Bioenergy and Biofuels
Biography
Supervising Faculty: Amit Naskar
Tony was born and raised in Mentor, Ohio, and like many young scientists, was inspired and encouraged by his high school chemistry teacher. He later attended the University of Toledo and earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. While an undergraduate, Tony developed an interest in bio-renewable and green chemistry while working with Dr. Mark Mason on the catalytic synthesis and characterization of biomass-derived furanic monomers as polymeric precursor molecules. Combined with a personal interest in sustainability, Tony has combined these passions in his current research interests into the utilization of lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock for the biofuel and chemical industries, with hopes to be a contributor to the alleviation of society’s current dependence on fossil fuels. He is currently working with Dr. Amit Naskar to develop high-performance, lignin-based thermoplastics and composites with hopes of replacing petroleum-derived plastics in the consumer goods, automotive, and building industries. Tony would like to utilize the flexible curriculum of the ESE Ph.D. program, in addition to the interdisciplinary and technology-driven research happening at the UTK Center for Renewable Carbon to pursue a career in science technology entrepreneurship, where he hopes he can be an integral part of the commercialization of new biorefinery technologies developed during his time at UTK. In his free time, Tony dabbles in graphic design, and enjoys reading, movies, traveling, and spending time with girlfriend Mal and his two dogs, Pepperoni and Rogue!
Research
- The University of Toledo School of Green Chemistry and Engineering
- What is a biorefinery?
- UTK Center for Renewable Carbon
- University of Toledo Student Green Fund
- Building Ohio’s Sustainable Energy Future
Awards and Recognitions
2013 - Cum Laude, Departmental & College Honors
2013 - Undergraduate Research Award – University of Toledo
2012 - NSF Scholar Award – American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute
2012 - Building Ohio’s Sustainable Energy Future Summer Research Fellowship – University of Toledo
2012 - James A. Poure/GAC Chemical Co. Scholarship – University of Toledo
2012 - Building Ohio’s Sustainable Energy Future Scholarship – University of Toledo
2012 - Student Manager & Co-founder – University of Toledo Student Green Fund – University of Toledo
2012 - Master of Ceremonies, Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Fraternity – University of Toledo
2011 - Charles A. Sullivan Honors Research Fellowship – University of Toledo
2011 - James A. Poure/GAC Chemical Co. Scholarship – University of Toledo
2011 - Building Ohio’s Sustainable Energy Future Scholarship – University of Toledo
2011 - President, Student American Chemical Society – University of Toledo
