Dr. Ana C. Alba-Rubio, assistant professor in the UToledo Department of Chemical Engineering, was named to the 2020 Class of Influential Researchers by the editors of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, a journal published by the American Chemical Society.
Alba-Rubio is one of 14 scientists and engineers from around the world recognized for being at the forefront of their field.
Alba-Rubio
“I feel very honored to be identified as a thought leader in chemical engineering whose work has been noteworthy, creative and significant, and it is a privilege to share this recognition with such a fantastic group of researchers in the field,” Alba-Rubio said. “I hope my research can inspire others to fight climate change, which might be the biggest challenge that our generation will face.”
A global team of editors and editorial advisory board members from the journal annually selects winners independently, without nominations or suggestions.
The 2020 Class of Influential Researchers, who are in the early stages of their careers, were chosen on the basis of the quality and impact of their work.
Alba-Rubio is pioneering a new method for industrial plants to approach environmental stewardship and fight pollution.
“One of the main goals of my group is to develop dual-function materials for efficient carbon dioxide capture and conversion,” Alba-Rubio said. “In addition, our lab seeks to produce fuels and chemicals from biomass, which is another strategy to close the carbon cycle.”
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research published a special issue showcasing papers of the honorees. In her article, “Dual-Function Materials for CO2 Capture and Conversion: A Review,” Alba-Rubio and students summarize previous global research efforts in the development of dual-function materials for the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide.
In 2019 Alba-Rubio received the National Science Foundation CAREER Award to work on dual-function materials for the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide into methanol and higher alcohols.
