Biographical Sketch of Richard G. Blair

rgb_portraitProfessor Richard G. Blair

Researcher in Physics
Cluster for the Rational Design of Catalysts for Energy Applications and Propulsion
Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER)
Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles

Current Interests:
1. Energy efficient catalytic processing of biomass for fuels and chemical feedstock.
-mechanically induced catalysis
-co-products for lower fuel costs
-solid frustrated Lewis pairs for hydrogenation and CO2 capture
2. d10 metal fluorescent indicators for trace and presumptive identification of substances of abuse
3. Characterization and processing of biodiesel and biojet fuel
4. Alternative synthetic methods using ball mills in place of heating (mechanochemistry)

Appointments

2013 – present University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Researcher
Department of Physics
Cluster for the Rational Design of Catalysts for Energy Applications and Propulsion
2007 – 2013 University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Forensic Science
Department of Chemistry
2004 – 2007 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California
Materials and Device Technologies Group
Postdoctoral Scholar
2004 Eltron Research, Boulder, Colorado
Postdoctoral Scholar
1999 Advanced Micro Devices, Sunnyvale, California
Advanced Assembly Technician
1998 Lawrence Hall of Sciences, Science View, Berkeley, California
Programmer

Education

1999 – 2004 University of California, Los Angeles
Ph.D., Inorganic Chemistry (with Prof. Richard B. Kaner)
1995 – 1997 University of California, Berkeley
M.S., Physical Chemistry (with Prof. Bradley Moore)
1990 – 1994 Hope College, Holland, Michigan
B.S. – A.C.S., Chemistry
B.S., Mathematics

Honors and Awards

  • 2007 – NASA Certificate of Recognition for the creative development of a technical innovation
  • 2003 – Departmental Award for Distinguished Teaching – UCLA, Department of Chemistry
  • 2002 – Student Travel Award – Solid State Chemistry I, Gordon Research Conference
  • 2001 – Advancement to Candidacy Fellowship – UCLA
  • 2000 – Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Fellowship
  • 1993 – Pew Research Fellowship

Professional Societies

  • Pi Mu Epsilon, mathematics honor society
  • Sigma Xi, research honor society
  • Alpha Chi Sigma, chemistry fraternity
  • American Chemical Society