• GreenX MENA 2025 (Co-Organizer): Coorganized a regional youth forum on water and climate resilience; reviewed 1,250+ applications; supported 200+ youth from 14 countries; jury member for the youth hackathon; speaker and moderator on water, climate, and digital technologies.
• WetSkills Challenge: Co-developed a project on the food security–migration nexus with an international team for the dutch embassy in Tunis.
• Research Supervisor (Lebanese University): Guided master’s students in proposal writing, lab work, data analysis, and thesis preparation.
• Lead Mitigation Researcher (USAID – INTEGRATED): Identified lead exposure sources in Lebanon, conducted stakeholder research, and produced program recommendations.
• Trainer (University of Montpellier): Developed antibacterial biochar protocols and silver–biochar composites for water treatment.
• Head of Research & Knowledge (AYGVN): Lead Arabic scientific content creation and quality assurance.
• Circular Economy Trainer (AYGVN): Trained youth from 9 Arab countries on circular economy concepts.
• Co-Founder & Advisor (AYGVN): Organized regional climate events , developed proposals, and co-created an environmental podcast.
• Environmental Consultant: Advised on biochar production, waste management, and bioreactor design.
• Co-Founder (OR-TRAY): Developed biodegradable and edible alternatives to single-use plastics.
• Environmental Engineer (Charpy-Biochar): Conduct R&D on biochar products, stakeholder engagement, and product quality analysis.
• Research Internships (AGRITEK & Lebanese University): Worked on medicinal plant studies, agricultural feasibility, and biochar-based heavy metal removal.
• Lab Technician (LARI): Performed soil, fertilizer, and water quality analysis, including heavy metals and pollution testing.

• Water and wastewater treatment
• Biochar and biomass valorization
• Environmental engineering
• Circular economy
• Climate resilience
• Youth capacity building
• Research supervision
• Scientific communication (Arabic & English)
• Waste management
• Sustainable agriculture
• Environmental policy and stakeholder engagement

•Kataya, G.; El Badan, D.; Cornu, D.; Mousawi, A.A.; Bechelany, M.; Hijazi, A. Evaluating Biochar’s Role in Dye Adsorption and Wheat Performance Under Saline Conditions. Materials 2025, 18, 4678. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18204678
•Kataya, G., Issa, M., Badran, A. Dynamic removal of methylene blue and methyl orange from water using biochar derived from kitchen waste. Sci Rep 15, 29907 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14133-6
•Kataya, G., Issa, M., El Charif, Z., Cornu, D., Taleb, B., Bechelany, M., & Hijazi, A. (2024). Enhanced Copper Adsorption with Sustainable Biochar Derived from Kitchen Waste. Water, 17(13), 1887. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17131887
•Kataya, G., Charif, Z. E., Badran, A., Cornu, D., Bechelany, M., Hijazi, A., Sukkariyah, B., & Issa, M. (2024). Evaluating the impact of different biochar types on wheat germination. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76765-4
•Rammal, M., Kataya, G., Badran, A., Yazbeck, L., Haidar, C., Hassan, K. H., Hijazi, A., Meouche, W., Bechelany, M., & El-Dakdouki, M. H. (2023). Biochar derived from citronella and oregano waste residues for removal of organic dyes and soil amendment. Current Research in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 9, 100433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crgsc.2024.100433
•Kataya, G., Cornu, D., Bechelany, M., Hijazi, A., & Issa, M. (2023). Biomass Waste Conversion Technologies and Its Application for Sustainable Environmental Development—A Review. Agronomy, 13(11), 2833. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112833
•Taleb, B., Jahjah, R., Cornu, D., Bechelany, M., Al Ajami, M., Kataya, G., Hijazi, A., & H., M. (2022). Exploring Hydrogen Sources in Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation: A Review of Unsaturated Compound Reduction. Molecules, 28(22), 7541. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28227541
•Kataya, G., Issa, M., Jeguirim, M., & Hijazi, A. (2023). Characterization and Environmental Application Potential of Banana Peels Biochar. Engineering Proceedings, 37(1), 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/ECP2023-14725
•Ghenwa kataya, May Issa and Akram Hijazi. Valorization of Coffee Residue Waste: Mini Review. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 52(3)-2023. BJSTR. MS.ID.008260.

Water Biofilter from kitchen waste - Lebanon

• Recognized as one of the "Ten Outstanding Young People in Lebanon for 2022" in the Environmental Innovation sector by UNIC and JCI Lebanon.
• Honored as an MTE Climate Ambassador – 2023 by GYNC and the World Bank.
• Invited to attend a very high-level meeting with the secretary general of the United Nations, COP30, Belem (2025).

Ghenwa Kataya is a PhD Holder in earth and environmental engineering , environmental engineer, sustainability advocate, and youth leader dedicated to promoting circular economy solutions and climate action. With several years of experience in waste management, biochar research, and sustainability consulting, she has worked extensively with municipalities, entrepreneurs, and international organizations to develop innovative environmental solutions.
As the co-founder of OR-TRAY, she pioneers sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics by creating biodegradable and edible tableware from fruit peel waste. Additionally, through Charpy-for Biochar products and services startup , she transforms organic waste into biochar for soil enhancement and water treatment, advancing carbon sequestration and sustainable agriculture. Her PhD research focuses on biomass waste valorization, heavy metal removal, and biochar applications, contributing to peer-reviewed publications and patents in environmental science.