Biopolymers & Bioplastics

Dr. Amar K Mohanty, a Full Professor and Premier’s Research Chair in Biomaterials and Transportation is the Director of Bioproducts Discovery & Development Centre at University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He is an international leader in the field of bioplastics, biobased materials and advanced biorefining with a focus in engineering new sustainable materials. He has more than 500 publications to his credit including 260 peer-reviewed journal papers, 25 patents (granted/filed), several conference presentation, 15 book chapters and three edited books - his total citations being 13,827 with h-index of 56. He was the recipient of the Andrew Chase Forest Products Division Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and Jim Hammer Memorial Service Award from the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society. His R&D excellence has helped in developing a number of industrial products and recently his research innovations have brought three biobased products to the market place.

Biomaterials Natural Fiber Composites and All Green Composites Nanostructure Controlled Bioplastics and Hyperbranched Polymers Nanocomposites (Polymer-clay and Polymer-Carbon Nanotubes) and Nanoblends Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes and Clays Renewable Resourse-based Biodegradable polymers (Polylactides, Polyhydroxyalkanoates, Cellulose esters and Starch plastics) Petroleum-based Biodegradable Polymers (Aliphatic Polyesters and Aliphatic-aromatic Copolyesters) Polytrimethylene Terephthalate (SoronaT) based Composites, Blends and Nanocomposites Reactive extrusion, Injection Molding, Thermoforming and Co-Injection Molding Soy-based Bioplastics (Soy oil-based Thermoset Resins and Soy Protein-based Thermoplastic) Polyols from Plant Oils and Biobased Polyurethanes Biobased Polyesters/Epoxies and their biomaterials Biodegradable Polymers and Sustainable Packaging Biofuels, Biorefinery and Sustainability Value-added Applications of Downstream Co-products from Dry-milling Corn Ethanol Industries e.g. Distillers' Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) and Carbon Dioxide as Biocomposites, Bioadhesives and Biochemicals Value-added Applications of Corn Gluten Meal (Co-product from Wet-milling Corn ethanol Industries) as Biodegradable Plastics and Biocomposites Value-added Applications of Coproducts from Soy Biodiesel Industries e.g. Soy meal and Glycerol as Biodegradable Plastic, Biocomposites and Biochemicals New Uses of Lignin and Residual Biomass from Cellulosic Ethanol in Value-added Applications Pretreatment of Biomasses for Biofuels Sustainability Issues of Biofuel Industries and Biorefinery

Dr. Fenniri received all his degrees from the Université de Strasbourg, France. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the Scripps Research Institute, CA, USA, he moved to Purdue University, IN, USA, where he initiated his independent academic career, and established the Purdue Laboratory for Chemical Nanotechnology (1999). In 2003, He joined the National Research Council as a founding member of the National Institute for Nanotechnology and as professor of chemistry and bioengineering at the University of Alberta (Canada, 2003-2013). Dr. Fenniri is currently Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Dr. Fenniri’s contributions appeared in over 220 publications, 20 patents and patent applications, and over 500 contributed national and international conference papers. Dr. Fenniri has also lectured extensively around the globe and has been an invited professor at several institutes and universities.

“Chiromers: conformation-driven mirror-image supramolecular chirality isomerism identified in a new class of helical rosette nanotubes” was featured on the cover Nanoscale

Dr. Menaa (PhD, MBA, MD candidate) is an internationally inter- and multi-disciplinary professional with holistic concept of Medicine. More than 10 years experiences in academic institutions (e.g. France, USA, Germany, Brazil) and industrial sectors (e.g. Guerbet SA, SANOFI, Fluorotronics Inc.). He is an independent consulting expert, researcher and Chief Editor of Journal of Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology (http://www.omicsonline.org/editorialboard-nanomedicine-nanotechnology-open-access.php). He is also member of various scientific committees, boards and associations, and organized the “Target Meeting´s 1st World Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology Online Conference” (http://www.targetmeeting.com; 2013). He has contributed to over 100 scientific articles, 200 international events, and is the recipient of various recognitions.

