My research areas are related to innovations in education, education for sustainable development, and sustainability of productivity in the manufacturing and logistics sector.
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Inventor Fellowship, Auburn University nominee, 2020.
Johnson & Johnson Scholars Award Program, Auburn University nominee, 2019.
Blavatnik National Award for Young Scientists, Auburn University nominee, 2019.
KINFA Young Investigator Award nominee, Cellulose and Renewable Division, American Chemical Society, 2018-2021.
Milstein award, Ministry of Science and Technology Argentina, 2015.
Post-doctoral Fellowship, Academy of Finland, 2014
Eemil Aaltonen Foundation award Finland, 2015.
Distinguished Citizen of the City of Laguna Paiva, mention granted by the Councilor Board and Major of the City of Laguna Paiva, Santa Fe – Argentina in recognition of the professional and academic achievements, 2009.
Make your decisions reflect your hopes and not your fears!
Anonymus.
Graduate Researchers
Carly Cummings
Ph.D. (S)
PhD Student in Forestry, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
Master in Education. General Science Education
Bachelor in Geology
Research Area
My research is on increasing environmental awareness in Alabama’s schools and communities through biomaterials science. My project will consist of developing free high-quality lesson materials for teachers within the state, hosting community events for the public, and promoting the Young Professionals in Training mentorship group. By combining these three things, it is my hope to provide equitable learning experiences that will support and enhance environmental education and sustainability.
I spent the last 18 years of my life competitively swimming. Now, as I venture outside of the pool, I enjoy painting, cooking, and baking!
Yufei Nan
Ph. D. (S)
PhD Student in Forestry, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
Master in Chemical Processing Engineering of Forest Products, School of forestry, Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University, China.
Bachelor in Biotechnology (Biomass energy) School of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, China.
Research Area
My research areas are related to the synthesis of nanocellulose-based composites, hydrogels, or aerogels for the removal of multiple water pollutants, like toxic dyes (methyl blue and methylene blue), heavy metal ions (cupper), and oil spills (soybean oils).
In my spare time, I usually go to the gym, read literary books, watch movies, and hang out with friends.
Sydney Brake
Ph.D. (S)
PhD Student in Forestry, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
Master of Forestry from Auburn University (2022)
B.S. Materials Science and Engineering from Auburn University (2020)
Research Area
My research focuses on fundamental interactions of sustainable materials and insecticidal compounds, as well as green textile processing methods for the development of functional, bio-based fibers with superior properties to those made from harmful, traditional plastics. The applications of this work include mosquito nets for defense against malaria infection, which are highly durable and made from renewable, biodegradable sources.
When I am not in the lab, I enjoy spending my time outdoors with my dog, watching movies, or listening to live music.
Javier Abraham Hernández Díaz
Ph.D (S)
PhD Student in Forestry, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
M.Sc. In Water and Energy Engineering. Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico), CUTONALA. Guadalajara University, University Center of Tonala.
B.Sc. In Land Surveying Engineering. Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico), CUCEI. Guadalajara University, University Center of Science and Engineering.
Research Area
My research is focused on forest products development and sustainable biomaterials. Strong engineering and statistical skills have sparked my interest in multidisciplinary research and work environments. I am passionate about researching the utilization of bio-based materials alongside nanotechnology to advance science surrounding sustainable, renewable materials and packaging products.
When I am not in the lab, I enjoy listening to music, going for long walks, and cooking in my kitchen.
All the blossom flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today
Indian proverb
Zahra Naghizadeh Mahani
Ph.D.
Research scholar, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, AL, USA 08/2021-present
Postdoctoral researcher, Department of Forestry and Wood Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa 04/2018-08/2021
Research scholar, Advanced structure and composite center, University of Maine, USA 01/2015 – 01/2016
Ph.D. in Natural Resources Engineering- Wood and Paper Industry and Science, University of Tehran.
M.Sc. in Natural Resources Engineering- Wood and Paper Industry, University of Tehran.
B.Sc. in Natural Resources Engineering- Wood and Paper Industry and Science- Wood Industry, University of Tehran
Research Area
My research focuses on developing and evaluating wood products, composites, nanocomposites, and hybrid sandwich materials, and advancing them as fundamental and sustainable components for construction application.
When I am not in the lab, I spend my time with my family. I like outdoor and travel activities, working out, cooking, and reading history books. I love writing poems as much as I love reading poems, especially ones written in Persian, my mother tongue.
Translation: No pain, No gain
Visiting Scholars
Adriana Restrepo Osorio
Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Engineering, New Materials from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Colombia
Textile Engineer.
Research Area
My research areas are related to biomaterials from natural raw materials, silk proteins, and natural fibers.
I like to dance and read, and I love traveling and spending time with my family.
Study hard what interests you most, in the most undisciplined, irreverent, and original manner possible.
