Biographical Sketch of Richard G. Blair

Richard G. Blair

Research Professor at the Florida Space Institute

Cluster for the Rational Design of Catalysts for Energy Applications and Propulsion
Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER)

Courtesy appointments in Physics and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Ph.D., Materials Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles

Current Interests:

Catalysis enabling sustainable flight through the decomposition of NH₃ into N₂ and H₂
Boron-based heterogeneous catalysts with high activity due to the presence of defects.
1. CO₂ reduction, photocatalytic hydrogen production, dehydroaromatization, and reverse Haber-Bosch
2. Measuring and improving reaction kinetics through catalyst preparation and immobilization.
In situ impact analysis during mechanochemical syntheses
IOT laboratory control and monitoring.

2016-Present	University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida Research Professor Florida Space Institute Cluster for the Rational Design of Catalysts for Energy Applications and Propulsion
2013 – 2015	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

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

2023 – Fellow, National Academy of Inventors
2022 – NSF CGCA Fellow
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