Dr. Menaa´s R&D interests include the integration of innovative green techniques, technologies, methods and applications for personalized and translational medicine, in particular to improve the outcomes of cancer patients, stroke patients and to delay the anti-aging process while improving the life quality of the human beings.

Dr. Bharat Bhushan received an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1971, an M.S. in mechanics and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1973 and 1976, respectively, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, NY in 1980, Doctor Technicae from the University of Trondheim at Trondheim, Norway in 1990, a Doctor of Technical Sciences from the Warsaw University of Technology at Warsaw, Poland in 1996, and Doctor Honouris Causa from the National Academy of Sciences at Gomel, Belarus in 2000 and University of Kragujevac, Serbia in 2011. He is a registered professional engineer. He is presently an Ohio Eminent Scholar and The Howard D. Winbigler Professor in the College of Engineering, and the Director of the Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- & Nanotechnology and Biomimetics (NLB2) and affiliated faculty in John Glenn College of Public Affairs at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. In 2013-14, he served as an ASME/AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow, House Committee on Science, Space & Technology, United States Congress, Washington, DC. His research interests include fundamental studies with a focus on scanning probe techniques in the interdisciplinary areas of bio/nanotribology, bio/nanomechanics and bio/nanomaterials characterization and applications to bio/nanotechnology, and biomimetics. He is an internationally recognized expert of bio/nanotribology and bio/nanomechanics using scanning probe microscopy, and is one of the most prolific authors. He is considered by some a pioneer of the tribology and mechanics of magnetic storage devices. He has authored 8 scientific books, 90+ handbook chapters, 800+ scientific papers (h-index – 76+; ISI Highly Cited Researcher in Materials Science since 2007 and in Biology and Biochemistry since 2013; ISI Top 5% Cited Authors for Journals in Chemistry since 2011), and 60+ technical reports. He has also edited 50+ books and holds 20 U.S. and foreign patents. He is co-editor of Springer NanoScience and Technology Series and co-editor of Microsystem Technologies, and Member of Editorial Board of PNAS. He has given more than 400 invited presentations on six continents and more than 200 keynote/plenary addresses at major international conferences.

bio/nanotribology, bio/nanomechanics and bio/nanomaterials

Andrei Surguchov, Ph.D. accepted Faculty position in Baylor College of Medicine in 1992. In 1998 he became a head of the laboratory in Washington University, St. Louis, MO. Currently, he is a Professor in Kansas University Medical Center and head of the laboratory in VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO. He published 90 articles in high ranking scientific journals. He was invited in NIH Study sections and has been serving as an Editorial board member in 15 journal.

Protein folding and misfolding, mechanism of neurodegeneration, synucleins, microRNAs, regulation of gene expression

Ajay Kumar Mishra is a full Professor at the Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit at College of Science, Engineering & Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, South Africa. Prof. Mishra is currently working for University of South Africa as “Full Professor” since January 2015. He is also working as “Adjunct Professor” at Jiangsu University, China. His research interests include synthesis nanomaterials/composites, smart materials, and water research. He has authored over 100 scientific papers. He has delivered a number of including Plenary/Keynote/Invited Lectures. For his outstanding research profile, he was awarded a number of international awards. Prof. Mishra also served as Associate Editor as well as member of the editorial board of many peer-reviewed international journals. He has edited several books by the renowned publishers and also reviewer of many international journals. He is serving as member advisory board of a number of international scientific societies, conferences and workshops

My research interest is in four broad areas, namely: Nanoscience/Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Polymers, Composite/Nanocomposites and Water Research. I am actively involved in the area of nanotechnology towards the development of smart materials for various applications in the field of materials science and water research. I train and supervise Honours, Masters and Doctoral students as well as postdoctoral fellows under the following research themes: 1.Synthesis of multifunctional nano-materials, nano-composites, biopolymer and/or petrochemical based biodegradable polymers and polymers based materials/composites for various applications, special attention to drug delivery. 2.Nanotechnology towards to the development of smart materials for various applications in the field of Materials Science/Polymer Science/Water Research/Bio-inorganic Chemistry. 3.Organometallic Chemistry/Bio-inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis in the area of Inorganic Chemistry. 4.Carbon nanotube and graphene based composite materials for technological applications.

