Dr. Kalavathy Rajan

After completing her Doctorate in Food Science, at the University of Arkansas in 2015, Dr. Rajan did her Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Dept. of Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science, in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, until 2018. Dr. Rajan's doctoral research was focused on improving the enzymatic saccharification of agricultural residues for biofuels production, whereas her postdoctoral work was focused on chemical fractionation of bioactive compounds from forest products. She has also conducted extensive research in the isolation, chemical modification and development of lignin-based soft materials. Currently, as a Research Scientist at the Center for Renewable Carbon, in the University of Tennessee, Dr. Rajan's main passion is to develop lignocellulosic functional films and surfaces that could displace petrochemical-derived polymers. Her priorities are to develop sustainable, eco-friendly and feasible technologies that bridge the gaps in achieving a circular bioeconomy.