University of Tennessee names Governor’s Chair for Circular Biomaterials

Orlando J. Rojas has been named the University of Tennessee–Oak Ridge National Laboratory Governor’s Chair for Circular Biomaterials. An internationally recognized leader in sustainable materials science, Rojas will hold a joint appointment in the UT Institute of Agriculture and at ORNL beginning in late 2026.

The Governor’s Chair program aligns UT and ORNL investments to recruit world-class researchers and accelerate innovation in strategically important fields.

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute identified circular bioeconomy systems as a convergent research initiative in 2024. Backed by a $20 million five-year commitment, the initiative is designed to position Tennessee as a hub for advances in sustainable agriculture, forestry and manufacturing.

“This is exactly the kind of talent we are working to bring to UT and to Tennessee,” said UT Chancellor Donde Plowman. “Through UT-ORII and the Governor’s Chair program, we are strengthening our ability to recruit top faculty and build on the momentum of our broader research growth while also expanding the impact of the UT Institute of Agriculture.”

Transforming biomass into high-value materials

Rojas currently serves as Canada Excellence Research Chair at the University of British Columbia and director of the BioProducts Institute. His work centers on soft matter — materials such as gels, foams and biological tissues that are easily shaped or deformed. He focuses on biobased colloidal systems, where a dispersed phase (particles, droplets or bubbles) is distributed within a medium, and interfacial phenomena, which occur at the boundaries where different phases of matter meet.

Drawing inspiration from natural architectures and assembly processes, his research group develops biologically inspired materials with applications spanning sustainable manufacturing, environmental technologies, biomedical systems and energy storage.

His work contributes to the development of new technical textiles and biomedical materials such as implantable meshes. His research to engineer lignin and nanocellulose for charge generation and storage enables flexible biodegradable devices for self-powered sensing and electronics.

“We are working on solutions that address fundamental needs while enabling sustainable technologies,” Rojas said. “These efforts reflect a shift from using biomass as a passive resource to designing it as an active multifunctional system — ultimately contributing to improved quality of life.”

Creating real-world impact

“Our goal is to move from discovery to deployment, ensuring the materials we design can be integrated into real processes and products,” Rojas said. To that end, his research group will address practical challenges such as scalability, performance and compatibility with existing manufacturing platforms.

“Tennessee is rich in natural resources, including forestry and agriculture,” Rojas said. “We will create materials that can strengthen these sectors and expand opportunities for communities through innovation and business development.”

Rojas is consistently ranked among the world’s most highly cited researchers. His work has been recognized with major distinctions including fellowships in multiple international scientific academies and the Anselme Payen Award, an international award recognizing contributions to the science and chemical technology of cellulose and related products.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rojas to UT,” said Deb Crawford, vice chancellor for research, innovation, and economic development. “His work will build on our existing expertise in materials and will help us expand our leadership in circular bioeconomy systems. The partnership with ORNL multiplies the real-world impact of both institutions.”

Expanding Tennessee’s innovation ecosystem 

Rojas brings an international perspective to Tennessee, with active research networks connecting institutions, disciplines and innovation ecosystems that span Europe, Asia and the Americas. Before joining the University of British Columbia, he served as Finland Distinguished Professor at Aalto University and was named an inaugural Faculty Scholar at North Carolina State University.

“This is an important step forward for the UT Institute of Agriculture,” said Keith Carver, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of UTIA. “Dr. Rojas brings a unique ability to connect agricultural resources with advanced materials and manufacturing, helping position Tennessee at the forefront of innovation in the bioeconomy. His global leadership will help us attract top talent — from the U.S. and beyond — and connect with leading efforts worldwide.”

Rojas pointed out that science today is inherently global. “The opportunity here is to connect Tennessee’s strengths with international networks of expertise, accelerating innovation while training the next generation of scientists in a collaborative environment,” he said. “Ultimately, this is about people and ideas. We are creating environments where interdisciplinary thinking thrives, where we learn from nature, and where we translate knowledge into solutions that matter for Tennessee and for the world.”