Richard A. Gross is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering; Constellation Chair of Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering appointed in Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Chief Technical Officer of SyntheZyme,Chair for Presidential Green Chemistry Award Panel, ACS. Director – NSF Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing of Macromolecules.

..

Dr. Bingkun K. Chen is Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director of the Neural Component of the Biomaterials Characterization & Histology Core Laboratory, and Supervisor in Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Dr. Chen graduated with an M.D. in China, further studied in Germany, later received his Ph.D. in Japan, and recently earned his M.B.A. in the United States. Dr. Chen focus on spinal cord injury and regeneration. He developed and optimized two axonal tracing techniques, i. e. Bidiretional axonal tracing with DiI and DiO, and retrograde axonal tracing with Fast Blue (FB). By using tissue engineered technology with biodegradable polymer scaffolds loaded with growth-promoting cells (schwann cells, SCs) to bridge the transection, it might aim to shift the balance in the injured spinal cord towards healing and functional regeneration. Dr. Chen is currently serving on the Mayo Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Mayo Research Safety Committee. Dr. Chen also serves as the Chair of Chinese Student & Scholar Association at Mayo and Chair of Chinese Mayo Employee Resource Group. Dr. Chen has authored and published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles; in addition he has served as Editor, Associate editor and Editor-in-chief for a numerous books and bulletins, and as Reviewer for a number of journals in neuroscience.

Spinal cord injury and regeneration by using tissue engineered technology with biodegradable polymer scaffolds.

Harrison Yu is CEO at Bondable Biopolymers, LLC. He has explored and developed a processing method of making products with overall desirable performance/price ratios from bioplastics at the economic scale. Bondable Biopolymers, LLC is 2013 Innovation in Bioplastics Award Finalist, and received a Certificate from Society of Plastics Industry Bioplastics Council in May 2013. The Certificate appreciates and recognizes Bondable Biopolymers, LLC for the innovation, sustainability and impact to the marketplace demonstrated by its application. Harrison Yu is interested in the interaction between invention and innovation. He is also interested in groundbreaking long term remained impasse and contemporary genius. Harrison Yu has 13+ year experiences in business development management after received his M.S. in Polymer Engineering from University of Akron in 2000. These experiences include start up high tech Company since 2009, giant corporation new technology division in continuous production (Brand Loyalty) 2001-08, and small business in custom production 1999-00. His works focus on making and marketing various controlled release devices from polymers and biopolymers.

.

Prof. Chang-Sik Ha received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Pusan National University (PNU), Korea (1978) and his M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST), Seoul, Korea (1982). He obtained his Ph.D. at the KAIST in 1987. He has joined at the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University as a professor since 1982. He was a visiting scholar for a year four times in USA (Univ. of Cincinnati(1987); Stanford Univ.(1997); SUNY Buffalo(2005); UCLA(2011)). He is now a director of the Pioneer Research Center for Nanogrid Materials, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea. He served as a Vice President of Pusan National University in 2012 and an Honorary Professor of University of Queensland, Australia (2013-2015).He was elected to both the Korea Academy of Science and Technology(KAST) and the National Engineering Academy of Korea(NEAK) in 2004. He has served as an editorial board member of several international journals including an Associate Editor of the Advanced Porous Materials as well as an Associate Editor of the Composite Interfaces and the former Editor-in-Chief of the Macromolecular Research(2008 ~ 2011). He received many awards including the Samsung Polymer Science Award from the Polymer Society of Korea (2011) and the Scientist of the Month Award from the Ministry of Science and Engineering(2007) and the Best Researcher Award from Pusan National University(2007, 2009).

His research interests are Organic/Inorganic Nanohybrid Materials based on Biopolymers; Mesoporous Materials and Nanostructured Materials for Drug Delivery, and so on.

Dr. Abidi is Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Science and Associate Director of the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute at Texas Tech University. He holds a “Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches” from the University of Haute Alsace in France and a Ph.D. from the University of Montpellier II in France. Dr. Abidi has generated more than 58 refereed journal publications, 1 book, 10 book chapters, more than 123 conference papers, 1 patent, 1 provisional patent, and 6 invention disclosures. The research focus of Dr. Abidi span from the characterization of biopolymers using advanced techniques (such as Fourier Transform Infrared imaging) to the development of bioproducts from biopolymers.

