Presentation Title: Redefining the Crystallinity and Size of Plant Cellulose Microfibrils

Brief Biography:
Paul Dupree is a Professor of Plant Cell Biology at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on the biosynthesis, structure, and degradation of plant cell wall polysaccharides, including cellulose, xylan, and glucomannan. Utilizing advanced techniques like solid-state NMR and mass spectrometry, he aims to understand cell wall assembly and improve wood-derived materials. He is also dedicated to applying this knowledge to enhance dietary fibers in food. Recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate for multiple consecutive years, Professor Dupree has received prestigious honors, including the Bruce-Stubbs Plant Polysaccharide Biochemistry Medal and an honorary doctorate from the University of Copenhagen.

Presentation Title: Design of “Inno-Co Plas Technology” for UP & UP Plastic Recycling

Brief Biography:
Tetsuo Kondo is a distinguished expert in bio-nanomaterial design, bio-alchemy, and polymer physical chemistry. Formerly a Professor at Kyushu University, he now serves as the Representative Director of KT Innovation Co., Ltd. His pioneering research centers on the hierarchical assembly of cellulose, including cellulose nanofibrils and bacterial cellulose. Dr. Kondo is highly regarded for his innovative work on aqueous counter-collision processes and the surface modification of cellulose nanomaterials to enhance hydrophobicity and thermal stability. His efforts have significantly advanced the development of high-performance, eco-friendly biopolymers and plant cell wall-mimicked frameworks for industrial applications.

Presentation Title: From Biomass Residues to Advanced Materials: Circular Pathways for Sustainable Value Creation

Brief Biography:
Orlando J. Rojas is a Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, as well as Director of the BioProducts Institute. An internationally recognized leader in renewable materials science, he received the prestigious Anselme Payen Award for his contributions to cellulose research. His multidisciplinary work focuses on bio-based colloids, nanocellulose, and interfacial phenomena for sustainable materials. Professor Rojas is an elected Fellow of the American Chemical Society and the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. Consistently ranked among the top 1% of global researchers by citations, he has authored over 600 peer-reviewed papers and holds numerous patents.

Presentation Title: Beta-irradiation (“e-beaming”) of celluloses - from Reaction Mechanisms to Cellulose Healing and Textile Recycling

Brief Biography:
Thomas Rosenau is a Professor of Wood, Pulp, and Fiber Chemistry at BOKU University in Vienna, Austria, where he heads the Division of Chemistry of Renewable Resources. His extensive research spans organic, green, and analytical chemistry, focusing on the structure, modification, and aging of biopolymers like cellulose and lignin. Professor Rosenau is a leading authority on cellulose degradation, yellowing mechanisms, and the development of novel functional biopolymers for biomedical and technical applications. Through his leadership in European research networks and his prolific publication record, he has profoundly shaped the modern understanding of polysaccharide chemistry and sustainable biomass utilization.

Presentation Title: Chiral Hierarchical Structures with Chitin

Brief Biography:
Silvia Vignolini is a Director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, where she founded the Department of Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials. A physicist by training, her research explores natural photonic structures and structural color. She investigates how biological systems assemble cellulose nanocrystals into chiral nematic architectures to manipulate light without pigments. Inspired by nature, her group develops sustainable, bio-based photonic pigments for cosmetics, textiles, and security labeling. Recently, she has expanded her focus to "Sym-Bionic Matter," embedding living organisms into materials. Her pioneering work bridges physics, chemistry, and biology to create eco-friendly functional materials.

Presentation Title: Functionalized Cellulose for Smart Dressings and Agrochemical Delivery

Brief Biography:
Huining Xiao is a Chair Professor at Nanjing Forestry University. He used to be a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and Professor at the University of New Brunswick. His research expertise lies in interface chemistry, functional nanomaterials, and pulp and paper engineering. Professor Xiao has developed novel retention aids, surface sizing agents, and bio-based flocculants to enhance industrial manufacturing efficiency and water treatment. Recently, his work has expanded into flexible electronics and energy storage, utilizing cellulose nanofibers to create conductive papers and supercapacitors. With hundreds of patents and publications, he is a key figure bridging fundamental interface science and large-scale industrial applications.