Speakers
 Dr. Martin PatelAssistant professor Utrecht University, Department of Science, Technology and Society (Netherlands) Dr. Patel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Science, Technology and Society at Utrecht University. Dr. Patel also co-ordinates the research cluster “Energy and Materials Demand and Efficiency” at Utrecht University. The cluster has its core expertise in the chemical sector and is known for its work on bio-based chemicals. Important projects co-ordinated by Dr. Patel are the “BREW study” on the biotechnological production of bulk chemicals, the PROBIP study which provides an overview of the most important types of bio-based plastics, the production processes, the material properties and their application and other Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies on bio-based polymers, conducted for companies and research institutions. |
 Dr Joseph Kurian Technology & Business Development Manager, Principal Scientist - Sorona® Polymer DuPont (USA) At DuPont Dr. Kurian has worked in a variety of roles including polymer and fiber research, new product development, process optimization, manufacturing and new business development. In 1995, he started research work in 3GT Sorona® project developing polymer grade 1,3-propanediol, polymerization technologies, various fiber technologies and applications know-how. He created and led the 3GT polymer team and then worked as the R&D Manager for the Sorona® and Cerenol® Polyol projects. He is an innovator with over 60 filed US patents and over 30 journal publications, including a book chapter on Sorona®. Joe has received several awards and recognition for his Sorona® polymer, process and renewably sourced materials work. |
 Dr. Cynthia FlaniganPlastics Technical Expert Materials & Nanotechnology Department Research and Advanced Engineering Ford Motor Company (USA) Dr. Cynthia Flanigan is currently the Technical Leader of Elastomeric Polymers in Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford Motor Company. She worked for nine years in the Plastics Research group within the Ford Research Laboratory. Her primary areas of research are in novel elastomers for automotive applications as well as biomaterials, including soy based polyurethane foams, and natural fiber reinforced thermoset composites. Cynthia led the technical development of soy-based polyurethane foam for automotive seating. This project has led to implementation on seven vehicle programs and several external awards including SPE Innovation Award, SAE Environmental Award and GPEC Environmental Award. She has managed grants from the United Soybean Board for the past six years in development of soy-based foams and soy protein reinforced plastics. In addition, she has led projects on instrument panel materials, and has managed the environmental materials that were showcased on the Model U concept vehicle in 2003. Cynthia received Materials Science and Engineering degrees from M.I.T. (B.S.) in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Northwestern University (Ph.D.) in Evanston, Illinois. |
 Patrick DiebelVP Advanced Technology Canadian General-Tower Ltd. (Canada) |
 Dr. Yushi MatsudaSenior Technical Specialist Technical Research Center Mazda Motor Company (Japan) Dr. Matsuda was born on Sep.16, 1962 in Tokyo. He earned a graduated degree in applied chemistry from Keio University and joined Mazda Motor Corporation in 1985. Working in the plastic research group of the Technical Research Center, he researched carbon fiber reinforced plastics from 1985 to 1990, in-situ composites of liquid crystalline polymer from 1991 to 1995. In 2005, he received a Doctor of Engineering degree in “Improvement of Toughness of Polypropylene” from Yamagata University. He is a project leader for the development of bioplastics for automobile applications since 2003. His team received the Grand Prize Cooperation Award for the Development and Production by Nikkan-kogyo-shinbun in 2006. |
 Dr. Hamdy KhalilGlobal Director of Research The Woodbridge Group (Canada) Dr. Khalil has pioneered the introduction and commercialization of renewable materials into polyurethane chemistry used for the manufacture of interior Automotive Parts which is now the bench mark for the industry. He chaired many international Polyurethane Conferences in North America and around the world. Dr. Khalil was appointed to the University Of Guelph as Adjunct Professor. He is a member of the Board Of Directors of The Ontario BioAuto Council and CRIBE. He is on the National Research Council’s steering Committee for Bio-Products Developments, as well as the Scientific Advisory Committee of FP-Innovation. Dr. Khalil has participated as an invited speaker in many conferences and workshops in Japan, North America, and Malaysia. |
 Prof. Ramani NarayanUniversity Distinguished Professor Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science Michigan State University (USA) Dr. Narayan has 125 refereed publications in leading journals to his credit, 21 issued patents, 7 pending published patents, edited three books and one expert dossier in the area of bio-based polymeric materials. His research encompasses design & engineering of sustainable, bio-based products, biodegradable plastics and polymers, biofiber reinforced composites, reactive extrusion polymerization and processing, studies in plastic end-of-life options like biodegradation and composting. His research involves developing carbon and environmental footprint of bio-based and biodegradable plastics and products using biocarbon content analysis (ASTM D6866) and LCA (life cycle assessment) methodology respectively. He has won several awards and is a successful entrepreneur having been responsible for commercializing several notable technologies. |
