Renewable Bioproducts Institute Executive Director Norman Marsolan has announced Meisha Shofner will serve as an associate director of the organization. She joins Chris Luettgen and Matthew Realff in that capacity.

Luettgen and Realff were appointed in fall 2014.

“It is critical for our Institute to have leadership both in the classroom and the lab, keeping our focus on the research areas that are rapidly becoming keys to solving the renewable challenges in our world, particularly in the pulp & paper industry,” Marsolan said. “Meisha joins Chris and Matthew as a well respected and highly qualified individual in her field, but like them, she has shown a capacity to look five, 10, 20 years ahead in research to where our priorities should be in meeting the challenges and opportunities that we face.”

Shofner is an Associate Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering.  

She will be responsible for successfully advancing work in new nanocellulose-based and hemicellulose-based materials and composites and in polymer and nanomaterials synthesis, characterization and measurement. Her research has been recognized with the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from Oak Ridge Associate Universities and the Solvay Advanced Polymers Young Faculty Award.

“I’m excited to take on this role and further explore possibilities for collaboration in building an innovation community in this rapidly progressing technical area,” Shofner said. “Emerging materials in this research space, such as nanocellulose, are already impacting products in many different application areas. Using them will require leveraging key technical strengths at Georgia Tech, including expertise in composites, electronic devices, packaging materials, and complex fluids."

Realff is an associate professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. His concentration involves sustainable processing of biomass into a spectrum of bio-based chemical products, as well as biofuels. Realff also serves as associate director of Strategic Energy Institute. He has current research projects in lignocellulosic pretreatment process innovation, carbon dioxide capture from flue gas streams sponsored by the DOE, and in bio-based chemical process design sponsored by NSF.

Luettgen is Professor of the Practice in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He plays a key role in developing the strategic plan with a particular focus on the pulp and paper industry. He has more than 20 years experience in the private sector in such areas as senior research, engineering management, product development and innovation as well as capital project management and manufacturing facility leadership.