We’re taking big steps today to make a larger impact tomorrow.
Our focus is on sustainable and scalable solutions.
our vision
Creating abundance
our mission
Delivering sustainable solutions for separation through disruptive advancements in biochemistry and material science
Mads Clausen
“If everyone can do it, we shouldn’t do it – but if no one can do it, maybe we have a shot."
Mads Clausen
This mantra is from Mads Clausen’s grandfather, after whom he is named, a Danish engineer and industrialist. With the same pioneering spirit, Mads invested in what is now known as Vandstrom. The company was originally founded in 2012 and known as Applied Biomimetic, Inc., a leader in the convergence of polymer and protein membrane technologies.
Mads was fascinated with how a product that is technically an industrial consumable – manufactured into standard elements – could play a critical role in the rate-limiting steps of a process. He realized that this technology needed a breakthrough in performance to enable users to achieve leaner operations and increase capacity in their applications.
Today, the vision of the biomimetic membrane is a manifestation of our intense focus on pushing boundaries in performance. We strive to be game-changers in the application of transmembrane proteins for industrial process separation – using the most efficient separation principle, which has evolved over billions of years. We aren't promising the moon. We're shooting for it.
our team & advisors
Coming from vastly different backgrounds to solve novel problems together.
Behnam Ghalei
Principal Scientist
<p>"As a membrane scientist with experience leading a team to address advanced separation solutions, I’ve always been inspired by how nature elegantly handles separation. This drives me to want to develop biomimetic membranes that combine nature’s brilliance with modern science. With expertise in materials science and polymer chemistry, I focus on creating innovative solutions for water purification. In Vandstrom's collaborative environment, I work alongside diverse minds to tackle these challenges and develop transformative technologies for sustainable water treatment."</p>
Behnam Ghalei
Principal Scientist
<p>"As a membrane scientist with experience leading a team to address advanced separation solutions, I’ve always been inspired by how nature elegantly handles separation. This drives me to want to develop biomimetic membranes that combine nature’s brilliance with modern science. With expertise in materials science and polymer chemistry, I focus on creating innovative solutions for water purification. In Vandstrom's collaborative environment, I work alongside diverse minds to tackle these challenges and develop transformative technologies for sustainable water treatment."</p>
Frank Lipnizki
Strategic Advisory Board Member
<p>Professor Frank Lipnizki is an internationally recognized expert in membrane science and separation technologies. He is Professor of Chemical Engineering at Lund University, where he leads the Membrane Group and directs MemLab, the university's industrial membrane research center. Prior to joining academia, Frank held leadership roles in business development, product management, and research and development at Alfa Laval. His work spans membrane process design, optimization, fouling control, and industrial applications across biotechnology, food processing, water treatment, and sustainability sectors.</p>
Imran Jaferey
Chief Executive Officer
“Working with a team to solve ‘unsolvable’ problems society faces has always been what motivates me. I’ve been fortunate to work with people from all over the world and with a variety of backgrounds, and being able to draw on that diversity is what has driven success in any organization I have been part of.”
Kevin Mrugalski
Biomimetic Program Manager
“I’ve been with Vandstrom for 5+ years. During my tenure, I’ve been proud to be with a team of functional experts working toward solving the world’s most important challenges through separations science. I’m passionate about driving innovation through project management and ensuring that our products provide value to the end-user.”
Klaus Bock
Strategic Advisory Board Member
<p>Professor Klaus Bock is an internationally renowned scientist and research leader whose career has spanned academia, industrial research, and scientific governance. He served as Executive Vice President for Research at Carlsberg and previously held senior leadership positions within the Carlsberg research organization, following an academic career at the Technical University of Denmark. Recognized for his pioneering contributions to carbohydrate chemistry and structural biology, Klaus has authored more than 260 scientific publications and held numerous leadership roles in national and international research organizations, including the European Research Council.</p>
Meron Cherenet
Vice President, Business Operations and Human Capital
“I've been on this journey with Vandstrom for years. In the beginning, I didn't know what I was signing up for. Like many, I was just kicking off my career. Many wins and lessons later, I have come to realize that this is not just a job. It’s a calling to make a difference. I am driven by the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of people keen to collectively create a world that caters to human well-being through science and innovation."
Oliver Geschke
Vice President, Research and Development
“Interdisciplinary research and development have always been my personal drivers. Producing excellent state-of-the-art membrane products is already somewhat complex, but combining classical membrane technology with protein design adds a lot of complexity. It’s not rocket science – perhaps it’s a bit more complex than that! Problems this complex can only be solved together with teammates coming from multiple scientific backgrounds. I’m fortunate to coach such a brilliant interdisciplinary team.”
Per Falholt
Strategic Advisory Board Member
<p>Per Falholt is a biotechnology executive, entrepreneur, and innovation leader with extensive experience in industrial biotechnology and research leadership. During a distinguished career at Novo Nordisk and Novozymes, he served as Executive Vice President of Research and Development, helping build one of the world's leading biotechnology innovation organizations. Since then, he has contributed to numerous startup ventures, board positions, and advisory roles across the life sciences sector. Per brings deep expertise in research strategy, innovation management, product development, intellectual property, and commercialization</p>
Samuel Jayakanthan
Principal Scientist
”I believe that great science can change the world. I am most excited by moonshot projects, and I feel privileged to be part of a team committed to using challenging and innovative science that will push humanity forward. As the team lead for the protein department, my passion is for integral membrane proteins and how we can leverage their unique filtration properties (evolved over billions of years) to create unrivaled filtration systems. The potential applications are broad – but first, let’s help solve the world’s water crisis.“
Simon Dukes
Strategic Advisory Board Member
<p>Simon Dukes is a water technology innovator with more than four decades of experience in membrane systems, water reuse, emerging contaminants, and technology commercialization. His career has included senior leadership roles at Koch Membrane Systems, Siemens Water Technologies, Evoqua Water Technologies, and Onvector. An accomplished inventor and technology strategist, Simon has led the development of advanced treatment solutions and helped bring emerging technologies from concept to commercial deployment. He currently advises organizations across the global water sector through his consulting practice, Dukes & Associates</p>
Will Sarni
Strategic Advisory Board Member
<p>Will Sarni is a globally recognized leader in water strategy, sustainability, and technology innovation. He currently serves as Practice Lead for Water and Nature at Earth Finance and previously founded Water Foundry, a water strategy advisory firm. Throughout his career, he has advised multinational corporations, investors, and technology companies on water stewardship, digital transformation, and sustainable growth. A prolific author, speaker, investor, and board advisor, Will is widely recognized for helping organizations identify innovative approaches to water strategy, security and resilience.</p>
Behnam Ghalei
Principal Scientist
<p>"As a membrane scientist with experience leading a team to address advanced separation solutions, I’ve always been inspired by how nature elegantly handles separation. This drives me to want to develop biomimetic membranes that combine nature’s brilliance with modern science. With expertise in materials science and polymer chemistry, I focus on creating innovative solutions for water purification. In Vandstrom's collaborative environment, I work alongside diverse minds to tackle these challenges and develop transformative technologies for sustainable water treatment."</p>