 Prof. Manju Misra Associate Professor School of Engineering University of Guelph (Canada) Dr. Manju Misra is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering and is cross appointed in the department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. She joined the university in January 2008 and brings to the position twenty years of research activity in the area of novel sustainable materials. Her current research is primarily focused on novel biobased composites/nanocomposite materials from agricultural and forestry resources for the sustainable bio-economy; and application of nanotechnology in materials uses. Her research is targeted at the development of bio-based and eco-friendly alternatives to the existing petroleum-based functional monomers, oligomers, polymers, fibers and other materials through the design and engineering of cellulosic natural fibers, bio-based polymers, blends, alloys, eco-friendly natural fiber composites/bio-composites and bio-based nanocomposites for various applications in building products, transportation, consumer goods, electronics and biomedicine. Dr. Misra has more than 250 publications including 125 peer reviewed journal publications, 9 book chapters, 10 US patents . She was an editor of the CRC Press volume, “Natural Fibers, Biopolymers and Biocomposites” (2005). She was also an editor of the American Scientific Publishers volume “Packaging Nanotechnology” (2009). She is one of the Associate Editors of the journal “Advanced Science Letters” and also is a member in the editorial board of: “Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy”. She is the current President of the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society (BEPS) 2009. |
 Prof. Mohini Sain Professor and Director, Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials University of Toronto (Canada) In addition his positions as Professor and Director, Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing in the faculty of Forestry, Dr. Sain is cross-appointed to the faculties of Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, and the Institute of Environmental Science at the University of Toronto. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Luleå University of Science and Technology, Division of Wood and Bionanocomposites and Adjunct Professor at the University of Guelph. Dr. Sain holds 12 patents, has authored 207 peer-reviewed publications as well as 7 books/chapters and has produced three spin-off companies. |
 Prof. Amar MohantyDirector, Bioproducts Discovery & Development Centre Professor & Ontario Premier’s Research Chair in Biomaterials & Transportation University of Guelph (Canada) Amar Mohanty is a Professor and holds Premier's Research Chair in Biomaterials and Transportation, and is the Director of the Bioproducts Discovery & Development Centre (BDDC), at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. His research interests are bio-based materials including natural fibre composites, bioplastics, green composites, nano-blends and green nanocomposites. Amar has authored and coauthored more than 350 publications including, 151 peer reviewed journal papers, 13 awarded US patents, 2 edited books, 3 text books, 7 book chapters and several conference publications/presentations. He was the holder of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, Germany. He was the recipient of Andrew Chase Forest Products Division Award from the Forest Products Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Dr. Mohanty serves as Editorial Board Member in the Journal of Polymers and Environment, Recent Patents on Material Science, International Journal of Plastics Technology and Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. He is the "Editor-in-Chief" of the Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy. Dr. Mohanty was the lead editor of the CRC book entitled “Natural Fibres, Biopolymers and Biocomposites” and American Scientific Publisher’s book entitled “Packaging Nanotechnology”. He is one of the Directors of the Forest Product Division, American Institute of Chemical Engineers and is the Vice-President (2009-10) of the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society. |
 Michael Carus Managing Director Nova Institute (Germany) Michael Carus is considered to be one of the leading experts and market researchers in Europe for agricultural resources, bioenergy and especially for the industrial material use of renewable resources like bio-based materials (bio-based plastics, natural fibre reinforced plastics, WPC and other innovative wooden materials) and industrial biotechnology/biorefinery. Michael Carus is management director of the nova-Institute for Ecology and Innovation and of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). |
 Martijn AntonisseMartijn Antonisse (1971) works as project leader in the Innovation Center of DSM, a Dutch multinational active in life sciences and material sciences. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Twente and has a professional career in the area of coating resins and fiber reinforced composites. |
 Professor Suresh S. NarineUniversity of Trent (Canada) Suresh S. Narine is a Professor in the Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry at Trent University and Director of the Trent Biomaterials Research Program. A Physicist and Food Scientist, Dr. Narine is considered a poineer in the utilization of agriculturally-derived lipids for synthesis of monomers, polymers, lubricants, specialty chemicals, waxes, nano-matrices, cosmetics and high value edible materials. |