Monday, 2 June 2025 The ImmBIO Project Enabled a Second Student Visit to Novartis

On May 23rd, as part of the ImmBIO project, a second working visit took place at Novartis in Mengeš, attended by seven students from the University of Primorska, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT), along with their academic mentor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karla Ferjančič.

The project focuses on developing mathematical models of a bioreactor and is carried out under the public call Problem-Based Student Learning in a Work Environment: Business, Non-Business, and Non-Profit Sectors in the Local/Regional Environment 2024–2027.

Under the guidance of industrial mentors Dr. Andrej Pohar and Ms. Andreja Pirnat, students are divided into three groups and, through regular online meetings, explore the following topics:

• Solving fluid dynamics problems in a bioreactor using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This includes testing various turbulence models such as k-ε and LES, for mixing simulations, and performing tracer tests to gain insights into medium homogenization.
• Mechanistic modeling of the bioreactor: Developing a one-dimensional model using ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and a two-dimensional model with partial differential equations (PDEs), as well as solving the corresponding systems of equations using numerical methods.
• Modeling of Single-Pass Tangential Flow Filtration (SPTFF) to determine the optimal process parameters.

During their visit, students had the chance to revisit the upstream and downstream department laboratories, which deepened their understanding of the industrial context of the challenges they are researching. In addition, they presented the progress of their work and, together with their mentors, planned further activities leading up to the project's conclusion.

Sincere gratitude to the hosts at Novartis for their warm welcome and the invaluable exchange of knowledge and experience.