Research activities for Dr. Abidi are now encompassing: (1) chemistry of sugars involved in cotton stickiness and evaluation of new stickiness detection method based on sugar properties, (2) Relationship between cotton fiber physical properties (ex. strength, fineness and maturity) and structural properties (ex. crystallinity and fibril orientation), (3) Study of cotton fiber development using FTIR microspectroscopy, (4) Functionalization of cotton fabric surface and development of new products with new functional properties (ex. Ultraviolet protection properties, antibacterial, stain resistant, water repellent, winkle free), using Microwave plasma and sol-gel technologies.

Dr Warren Grigsby is a Researcher Leader at Scion (New Zealand) with research activity spanning synthetic and polymer chemistry applications of biopolymer systems. Warren is leading the development of bio-based adhesive and polymer systems that can be used as substitutes for chemicals derived from petroleum. He has a lead role in the direction and coordination of innovative research efforts in both commercial and government-funded research. His current research activities include the synthesis of biobased adhesives and resins for use in engineered wood products and high performance composites, novel wood modification processing strategies, and adapting polyphenolics in a range of applications.

Synthesis of biobased adhesives and resins for use in engineered wood products and high performance composites, novel wood modification processing strategies, and adapting polyphenolics in a range of applications.

Pr. Luc Avérous is a Group (BioTeam) Leader, Head of Polymer Research Department at ICPEES (UMR CNRS 7515) - Univ. of Strasbourg (France), and former Lab Director. He started as Polymer Engineer (EAHP-Strasbourg). Then in 1995, he obtained his PhD in Polymer Science & Engineering (Ecole des Mines de Paris). In 1997, he became A/Prof. at the Packaging Eng School in Reims (Fr) after two post-doctoral positions (Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal,). Then in 2003, he became a Full Professor at ECPM (Strasbourg), where he teaches biopolymer science, biomaterials, composites, plastic processing & polymers charact. During the last two decades, his major research projects have dealt with biobased and/or biodegradable polymers for environmental & biomedical applications. As a leading international expert in these fields, he has developed strong collaborations with several foreign labs (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Spain,) and major companies (Total, PSA, Soprema, Tereos,). He serves as a member of research advisory boards for different companies. In France or overseas, he is regularly invited to co-organize Conferences, to chair Symposia, and to give plenary or keynote lectures. He has co-edited 4 books (2 Wiley, 1 Elsevier & 1 Springer). He is a member of several Editorial Boards, and Guest Editor for scientific journals. He is a referee for many scientific journals, books and international projects. He has published hundreds of scientific communications with more than 5000 citations (H-Index > 35).

Topics: - Biopolymers: polysaccharides & bacterial polymers - Renewable and biodegradable (co-)polyesters - Enzymatic catalysis & White Biotech - New biobased architectures (TPU, PUR, PIR, NIPU, PA,) with building blocks from different biomass (lignins, tannins, fatty acids, sugars,) - Multiphase systems (Nano & biocomposites, blends,) - Biomaterials for biomedical (Tissue Eng. & Electrospinning, Biosensor, Controlled release,)

Prof. Ajay Kumar Mishra is currently working as Professor at Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (NanoWS) Research Unit, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, , Johannesburg, South Africa. He is an "Adjunct Professor" at Jiangsu University, China. Prof. Mishra obtained his PhD in Chemistry from Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. In 2006, he moved to the University of Free State, South Africa for Postdoctoral studies in the area of composites/nanocomposites. Later in 2009 he joined the Department of Applied Chemistry as a Senior Lecturer where he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2011. Prof. Mishra is currently group leader of the research area for the composites/nanocomposites, water research and bio-inorganic chemistry. He has hosted several visiting researchers/scientists/postdocs in his group. Prof. Mishra has also developed a number of collaborations worldwide. His research contribution includes many publications in international journals. He has delivered a number of plenary, keynote and invited lectures. For his outstanding research profile, he was awarded a number of awards. Prof. Mishra also served as Associate Editor as well as a member of editorial boards of many international journals. He has edited several books by renowned publishers. He has also reviewed a number of international journals and member of a number of scientific societies.

