Global Partnerships

UQ-Latin American Colloquium

10am - 2:30pm, Thursday 6 November 2025

Prentice Building, UQ St Lucia campus

Register to attend

The 18th Annual Latin American Colloquium will address the theme 'Biofuels: Driving Innovation, Powering the Future in Latin America and Australia'.

The in-person Colloquium will explore the latest advancements in biofuel technology, policy frameworks, and market opportunities. Featuring engaging speakers from both regions, it will offer diverse perspectives on the current and emerging capabilities of biofuel technologies, and how collaboration between Australia and Latin America is supporting the global transition to a sustainable energy future.

Keynote speaker

 

Professor Esteban Marcellin

Professor Glenn King

Professor Esteban Marcellin is a globally recognised expert in biomanufacturing, systems biology, and synthetic biology. He serves as Director of the UQ Biosustainability Hub at the  Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), a collaborative initiative between research and industry dedicated to scaling biotechnology solutions to achieve net-zero emissions. Under his leadership, the Hub recently won the 2025 AFR Higher Education Award for Industry Engagement. 

As Leader of the Marcellin Group, also based at AIBN, his pioneering research focuses on systems and synthetic biology – powerful tools to guide the improvement of biological systems for producing fuels, chemicals, foods and biopharmaceuticals. 

Professor Marcellin holds a PhD in Bioengineering and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from The University of Queensland (UQ). He collaborates with several national research infrastructure initiatives, including Q-MAP and IDEA Bio, and engages with major industry partners such as Lanzatech, Amyris, Zoetis, Dow, CSL, and Thermo Fisher.  

Panel speakers

Her Excellency Mrs Dianela Pi
Her Excellency Mrs Dianela Pi is a career diplomat with extensive experience in regional trade, and human rights, and has served as Uruguay’s Ambassador to Australia since 2020. She formerly served as the Deputy Sub-General Director for Political Affairs and Director for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, having previously been Deputy Permanent Representative of the Uruguayan Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. Earlier roles were with the Uruguayan Mission to the UN in New York, where she was Facilitator and Coordinator of the Un Resolution of the Rights of the Child on behalf of GRULAC and the EU, and as Second Secretary, General Direction for Integration and MERCOSUR Affairs.
Mac Irvine
Mac Irvine is the Chief Financial Officer of Jet Zero Australia. He has 15 years’ experience in corporate and project financing, deal structuring, and strategy and execution, both domestically and internationally across a variety of sectors, including low carbon liquid fuels, renewable energy, power and utilities, infrastructure and property. Previously, Mac was Investment Director at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), the Australian Government-owned ‘green bank’. In addition to CEFC, Mac previously held investment banking and advisory roles at Barclays and KPMG in the UK. Mac has a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Commerce (Finance) from the University of Queensland.
Nicole Ehrenfeld
Ms Nicole Ehrenfeld is the Deputy Director for Centres and Associative Research at Chile’s National Agency of Research and Development (ANID). Nicole plays a pivotal role in shaping Chile’s national research agenda, fostering strategic collaborations, and empowering interdisciplinary innovation. She works closely with top academic and scientific institutions to strengthen Chile’s research ecosystem and drive forward-thinking initiatives. Her leadership is regularly showcased through her active involvement in high-level ANID programs and events, where she partners with the National Director to champion government-led innovation and transformative research.
Rupert Maloney
Rupert Maloney is Executive Director of Alternative Fuels at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Rupert leads the CEFC work in investing in the commercialisation of alternative fuels, including hydrogen, bioenergy, waste and recycling, as part of the transition to net zero emissions. Rupert has been instrumental in developing opportunities in the emerging hydrogen sector in Australia. Rupert has almost 20 years’ experience across investment, finance, corporate development and legal roles. Before joining the CEFC he was General Manager in Strategy and Corporate Development at Ampol and prior to that he had senior roles at the US based Keurig Dr Pepper, as well as Macquarie Group.
Carlos Vazquez
Carlos Vazquez brings over 15 years of experience in the development of biofuels and bioenergy projects across Latin America, as well as advisory roles in the Asia-Pacific region. He is the co-founder of Bioena, a Colombian-based producer of 150,000 tonnes per annum of solid biofuels, and Energía Pura, a developer and owner of solid biofuels and biogas projects in Chile and Colombia. Both companies have successfully secured offtake agreements and investment from global partners. Carlos currently serves as Chief Development Officer at Rebalance75, where he leads the development of high-integrity carbon removal and metallurgical biochar projects in Colombia. Previously, he led GHD’s commercial advisory practice in the Asia-Pacific for low-carbon fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel, biogas, and biochar.
Caroline Stott (Moderator)
Caroline Stott is the Associate Director of Energy and Resources with the University of Queensland's Strategic Partnerships team. With a focus on energy transitions, Caroline Stott connects researchers with industry and government partners to explore collaborative research activities, establish commercial partnerships and develop scalable business models.
Caroline has held management and commercialisation roles at Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University, The University of Queensland, the International Energy Centre and the Brandenburg University of Technology (in Germany). She was formerly Chair of the Future Energy Leaders group within the Energy Policy Institute of Australia.

Program

This year's Colloquium will be exclusively held in-person at UQ's St Lucia campus. A livestream will not be available.

Time (AEST)Activity
9:30-10amDoors and registrations open
10-10:15am 
Welcome address
10:15-11:30am

Keynote speaker followed by Q&A
Professor Esteban Marcellin, UQ

11:30am-12:45pmStand up networking lunch
12:45-2:15pm
Panel Discussion 
'Biofuels: Driving innovation, powering the future in Latin America and Australia'
2:15-2:30pmClosing remarks

Contact

For more information about the event or UQ's engagement in Latin America, contact

Daphne Kwong, International Visits and Events Officer, Global Partnerships, UQ.

+61 7 3346 0618

Latin America Film Special Screening

Two special Latin American film screenings will take place following the Latin America Colloquium. Please note these events are independently organised and not hosted by the UQ Global Partnerships Events team.

The Antarctic Peninsula

Courtesy of National Geographic Society
A documentary showcasing Argentina and Chile’s collaboration to establish a marine protected area in the Antarctic Peninsula.
 
Details
When: 4-5pm 
Where: Lecture Theatre, Abel Smith Building (23), UQ St Lucia campus
Registration: Not required

 

REINAS (Queens)

Latin American Film Festival
Closing film of the Latin American Film Festival. 
 
Details
When: 5:30-9pm 
Where: Lecture Theatre, Abel Smith Building (23), UQ St Lucia campus

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