Resume
Updated December 2020
Dr. Richard Venditti
Elis-Signe Olsson Professor
Forest Biomaterials
North Carolina State University
Tel. 919-515-6185
Dr. Richard Venditti is a Professor in the Department of Forest Biomaterials at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Venditti’s research group has as a goal to develop and characterize systems for the effective utilization of renewable resources to produce sustainable products, including paper products, polymeric materials and biofuels. He utilizes process simulation, financial and environmental life cycle analysis methods in conjunction with laboratory bench and pilot scale research. Venditti has taught Introduction to Pulp and Paper Technology, Chemical Process Control, Unit Operations of Pulp and Paper, and Life Cycle Analysis. Venditti is the director of the Hands-on Workshop for Pulp and Paper Basics, co-sponsored by NCSU and TAPPI. Dr. Venditti is a Fellow of the Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industries. In 2009 he was recognized with a Fulbright Senior Specialist Fellowship in Environmental Science. He was awarded the Investigator of the Year Award by the American Forest and Paper Association in 2000 for research involving old corrugated container processing. He received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 1994 at Princeton University and B.S. in 1988 in Paper Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering at NCSU.
1. Education background:
PhD. 1994, Chemical Engineering, Princeton University, NJ
B.S., 1988. Chemical Engineering, NCSU, NC
B.S., 1988. Pulp and Paper Science and Technology, NCSU, NC
2. Professional experience:
Interim Associate Dean of Research, College of Natural Resources, February 2020-January 2021
Elis-Signe Olsson Professorship in Pulp and Paper Science and Technology, January 2018-
Visiting Faculty, January-February 2017, Polymer Chemistry and Eng., University Jean Monet, France Sabbatical leave, January 2011-July 2011, Duke University, Center on Global Change
Professor, July 2009-present, NCSU, Forest Biomaterials, NC
Honorary Faculty of University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, 2010-
Director of Graduate Programs, July 2005-December 2010, NCSU, Wood and Paper Science, NC
Associate Department Head, July 2004-June 2005, NCSU, Wood and Paper Science, NC
Associate Professor, July 1999-June 2009, NCSU, Wood and Paper Science, NC
Assistant Professor, May 1994-June 1999, NCSU, Wood and Paper Science, NC
Instructor, May 1993-April 1994, NCSU, Wood and Paper Science, NC
3. Scholarly and creative activities (1991-present):
Has published approximately 180 refereed journal articles. These have been cited over 7000 times.
Has presented over 125 scientific talks at technical conferences.
Holds two patents and currently has two active patent applications.
Tethis is a start-up company established in 2013 based on one of the patents. Tethis manufactures carbohydrate based superabsorbants and charge modified starches for industrial applications.
4. Membership in professional organizations:
Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), Member, 1984-present
American Chemical Society, Member, 2001-present
American Center for Life Cycle Assessment, Member 2012-
American Institute for Chemical Engineers, 2010-
Forest Products Society, Member 2011-
5. Scholarly and professional honors:
Elis Signe Olsson Professorship, 2018
TAPPI Fellow, 2012
Advocacy Award, Association for the Concerns of African American Graduate Students, 2010
Fulbright Senior Specialist, Environmental Studies, South Africa, 2009
Best Paper Award, Hard to Remove Water, TAPPI Conference, 2007
College of Natural Resources Outstanding Advisor Award, Wood and Paper Science, 2002 and 2004
International Advisory Board of Progress in Paper Recycling, 2002
Wayne Carr Best Paper Award, 2002 TAPPI Fall Technical Conf., Fiber Recycling Committee, 2002
Investigator of the Year Award, AF&PA, Containerboard Group Technical Division, 2000
6. Professional service on campus:
Member, University Faculty Scholar Committee, CNR, 2020
Interim Associate Dean of Research, CNR, 2020
Head, Post Tenure Committee, FB Department, 2020
Member, Promotion and Tenure Committee, CNR, 2018-2019
Member, Wood Products Extension Faculty Search Committee, 2017
Member, Search Committee, CNR Interdisciplinary Faculty, 2016
Head, Faculty Search Committee, FB Department, 2015, 2017
Head, Post Tenure Committee, FB Department, 2015
Member, Space Committee, CNR, 2015-
Member, Space Committee, FB Department, 2015-
Member, Promotion and Tenure Committee, CNR, 2010-2014
Member, Graduate Studies Committee, FB, 2010-
Member, Undergraduate University Research Symposium Committee, NCSU, 1994-
Member, Senate Hearing Committee, 2009-2010
Member, Search Committee, WPS Development Officer, 2008
Administrative Board of the Graduate School, CNR Representative, Spring 2008-Fall 2010.
Head of the Graduate Studies Committee of CNR, 2007-Fall 2010
Director of Graduate Programs, July 2005-December 2010, NCSU, Wood and Paper Science, NC
7. Professional service off campus:
Technical Advisory Board, Tethis, 2013-
Honorary Faculty of University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, 2010-present
International Advisory Board of Progress in Paper Recycling, 2002-present
Reviewer, USDA NRICGP, 1996-present
Volunteer, High school science classroom visits, 2002-present
Session Chairman, ACS Conferences and TAPPI Conferences
Director, Hands-on Workshop for Pulp and Paper Basics, TAPPI/NCSU, 1996-present
8. Courses taught
PSE 475 Process Control in Pulp and Paper (2 hrs), 1993-present
PSE 475L Process Control Laboratory (1 hr), 1993- present
PSE 476/WPS 576 Environmental Life Cycle Analysis (3 hrs), 2012-2017
PSE 465 Advanced Tools for Process Engineering (3 hrs), 2015
PSE 355 Unit Operations of Pulp and Paper, 1993-2011, 2018-present
9. Research grants
Currently a principal investigator in several research grants with collaborators. This includes being the lead PI in a grant from the USDA-NIFA program ($2.75 million for a training program in the bioeconomy); Cotton Inc. and partners ($340,000 support for the study of the generation of microparticles in laundering and their aquatic biodegradation); The Alliance for Pulp and Paper Technology Innovation ($140,000); the Non-Wovens Institute ($120,000); and the Environmental Research & Education Foundation ($180,000). Also currently a Co-PI on several environmental LCA projects.