My research interest is in four broad areas, namely: Nanoscience/Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Polymers, Composite/Nanocomposites and Water Research. I am actively involved in the area of nanotechnology towards the development of smart materials for various applications in the field of materials science and water research.

Richard A. Gross is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering; Constellation Chair of Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering appointed in Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Chief Technical Officer of SyntheZyme,Chair for Presidential Green Chemistry Award Panel, ACS. Director – NSF Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing of Macromolecules.

Director – NSF Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing of Macromolecules
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
New York
USA

Head of Biopolymer Research
Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute
Texas Tech University
USA

Sigbritt Karlsson was born in 1958. She graduated with the M. Sc. in Chemical Engineering specializing in Biotechnology from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden in 1982. She obtained the Ph.D. degree at the same University in 1988 in Polymer Technology after which she became an Associate Professor in 1992. From 1999 she is Professor in Polymer Technology-the Environmental Interaction of Polymeric Materials at KTH, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Fibre and Polymer Technology.She is Editor-in-Chief for Rapra: Polymers from Renewable Resources since 2010. Presently she is on temporary leave to act as Vice-Chancellor of Skövde University 2010.

Her main research interest is in the Environmental Interaction of Polymers; Biofilm formation on polymeric surfaces; Adhesion of micro-organisms and antimicrobial polymers, Biopolymers (polysaccharides, proteins); Biocomposites: Long-term properties of Polymeric Materials; Polymer Analysis.

Ignacy has completed his PhD in Physical Chemistry at Gothenburg University in 1985 and afterwards he joined SP Technical research Institute of Sweden. In 2005 he became Associate professor in Polymer Technology at the Chalmers University of Technology. He is currently the R&D Manager at SP Polymer & Fibre section. He has published 25 papers in reputed journals and 45 contributions at international scientific conferences. He is serving as a reviewer for scientific journals. An essential part of his scientific work comprises degradation, stabilisation and lifetime technology of polymeric materials. Furthermore, his scientific work comprises recycling of plastics along with development of new polymeric materials with enhanced properties and reduced environmental impact. He is also involved in the development of test methods and international standardisation acting among others as convenor for the Swedish national standardisation committee for plastics.

Development and study of biodegradable plastics, Development, preparation and study of polymer nanocomposites, Degradation, stabilisation and lifetime technology of polymeric materials, Development and study of bio-based polymeric materials including recycling of bio-based thermoplastics, Recycling of plastics

Dr. Bingkun K. Chen is Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director of the Neural Component of the Biomaterials Characterization & Histology Core Laboratory, and Supervisor in Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Dr. Chen graduated with an M.D. in China, further studied in Germany, later received his Ph.D. in Japan, and recently earned his M.B.A. in the United States. Dr. Chen focus on spinal cord injury and regeneration. He developed and optimized two axonal tracing techniques, i. e. Bidiretional axonal tracing with DiI and DiO, and retrograde axonal tracing with Fast Blue (FB). By using tissue engineered technology with biodegradable polymer scaffolds loaded with growth-promoting cells (schwann cells, SCs) to bridge the transection, it might aim to shift the balance in the injured spinal cord towards healing and functional regeneration. Dr. Chen is currently serving on the Mayo Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Mayo Research Safety Committee. Dr. Chen also serves as the Chair of Chinese Student & Scholar Association at Mayo and Chair of Chinese Mayo Employee Resource Group. Dr. Chen has authored and published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles; in addition he has served as Editor, Associate editor and Editor-in-chief for a numerous books and bulletins, and as Reviewer for a number of journals in neuroscience.

Spinal cord injury and regeneration by using tissue engineered technology with biodegradable polymer scaffolds.

