thing about your job as a scientist in the METALLICO project?

The best thing about my job is the combination of creativity and problem-solving. Every day is different: some days I am in the lab testing separation processes, and other days I am analysing data, writing reports, or discussing with colleagues from across Europe. This variety keeps me engaged and reminds me that science is not just about repeating protocols—it is about constantly questioning, improving, and innovating.

Find Mahsa on LinkedIn!