Gloria S. Oporto, Associate Professor, School of Natural Resources, West Virginia University
“Nanocellulose applications: Current research at West Virginia University”

Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Classroom 1221 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

• Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
• Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
• CFEs are available by request.
• Advanced registration is not required.
• Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 2 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract:  Currently in the Appalachian region there is a vast amount of low-value, low quality hardwood that can be potentially used as feedstock for novel bio-products. Only West Virginia generates 2.41 million dry tones of underutilized wood per year that represents a great source for nanocellulose production. Today the technology to separate and obtain wood polymers at nanoscale exists and it has been demonstrated with success; however, specific applications for these novel raw materials are still a challenge. At West Virginia University we have been developing the scientific and technological basis to utilize lignocellulosic sources as a novel templates for organic and inorganic chemical compounds and promote their utilization in applications related to the packaging, catalyst and medical/pharmaceutical fields.

Biography:  Dr. Gloria S. Oporto is a faculty member in the School of Natural Resources at West Virginia University (WVU). She completed her B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Concepción, Chile, and continued working at the University of Concepcion as a Research Engineer in areas that included wood chemistry, wood-based composites, and energy from woody biomass. She received her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Forest Resources and her certificate in Advanced Engineered Wood Composites from the University of Maine in December, 2009. Dr. Oporto has been working at WVU since June, 2010 and she was promoted to Associate Professor in 2016 in the Wood Science and Technology Program. Her main interests are focused in nanomaterials and its application in advanced composites, and biomaterials from lignocellulosic sources.