Ben Chu is a Distinguished Professor at Stony Brook University with current research Interests in static/dynamic properties of macromolecular and supra-molecular solutions, polysaccharide nano-structured fibers, separation membranes for water/air purification, tissue engineering and gene/drug delivery. Chu was a Sloan Fellow, a Guggenheim Fellow, a Humboldt Awardee for Senior U.S. Scientists, a Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, a Langmuir Distinguished Lecturer of the American Chemical Society, a Gutenberg Lecturer at the University of Mainz and a recipient of the High Polymer Physics Prize from the American Physical Society. He is an Honorary Member of the Society of Polymer Science in Japan and an Honorary Professor of six Chinese institutes/universities, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Chu has authored/co-authored over 650 publications, 40 patents and patent applications, as well as authored/co-authored or edited 5 books, with Laser Light Scattering being published by Dover (2007) after the 2nd edition by Academic Press in 1991.

Static/dynamic properties of macromolecular and supra-molecular solutions, polysaccharide nano-structured fibers, separation membranes for water/air purification, tissue engineering and gene/drug delivery

Dr. Erol Sancaktar received his Ph.D. (Eng. Mechanics) and M.S. (Mech. Eng.) degrees from Virginia Tech. He is a Fellow of ASME, and served as Chair of ASME Tech. Committee on Reliability Stress Analysis, and Failure Prevention (1997-2008). He served as Associate Editor for the ASME J. Mech. Design (1995-2006) and Medical Devices (2006-2013). Dr Sancaktar has also served as member of the Editorial Board of J. Adhesion Sci. and Tech. (1993-2013), Int. J. Polymer Sci., as well as Recent Patents in Chemical Eng. since 2008, Current Nanoscience since 2009, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology-ASIA since 2010, Reviews of Adhesion and Adhesives since 2012, and J. Adhesion since 2013. Dr. Sancaktar organized 29 Conferences. He was a faculty member at the Mechanical Eng. Dept. at Clarkson University during 1978 to 1996 before joining Univ. Akron in 1996 as Professor of Polymer Eng. He has also been appointed professor of Mechanical Eng. in 2009. He edited 24 books, authored 94 refereed journal articles, 29 articles in books edited by others, including 2 chapters in ASM Engineered Materials Handbook, as well as two chapters in Handbook of Adhesion Technology by Springer. He has delivered 234 technical presentations, and has 3 patents. Dr. Sancaktar’s current research activities include: Self-assembly in block copolymers and stretched polymer films; Modification and use of electrospun nanofibers; Use of excimer laser in composite material, adhesion and polymer property evaluation, polymer welding, micromachining applications and nanolithography; Electrically/electronically conductive polymers/adhesives/composites; Optimization of adhesion and adhesive joint geometries, surface topographies, and Design of/with novel materials.

Self-assembly in block copolymers and stretched polymer films; Modification and use of electrospun nanofibers; Use of excimer laser in composite material, adhesion and polymer property evaluation, polymer welding, micromachining applications and nanolithography; Electrically/electronically conductive polymers/adhesives/composites; Optimization of adhesion and adhesive joint geometries, surface topographies, and Design of/with novel materials.

Dr Warren Grigsby is a Researcher Leader at Scion (New Zealand) with research activity spanning synthetic and polymer chemistry applications of biopolymer systems. Warren is leading the development of bio-based adhesive and polymer systems that can be used as substitutes for chemicals derived from petroleum. He has a lead role in the direction and coordination of innovative research efforts in both commercial and government-funded research. His current research activities include the synthesis of biobased adhesives and resins for use in engineered wood products and high performance composites, novel wood modification processing strategies, and adapting polyphenolics in a range of applications.

Synthesis of biobased adhesives and resins for use in engineered wood products and high performance composites, novel wood modification processing strategies, and adapting polyphenolics in a range of applications.

CEO
Scion
New Zealand

Nazim Cicek is a Professional Engineer and Professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba, Canada. He currently also serves as the Acting Department Head. He received his M.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering in 1995 and Ph.D. degree in Environmental Engineering in 1999 from the University of Cincinnati, OH, USA. After working for 2 ½ years in the private sector, he returned to academia in November 2001. Nazim’s research interests are in the general area of biological waste treatment, biofuel and bioenergy production processes, bio-polymer production, fermentation, anaerobic digestion and nutrient removal from wastewater. Nazim has authored or co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and presented his research results in numerous international conferences.