Richard Feynman
Laura Vanessa Álvarez Marín
B.S.
B.S degree on Nanotechnology engineering of Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Medellin-Colombia)
Research Area
My research is focused on the development of composite materials with a specific focus on the use of nanocellulose as a reinforcement material in synthetic resin matrices for construction applications.
In my free time, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. You can often find me at the gym, going for a run or cycling through nature trails. I believe that a healthy lifestyle is essential to maintaining a strong work-life balance.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams
Eleanor Roosevelt
Diego Alejandro Cuartas Marulanda
B.S.
B.S degree on Nanotechnology engineering of Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Medellin-Colombia)
Research Area
I am a visiting research scientist working at the Sustainable Bio-Based Materials Lab at Auburn University’s School of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environmental Sciences, currently working on the project, Understanding the fundamental influence of wood extractives on wood adhesion.
I have worked as an assistant researcher in the UPB-Seedbed Materials Research Laboratory for Energy Storage. I contributed to projects focused on obtaining bacterial nanocellulose and synthesizing graphene oxides, as well as using advanced equipment to measure surface area and electrochemical properties of carbonaceous materials for supercapacitors. I have also been involved in research on silk fibroin at the UPB-Seedbed Research in Textiles, developing processes for obtaining silk fibroin and characterizing it using thermal and rheological techniques.
When not in the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends and engaging in fun activities such as playing video games, basketball, and soccer. In my downtime, I also love to relax and watch movies or a favorite TV series. I am also an art enthusiast and appreciate classical music and architecture. I have an adventurous spirit and am always eager to try new things, whether it is sampling exotic cuisine, exploring unfamiliar places, or immersing myself in different cultures. I am a traveler and relishes the opportunity to visit new cities and countries, expanding my worldview and learning from new experiences.
Jorge Amado Renteria Vera
Ph.D.
Ph.D. In Educational Sciences of the Universidad Nacional de La Plata (Argentina)
Magister in Educational Technology
Management and Productivity and Quality Engineer.
Research Area
My research areas are related to innovations in education, education for sustainable development, and sustainability of productivity in the manufacturing and logistics sector.
Second prize poster presentation, Forest Product Society (FPS), Virtual Conference. Maria Celeste Iglesias, 2020
Harry Murphy Dean’s Enhancement Fund For Excellence, SFWS, Auburn University. Diego Gomez-Maldonado, 2020
Drummond International Award. Outstanding International Graduate Student, SFWS, Auburn University. Maria Celeste Iglesias, 2020
First Place Poster Award: South Eastern Society of American Foresters, Annual Meeting, Diego Gomez Maldonado, 2019.
First Place Poster Competition: Auburn University Research Symposium, Maria Celeste Iglesias, 2019.
First Place Springer Poster Award: Division of Cellulose and Renewable Materials, 255th American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, Maria Celeste Iglesias, 2018.
Second Place Poster Award: School of Forestry and Wildlife Science, Auburn University Student Seminar Series, Simon Sanchez Diaz, 2018.
First Place Poster Award: School of Forestry and Wildlife Science, Auburn University Student Research Symposium, Diego Gómez Maldonado, 2018.
Undergraduate Research Scholarship: Auburn University, Marcus Willford “Effect of different chemical composition on nanocellulose properties”, 2017.
Supervisory and Evaluation Duties
Current graduate students under supervision:
Sydney Brake (Ph.D. Major Prof.)
Javier Hernandez Diaz (Ph.D. Major Prof.)
Yufei Nan (Ph.D. Major Prof.)
Carly Cummings (Ph.D. Major Prof.)
Navid Etebari Alamdari (Ph.D. Committee member AU)
Sadat Amit (Ph.D. Committee member AU)
Summia Rahman (Ph.D. Committee member AU).
Graduated students completed supervision
Sydney Brake (M.S. Maj. Prof.),
Maria Celeste Iglesias (Ph.D. Maj. Prof.)
Diego Gomez-Maldonado (Ph.D. Maj. Prof.)
Pruta Joshi (Ph.D. Committee Member AU)
Alejandro Cardozo (M.S. Committee Member AU)
Osei Asafu-Adjaye (Ph.D. Committee Member AU),
Laura Gomez Arias (Ph.D. Committee Member AU)
Maria Celeste Iglesias (M.S. Maj. Prof. AU)
Simon Sanchez Diaz (M.S. Maj. Prof. AU)
Marina Hornus (M.S. Committee Member AU)
Xinquan Cheng (Ph.D. Committee Member AU)
Mehul Barde (M.S. Committee member AU)
Diego Sanchez Osorio (Ph.D. Committee Member UPB, Colombia)
Emilia Vanska (Ph.D. Committee Member Aalto University, Finland)
Yuliet Cadavid Mora (M.S., Committee Member, UPB, Colombia)
