Luis D. Virla
Positions
Assistant Professor
Schulich School of Engineering, Sustainable Systems Engineering
Contact information
I'm looking for...
Study participants
Looking for students interested in pursuing thesis-based MSc. and Ph.D. programs focused on the design, development and implementation of sustainable systems for energy and climate solutions
Background
Educational Background
BSc. Chemical Engineering, University of Zulia,
MSc. Chemical Engineering, University of Zulia,
Ph.D. Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary,
Biography
Dr. Luis D. Virla joined the Sustainable Systems Engineering (SUSE) program and the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Calgary as an Assistant Professor in July 2024.
Before this, Luis served as the R&D Lead - Carbon Management at Nanostech and CTO at Vortis Carbon Corp., a cleantech start-up focused on developing catalytic solutions for the energy transition. From 2020 to 2024, he managed the innovation portfolio on carbon capture, utilization, and decarbonization. Within this period, Luis was also a Research Fellow at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management in TU Delft (Netherlands), contributing to two Horizon Europe projects (LANDMARC and TIPPING+). These projects explored land-based mitigation strategies for net zero futures as well as socio-economic tipping points toward sustainable development and policy innovation across many countries.
Luis is dedicated to supporting sustainable innovation and transitions through humane technology development and co-developing solutions with entrepreneurs, grassroots organizations, industries, governments, and communities. In this spirit, Luis co-founded InnoLab Space, an NGO focused on supporting community-led sustainability initiatives.
Luis earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary in 2018, with a dissertation on "Carbon Supported Metal Carbide Catalysts for the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide". He also holds a BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Zulia (Venezuela). He has over five years of experience as an R&D Lead in the petrochemical industry in Venezuela and held a two-year appointment as a Research Fellow of the Science Policy Research Unit of the University of Sussex, where he examined risks and uncertainties around sustainable transitions in the Canadian Oil Sands (TRANSrisk project).
Research
Areas of Research
My research is focused on exploring “How can clean technology innovation be optimized and accelerated while considering societal needs?
To answer this question, I use a bridging approach based on transdisciplinarity, innovation theory, value-based strategies, participatory modelling, and techno-economic assessment, to facilitate and accelerate cleantech development, evaluation, and implementation in constant feedback with macro (landscapes) and micro (Indigenous and local) systems. The obtained results are then translated to relevant outputs for the Scientific and Social practice.
My group covers topics such as strengthening Sustainable Systems Design through stakeholder engagement, meaningful incorporation of quantitative and qualitative indicators in Systems Modelling, Simulation, and Analysis, and exploration of deep-tech implementation in the industrial ecosystem. A particular focus on natural climate solutions, CCUS, hydrogen, biorefineries, and green chemical production is given aligned with strategic areas in the region.
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Projects
EU funded project that will enhance understanding of the realistic potential of land-based negative emission solutions in agriculture, forestry, and other land use sectors. https://www.landmarc2020.eu/
Horizon 2020 project that advances the scientific understanding of the critical concept of Social-Ecological Tipping Points (SETPs) to support successful clean-energy transitions in Coal and Carbon Intensive Regions (CCIRs). https://tipping-plus.eu/home
Publications
Are you the profile owner?
Login to edit.