The Biomass to Biobased Chemicals and Materials GRS provides a unique forum for young doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present their work, discuss new methods, cutting edge ideas, and pre-published data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. Experienced mentors and trainee moderators will facilitate active participation in scientific discussion to allow all attendees to be engaged participants rather than spectators.
Distinct from the GRC, which highlights established leaders and mature advances in the field, the GRS program is designed as a peer-driven, interactive meeting over two days prior to the GRC. Participation in both the GRS and GRC provides attendees with a unique opportunity to engage in conversations spanning early-stage innovation through broader community and industry perspectives.
Under the theme “Global Perspectives on Sustainable Biomass Conversion: Connecting Perspectives to Strengthen the Bioeconomy" , the 2027 Biomass to Biobased Chemicals and Materials GRS will examine how different regional, economic, and scientific contexts shape approaches to biomass valorization and the development of sustainable biobased chemicals and materials. As the global bioeconomy continues to expand, researchers face shared scientific challenges but often operate under vastly different feedstock availability, infrastructure, policy landscapes, industrial priorities, and societal needs. This seminar aims to create a platform where these diverse perspectives can be contrasted, discussed, and integrated to identify emerging opportunities, critical knowledge gaps, and future directions for the field.
The program will focus on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches spanning molecular-level understanding to system-level implementation, with particular focus on how fundamental advances can translate into scalable technologies within different global contexts. Key discussion themes will include:
1. Context-Driven Design of Biorefineries, Chemicals, and Materials
Sustainable strategies for biomass conversion and utilization tailored to regional resources, infrastructure, economic realities, and application needs. Topics may include integrated biorefineries, biomass fractionation and conversion pathways, process optimization-intensification, sustainability assessment, circular material systems, and the development of scalable biomass-derived chemicals and materials for real-world applications.
2. Advancing Biomass Conversion Through Data, Characterization, and Modeling
Emerging analytical, computational, and data-driven approaches for understanding and controlling complex biomass systems, including advanced characterization, multiscale modeling, machine learning, reaction engineering, systems biology, and predictive process design.
We particularly encourage contributions that integrate multiple disciplines or perspectives and that address how biomass conversion technologies can be adapted to diverse global needs and sustainability goals.
The seminar will feature approximately 10 talks and 2 poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate in the GRS, either by giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. Therefore, all applications must include an abstract.
Gordon Research Seminars are 2-day meetings which take place on the Saturday and Sunday just prior to the start of the associated GRC. The GRS opens with a 1-hour introductory session on Saturday afternoon, followed by a poster session, dinner and a 2-hour session in the evening. Sunday morning begins with breakfast and is followed by another 2-hour session, a second poster session, and lunch. A final 1-hour session takes place just after lunch, and the associated GRC begins later that evening.
