Alcides Lopes Leao

Graduated in Agronomic Engineering from Sao Paulo State University - UNESP (1981), Master's in Agronomy (Energy in Agriculture) from UNESP (1987) and PhD. in Forestry - University of Wisconsin - Madison (1993). Post-Doctorate in 1995 at USDA-FPL (Forest Products Laboratory) University of Wisconsin - Madison, USA. He was a national consultant for SEBRAE - Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises in the areas of Environment, Waste and Natural Fibers. He is a Full Professor at the Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology in the field of Circular Economy. He has been a Professor at UNESP since 1985. He has experience in the areas of Bioenergy and Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, with an emphasis on Non-Metallic Materials. It has been working mainly on the following topics: environmental management, composites, natural fibers, recycling, biomass energy and management of industrial, agricultural and municipal solid waste (MSW). It is FAO Escorena's representative for South America. It is especially dedicated to the production of composites based on natural polymers and the recycling of solid waste from various sources. Developed several processes and products in the area of composites in partnerships with private companies in the production of new materials and recycling of waste and plastics. He is the coordinator of RESIDUALL - Laboratory of Solid and Composite Residues, with various equipment on a pilot scale in the production of composite materials. He was coordinator of the Environmental Management Program of SEBRAE in the State of São Paulo, carrying out environmental audits in SME's. Co-founder of the NGO INFO - International Natural Fibers Organization, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He was indicated by the Brazilian government as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Common Fund for Commodities, based in Amsterdam, an entity linked to the United Nations as a funding body for commodity projects from 2012 to 2016. In 2013 he was elected Chairman of the Consultative Committee for the biennium 2013 /2014, position for the first time occupied by a Brazilian. Elected in November 2013 Chairman of Sub-Group Sisal and Hard Fibers at FAO, for the biennium 2014 and 2015. International consultant in several countries such as Mozambique, El Salvador, Colombia, Philippines, Malaysia, etc. He is currently co-editor of the Journal of Natural Fibers and a member of the Journal's Editorial Board, Polymers (MDPI).Visiting Professor at QUT - Queensland University of Technology, Australia, from 2019 to 2023. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)