INFORM November/December 2025

with internships at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Bell Laboratories along the way. In 2006, I began my faculty career at the University of Delaware in Chemical Engineering. I was extremely fortunate to land in such a collaborative and innovative department with wonderful colleagues and students. Those collabora tive interactions launched my journey into waste valoriza tion, which began through several conversations that involved Richard Wool and Joseph Stanzione (a graduate student of Wool’s at the time), and Angela Holmberg (a graduate stu dent of mine at the time)—one of the first conversations was at a departmental picnic. Wool was fascinated by opportuni ties to use various waste streams as feedstock for materials, and particularly those with some degree of aromaticity. Lignin rich waste was ideal in this regard, as the waste was cheap, abundant, underutilized, and could be sourced from renew able feedstock. As a team, we were able to study lignin and its deconstruction products, and we became excited about lignin-derived phenolics as possible alternatives to styrenics, bisphenols, and other building blocks. We are still excited by these possibilities and continue the effort to this day. INFORM: Your work has had a substantial impact on the field of polymer science and renewable materials. Can you discuss one or two key projects that you believe have made the most difference? Epps: There are two aspects of our work in polymer science that I would like to highlight. The first effort is our work that culminated in the design, generation, and characterization of block copolymer materials from real biomass (raw poplar wood) for use as pressure-sen sitive adhesives (PSA). We were able to demonstrate that fun damental understanding of the structure features inherent to lignin-derived aromatics (i.e., the methoxy substituents) enabled the design of PSA that were competitive with com YOUR AOCS COMMUNITY Thomas H. Epps III

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ods that contribute to both human health and the sustainabil ity of our planet. INFORM: In your view, what are the most critical chal lenges in improving canola oil and protein preservation, and how is your research addressing these issues? Vafaei: One of the most critical challenges is the reliance on solvent-based extraction methods, which, while effective for oil recovery and producing healthy oil, can compromise pro tein functionality. If we want to fully use canola meal as a pro tein source for food and feed applications, we need alternative approaches that preserve quality and avoid solvent residues. Another challenge lies in maintaining the delicate balance between oil stability and protein integrity during processing. My research addresses these challenges by develop ing solvent-free extraction methods, such as supercritical CO₂ and expeller pressing, while also testing novel strat egies to enhance antioxidant retention and protein func tionality. This work aims to provide the food industry with scalable, sustainable solutions that maximize the value of canola while meeting nutritional, environmental, and eco nomic goals. INFORM: Do you have any advice for the next generation of scientists and professionals in this field? Vafaei: My advice would be to embrace interdisciplinarity and collaboration. The challenges in food and oil science—whether sustainability, health, or processing efficiency—cannot be solved in isolation. Work with colleagues across chemistry, engineering, environmental science, and policy to develop well-rounded solutions. Stay curious and open-minded; some of the most impact ful innovations arise at the intersections of disciplines. And remember, research impact extends beyond publications— strive to connect your work to industry needs, community benefits, and global priorities such as food security and envi ronmental sustainability. By doing so, you will ensure your con tributions make a meaningful and lasting difference. ACI/CFAA GLYERCINE INNOVATION AWARDEE Thomas H. Epps III is the Allan & Myra Ferguson Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Director of the Center for Research in Soft Matter & Polymers and Center for Hybrid, Active, & Responsive Materials, and Deputy Director, Center for Plastics Innovation at the University of Delaware in Newark. INFORM: Can you share your journey into the area of waste valorization for generating sustainable chemicals and polymeric materials? What inspired you to pursue this path? Epps: My journey into polymers began when I worked on poly mer films as a young student at NASA-Langley. I continued my polymer-related activities through undergraduate research in the Paula Hammond Lab at MIT and then moved to graduate research in the Frank Bates Lab at the University of Minnesota,