Dina Maniar did her PhD in the Macromolecular Chemistry and New Polymeric Materials research group at the University of Groningen. Following her postdoctoral tenure within the same research group, she joined the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials as an Assistant Professor and chaired the Polymer-based composite materials research group. Her primary research revolves around the development of novel synthesis strategies for polymeric materials. A significant aspect of her research group involves the synthesis of sustainable materials, specifically biobased and biodegradable polymers, as well as their composites. Her research team combines biocatalysis and precise polymer synthesis to craft materials well-suited for diverse applications ranging from packaging and thermally reversible polymeric products to tissue engineering and prosthetics. She is an advisory board member of the Tetrahedron Green Chemistry journal and the Outdoor Science Education for Sustainable Future (OTTER) program.

Selected publications:

1. Furan-Based Copolyesters from Renewable Resources: Enzymatic Synthesis and Properties. Maniar, D., Jiang, Y., Woortman, A. J. J., van Dijken, J. & Loos, K., 7-Mar-2019, In: Chemsuschem. 12, 5, p. 990-999 10 p.

This paper investigates the enzymatic co-polymerization of two highly significant furanic monomers (FDCA and BHMF). The research has been highlighted on the cover and acknowledged as a "Very Important Paper" (VIP) in the Chemsuschem journal.

1. A Perspective on PEF Synthesis, Properties, and End-Life. Loos, K., Zhang, R., Pereira, I., Agostinho, B., Hu, H., Maniar, D., Sbirrazzuoli, N., Silvestre, A. J. D., Guigo, N. & Sousa, A. F., 31-Jul-2020, In: Frontiers in Chemistry. 8, 18 p., 585.

This paper provides a comprehensive outlook on PEF synthesis, properties, and end-of-life considerations. It represents a substantial collaborative effort and has garnered 94 citations since its publication in 2020.

1. Biobased 2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan as a Versatile Building Block for Sustainable Polymeric Materials. Post, C., Maniar, D., Voet, V. S. D., Folkersma, R. & Loos, K., 14-Mar-2023, In: ACS Omega. 8, 10, p. 8991-9003 13 p.

This latest publication has gained substantial attention since its recent release, positioning it as a foundational benchmark in the realm of BHMF research. The paper has been highlighted in the journal cover.