RBI presents a special joint seminar featuring Dr. Marco A. Fraga and Dr. Luiz E. Pizarro Borges, Monday, June 22 at 10 a.m. at ES&T, Room L1120.

Dr. Fraga is head of the Catalysis Division at the National Institute of Technology, Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation. His discussion will be entitled, "Green chemicals from hemicellulose: Direct conversion of xylose into furfuryl alcohol over heterogeneous catalysts."

Dr. Borges is Associate Professor at Instituto Militar de Engenharia in Brazil. His discussion will be entitled, "Energy solutions for small, isolated communities in the Amazon region."

Fraga has authored several peer-reviewed publications and 17 patents in the field of catalysis. In 2009, 2011 and 2013, he received the Petrobras Inventor Award for his work on catalytic transformation of biomass-derived compounds. His research interests are in heterogeneous catalysis, applied spectroscopy and synthesis and characterization of solid catalysts for both gas and liquid phase reactions.

Borges has authored several peer-reviewed publications and patents in the field of chemical process and catalysis. In 2009, he received the Petrobras Inventor Award for his work on dimethyl ether direct synthesis. His research interests are in chemical process, process scale-up, pyrolysis, gasification and heterogeneous catalysis for both gas and liquid phase reactions.

The event is being organized by Carsten Sievers, Assistant Professor, ChBE.