Nazim’s research interests are in the general area of biological waste treatment, biofuel and bioenergy production processes, bio-polymer production, fermentation, anaerobic digestion and nutrient removal from wastewater

Head of the Department of Biomaterials
Institute of Science and Technology of Polymers
Spain

Prof Sudip K. Rakshit joined Lakehead as a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Biorefining and Bioenergy Processes in 2012 and is part of the Biorefining Research Institute (BRI) and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the university. Earlier he served as the Vice President for Research at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and in the Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology (FEBT) program there. His first employment was at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, India, Prof Rakshit obtained his Master and Phd in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology from IIT, Delhi, India and B.Tech from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India. Dr. Rakshit has more than 150 publications in refereed journals, is a Life Member of the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), a foundation member of the Asian Association of Agricultural Engineers (AAAE), American Chemical Society (ACS),Canadian Society of Chemical Engineers (CSChE), etc. He has been on the board of several research and development programmes.

Examining innovative methods to convert renewable biomass such as wood and agriculture products to biofuels and renewable chemicals.

Professor Ramesh K. Agarwal is the William Palm Professor of Engineering and the Director of Aerospace Research and Education Center at Washington University in St. Louis. From 1994 to 2001, he was the Sam Bloomfield Distinguished Professor and Executive Director of the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University in Kansas. From 1978 to 1994, he was the Program Director and McDonnell Douglas Fellow at McDonnell Douglas Research Laboratories in St. Louis. Dr. Agarwal received Ph.D in Aeronautical Sciences from Stanford University in 1975, M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1969 and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India in 1968. Over a period of 35+ years, Professor Agarwal has worked in various areas of Computational Science and Engineering - Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computational Materials Science and Manufacturing, Computational Electromagnetics (CEM), and Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization. He has also worked in Nanotechnology and computational modeling of top-down Nanofabrication, in particular in nanoparticles properties, synthesis, and their applications in drug delivery and their health effects. For past ten years, he is also working in the area of clean and renewable energy; the topics include, wind energy, solar thermal energy, chemical looping combustion for carbon capture, geological sequestration of CO2, and fuel cell and battery modeling. He is the author and coauthor of over 460 publications. He has given many plenary, keynote and invited lectures at various national and international conferences worldwide. Professor Agarwal continues to serve on many academic, government, and industrial advisory committees. Dr. Agarwal is a Fellow sixteen societies including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), American Physical Society (APS), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Royal Aeronautical Society, Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CSAA), Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and American society for Engineering Education (ASEE). He has received many prestigious honors and national/international awards from various professional societies and organizations for his research contributions.

Director
Aerospace Research and Education Center
Washington University in St. Louis
USA

Director
Fluorotronics, Inc.
USA

Professor and Premier's Research Chair in Biomaterials & Transportation
University of Guelph
Canada

Dr. Tao Lowe is an Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at University of Tennessee. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor of Surgery, Bioengineering, and Materials Science and Engineering, and Co-Director of the Integrated Graduate Degree Molecular Toxicology Program at Pennsylvania State University. She received her Ph.D. with an Eximia Cum Laude from the University of Helsinki, Finland, and conducted two years’ postdoctoral research in the Chemical Engineering Department at University of Wisconsin, Madison. Dr. Lowe’s research is focused on biomaterials for translational research. Her research activities include design and development of multi‐functional biomaterials for targeted and sustained drug delivery, gene therapy, tissue engineering, and biosensoring for the diagnoses and treatments of neurological disorders in the brain, eye diseases, cancers, bone fractures, and cartilage damages, and as well as contraception. Dr. Lowe has published more than two dozen peer‐reviewed papers in the leading journals in the field of biomaterials science and bionanotechnology, and has given more than 150 presentations and 60 invited talks. She has received funding from NIH, DOD, Coulter Foundation, JDRF, FHI360/Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other government and private funding agencies. She has trained ca. 60 students, including PhD, MD, MD/PhD, PharmD, and PharmD/PhD. She is a peer reviewer for 36 refereed journals, and an editorial board member of 11 international journals. She has served on more than 60 grant review panel, and has chaired more than 40 sessions at international conferences.

Associate Professor
Biomedical Engineering
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
USA