The Pure Algae team
Pure Algae consists of a strong team of talent.
The Team
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Esben Rimi Christiansen
Since the age of 9 Esben has been looking for ways in which he can help protect and restore our nature. Growing up in a small idyllic town called Nødebo, he learned that pollution from a former waterproofing company threatened his childhood lake, Esrum Sø.
Through his bachelor project, he started to the study the extent of this pollution, and he reached significant results both regarding the environmental condition of the lake and the pollution site as well as the potential of various treatment methods.
The purification methods that Esben immersed himself in are called bioremediation – a biological purification. Algae, such as seaweeds, are extremely suitable for purifying water contaminated with nutrients. High nutrient content in gardens and lakes leads to wild algae growth, which can result in oxygen depletion, which ultimately has fatal consequences for the life of the current ecosystems.
By growing seaweed in a controlled environment, we can reduce the high nutrient content locally, and this is ultimately Esben’s ultimate goal – to use surplus nutrients to provide a healthy and sustainable food source.
Advisory Board
Erik Aagaard
Erik Aagaard has had a long career as product and business developer.
As of today he is retired and adds value to our board with his vast experience and passion for development.
Erik has formerly played out the role as Head of R&D, Head of Project Department, Head of Supply Chain, Engineering Director as well as VP Engineering combined with an MBA within Technology and Organization.
Martin Breum Sønder
Associate Partner / Lawyer at INNOVA law practice
Martin contributes with great commercial insight. Through his work as lawyer, he also has many years of experience in drafting and interpreting commercial contracts. As a trustred advisor and sparring partner, Martin has developed a great knowledge on business development, strategies, and trade relations.
Marianne Thomsen
Professor at Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University
Marianne has high expertise and experience within the field of cultivation of marine macroalgae, science-industrial cooperation, optimization of seaweed biomass and quality through manipulation of growth conditions, bioremediation, overall circular nutrient management systems, and system level integrated sustainability assessment using tools such as LCA and techno-economic assessment of multi-actor circular bioeconomy models (industrial symbiosis).
Annette Bruhn
Senior Researcher & Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Aarhus University
Annette Bruhn is Senior Researcher at Aarhus University with a focus on the cultivation of seaweed and effects on the marine environment. With 10+ years of experience within the cultivation of seaweed, and as lead on a number of commercial seaweed projects, Annette positions herself as one of Denmarks leading algae scientists. She has stepped into the role as advisor in Pure Algae in order to get the research in play.
Lone Thybo Mouritsen
Head of Research at Kattegatcentret & Cand.scient in Marine Biology, Aarhus University
Lone has 10+ years of experience with cultivation methods and the use of seaweed. Together with Annette Bruhn she established AlgeCenter Danmark in 2010, with the aim of creating momentum in the production and use of macroalgae in Denmark. AlgeCenter Danmark also functions as a hub for research on algae production and bioremediation.
