Principal Investigator
Dr. Ana Rita C. Morais has joined the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas in August 2021, as an Assistant Professor. She has received her Ph.D. in Sustainable Chemistry from NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal in 2018, where she focused on the development of sustainable solvent systems based on sub- and/or supercritical fluids for producing fuels and chemicals from biomass. Dr. Morais has developed a new ammonia-based technology for upgrading lignocellulosic biomass at Michigan State University and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), while working toward her doctorate degree. After completing her Ph.D., Dr. Morais was hired as a post-doctoral research associate to work on the determination of thermodynamic and transport properties of refrigerants with low global warming potential in lubricating oils, in collaboration with Chemours Company. In 2019, Dr. Morais joined National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in Colorado, to investigate the performance of a catalytic process for upgrading lignin from varying sources into valuable aromatic platform chemicals. In addition, Dr. Morais worked on a project under the BOTTLE U.S. Department of Energy Consortium aiming to recycle post-consumer plastics using an organocatalyzed process. Dr. Morais’ research interests focus on the use of supercritical and sub-critical fluids to modify media properties in ways that aid more effective catalytic processes or chemical separations. This is particularly important for addressing chemical conversion of complex substrates that pose transport phenomena challenges, including waste plastics and lignocellulosic biomass.
Currently, Dr. Morais serves as the Deputy-Director of the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering (WISE), and Thrust 1: Reclaim and Repurpose Co-Lead at EARTH Research Center.
Ana Rita C. Morais
Our Team
Summer 2023
Senior Researchers
Lakshmiprasad Gurrala
Research Associate
Dr. Lakshmiprasad Gurrala joined FEWLS research group as a Research Associate, in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas. He received a Ph.D. degree in Chemical Sciences from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (2018) and Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Pune, India. His doctoral studies included the development of heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidative conversion of hydrocarbons, and biomass-derived compounds to added value fine chemicals. Dr. Gurrala is highly proficient in a wide range of analytical tools, including those required for catalyst characterization, product determination and quantification. Before moving to KU, he worked as a project scientist for the catalytic transformation of industrial waste to value added chemicals via catalytic transformations at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), India. He was also an Institutional Post-doctoral at the same department with Dr. R. Vinu for three years. He worked on various challenges associated with the circular economy, including 1) the development of heterogeneous catalyst materials for different catalytic transformations of biomass, lignin and waste plastic to value-added products; and 2) pyrolysis techniques to generate bio-oils, and their upgrade to fuel blends, followed by subsequent energy evaluation. In addition to his Ph.D., Dr. Gurrala also holds an M.Sc. degree in Inorganic chemistry (2010) and B.Sc. degree (2008) from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India.
Researchers
Rafi Anowar
Assistant Researcher
Originally from Bangladesh, I have graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia. I have about three years of industrial experience in the sector of paint synthesis, water and wastewater treatment with specialization on polymer constituents and membrane technologies. My research interests lie in the domain of polymer and bioengineering. I have graduated from at KU with a MSc. degree in Chemical Engineering in the Fall 2024, under Dr. Morais supervision. Currently at FEWLS, my current research involves enzymatic deconstruction of PET plastics, aiming to develop microenvironments that will allow improved morphological control during the hydrolysis process toward the formation of monomers.
Students
Jared Bartlett
Ph.D. Student
I am a former undergraduate from the University of Kansas, graduating with a BSc. degree in chemical engineering. As an undergraduate, I participated in the FEWLS lab under the guidance of both Dr. Morais and Kinglsey, who helped me aspire for graduate school. I am now a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in chemical engineering with focus on catalysis. My current work aims to transform polyethylene into renewable fuels to help meet goals for a more sustainable future.
Siakpebru Odiri Kingsley
Ph.D. Student
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. I had worked as Process Quality Engineer for over ten years across the companies Baker Hughes, Exxon Mobil, Technip-Crestech Engineering, and Cakasa. I have worked on various engineering projects, such as fertilizer plant construction, gas pipeline construction, and subsea fabrication. My research interests encompass energy sustainability and catalysis, with a focus on the synthesis of biofuels and biochemicals from renewable resources such as biomass. I am currently working at FEWLS research group in understanding the mechanisms for the synthesis of standard jet fuel grade biofuels from biomass feedstocks.
Nick Gorschak
Ph.D. Student
I received my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown in 2023. While there I worked on several research projects related to sustainability. As part of the University of Kansas REU program, I worked with FEWLS on the catalytic synthesis of jet fuel from woody biomass. After completing my B.Sc., I decided to return to KU as a PhD student and continue working with FEWLS. Following my previous experience, my research interests lie in sustainable energy, materials, and catalysis. My current work with FEWLS is focused on utilizing CO2 to enhance hydrocracking of waste polyolefins into more valuable products.
Saufishan Akbar
Ph.D. Student
I am Saufishan Akbar, holding a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, India, and a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University, India. I have research experience in process modeling and simulation, with my recent work focusing on hydrogen production through biomass gasification. My research interests include sustainability, energy efficiency, and separation processes.
Misgana Assefa
Undergraduate Student
I am Misgana, a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering. I am working with Dr. Morais on sustainable catalytic conversion of single-use plastics for reuse or transformation into higher-value products. I enjoy listening to podcasts in my spare time.
Allison Tran
Undergraduate Student
I am a sophomore from Shawnee, KS, majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Kansas. I am working under Dr. Ana Morais on projects furthering sustainability, with a focus on the catalytic conversion of plastic waste into renewable fuels. Before joining FEWLS, I have conducted research under Dr. Alex Bertuccio, evaluating hydroponic systems for applications in sustainable agriculture and undergraduate Chemical Engineering curriculum. Outside of research, I enjoy being a violinist in the University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra (KUSO) and a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
Monte Asisian
Undergraduate Student
I am a freshman from Lawrence, Kansas, majoring in chemical engineering at the University of Kansas. I am currently conducting research at FEWLS, with a focus on catalysis. My goal is to synthesize biofuels, particularly sustainable aviation fuel, from lignocellulosic biomass. I enjoy playing and watching sports, specifically basketball, football, and soccer in my free time.