Julian Melchiorri is a British-Italian inventor and engineer known for his work in biotechnology and biomimetic engineering. He is the founder and CEO of Arborea, a company focused on industrializing photosynthesis to address environmental challenges. Melchiorri has gained recognition for his innovative projects, including the development of a synthetic leaf that can produce oxygen, which has garnered attention for potential applications in space travel and sustainable living.

He serves as a Visiting Tutor in the Innovation Design Engineering (IDE) program at Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art (RCA), a role he has held since 2020. This program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to innovation, combining engineering and design principles to create impactful solutions. Melchiorri's educational background includes a double MSc from Imperial College London and RCA, where he specialized in advanced manufacturing and biotechnology.123

In addition to his academic role, Melchiorri is involved in mentoring startups at Plug & Play Tech Centre in California and has been recognized as a leading social entrepreneur under 30 by Forbes. His contributions to the field have earned him various accolades, including the Simon Peres Heritage Award for social innovation and the Emerging Talent Medal from the Mayor of London.12