Chemistry Meeting

Roberto Ballini is a Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Camerino (Italy) and Past President of the Italian Organic Chemistry Division. Roberto Ballini received his Laurea degree in Chemistry from the University of Camerino-Italy in 1971. After experience at the ENI-ANIC (Petrolchemical Industry) in Ravenna, he began his academic career in 1975 as a Research fellow at the University of Camerino. Then he became Assistant Professor in Organic Chemistry (1978), was promoted to Associate Professor (Organic Chemistry), and then was promoted to Full Professor of Organic Chemistry in 2000. Prof Ballini has been the Director of Master in Chemistry (2001-2007), Head of the Department of Chemical Sciences of the University of Camerino(2007), Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Camerino (2007- 2009) and the Director of School of Science and Technology (2009-2013). The scientific activity of Prof. Ballini in mainly dedicated to Organic Synthesis, with particular attention to the field of eco-sustainable synthetic processes (Green Chemistry). To reach the goal of environmental protection, the right approach is to focus attention on primary prevention (minimizing or avoiding waste formation) rather than on secondary remediation (mainly consisting in waste treatment).In this context the Ballini’s research group has developed a variety of collaboration with other Universities and Research centers (National: Rome, Bologna, Venezia, Urbino, Parma, Perugia, Chieti, and International: Dallas-Texas, Badajoz-Spain, Sevilla-Spain, Nijmegen-Netherland, etc.).

Of particular interest is the Chemistry of aliphatic nitro compound that, thanks to their highly chemical versatility, can be easily employed for eco-friendly procedures for new generations of C,C single and double bond, for the cleavage of C,C bond, as key building blocks in the synthesis of important “fine chemical”, natural products featuring enhanced biologically activity, pharmaceuticals, high density energetic materials, etc. Other special fields of extensive interest also concern: (i) Studies of new heterogeneous catalysis, and new use of solid catalysis, applied to fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals production; (ii) Exploitation of Solvent-free processes; (iii) One-pot processes for the synthesis of “fine chemical”; (iv) Use of alternative, eco-friendly solvents in organic synthesis; The scientific activities have been evidenced by: 1) more than 250 Publications (with an “H-FACTOR” = 42) on the main scientific Journals; 2) more than 20 Reviews, several of these are on the field of the Green Chemistry (heterogeneous catalyst, one-pot processes, usage of eco-friendly solvents, solvent-free processes); 3) Editor of the Green Chemistry Book: “Eco-Friendly Processes and Procedures for the Synthesis of Fine Chemicals”(of Green Chemistry Series) by Royal Chemical Society, Cambridge 2009; 4) Author of 4 Book chapter on the field of “Green Chemistry for Environmental Sustainability”.

Takashiro AKITSU, PhD is a full Professor for the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Division II at Tokyo University of Science. He completed his under graduate school training (chemistry) from Osaka University, Japan and his graduate school training (physical & inorganic chemistry, especially coordination, crystal and bioinorganic chemistry) from Osaka University (Ph.D. 2000). After Keio University and Stanford university, He moved to the current affiliation since 2008. Dr. Akitsu has published up to about 180 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has had posters presented at international level. He has been a peer reviewer of many journals and acted an organizing committee of several international conferences.

His main research of interests are absorption of light by chiral metal complexes and their hybrid materials

Ana M. Martins got her PhD and Habilitation in Chemistry at Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, where she heads a research group in Organometallic Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis since 1993. Her research aims primarily at the understanding of structure/reactivity patterns with emphasis on atom-economy catalytic processes. She published more than 80 publications in high impact International Chemistry Journals. She participated in several University Management actions and is a delegate of the Directive Board of EUCHEMS - Division of Inorganic Chemistry.

Her research interests aims primarily at the understanding of structure/reactivity patterns with emphasis on atom-economy catalytic processes.

Mat Uzir Wahit graduated in Polymer Technology from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1994. He obtained his MSc in Polymer Composites in 1999 from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Prior to his appointment as a lecturer at Polymer Engineering Department, UTM in 1999, he was a process engineer at Philips Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd, Senai, Johor from 1994 to 1997. In 2001, he received a fellowship from the Government of Japan to embark on a study tour in Japan for four months. In 2006, he received his PhD degree in Polymer Nanocomposites from Universiti Sains Malaysia. He has been awarded a Post-Doctorate Merit Scholarship by Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, KSA and undertook post-doctoral study at MONASH University, Australia (Dec 2008-May 2009) Currently, he is appointed as a Professor in polymer engineering and science at UTM. Mat Uzir’s research interests pertain to advanced materials, natural fibre composite materials, rubber-toughened polymers, polymer nanocomposites and biomaterials including biodegradable polymers and shape memory polymer. Mat Uzir is a lecturer in the subjects of material science, polymer properties and polymer composites. He is also an organizer and a participant in a number of short courses and seminars and has published more than 100 research papers and conference proceedings on rubber toughened polymer, polymer blends, polymer nanocomposites, cellulose and biomaterials. He is a member of Plastics and Rubber Institute of Malaysia (PRIM) and holds the post of secretary for PRIM-southern section since 2002.

Natural fiber composite materials, rubber-toughened polymers, polymer nano composites and polymer for biomedical application