Shiva Khoshtinat
Polytechnic University of Milan
Italy
Dr. Shiva Khoshtinat is an interdisciplinary researcher with a background in civil engineering, architecture, and materials science. Her expertise lies at the intersection of biomimicry, smart materials, and waste upcycling for sustainable development. Her work is driven by bio-inspired innovation, with a particular focus on translating natural strategies into engineered solutions. Her Ph.D. research was centered on the development of humidity-responsive self-actuators inspired by plants' response to environmental stimuli, advancing the field of climate-adaptive architectural materials.
She is also recognized for her contributions to microbial biocementation, particularly in modeling calcium carbonate precipitation mediated by Sporosarcina pasteurii—a promising route toward carbon-neutral construction. Her work exemplifies how scientific inquiry, inspired by nature and powered by engineering, can drive real-world solutions to environmental challenges.
