4 Minutes with…Alexandre T. Barbosa, R&D and Consultant engineer, IVIG / COPPE / UFRJ

Tell us about your company and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.  

IVIG is an institute of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and its mission is: Training and development of human resources to act mainly in the areas of science and technology, infrastructure, energy and environment, developing projects, methodologies, tools, assessment and management systems applied in public and private areas.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months?

Studying Biofuels and Bioproducts from babassu coconut and develop an Information system based on:
– Digital mapping
– Data Centric format
– Interoperability between systems and disciplines
– Knowledge in engineering
– Optimization

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?
Programs similar as energy4all created by UN

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change?
I would like to create an eco tax for fossil fuel producers to make a subsidy for the Bioeconomy develop

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you?
Future

Where are you from?
Rio de Janeiro – Brasil

What was your undergraduate major in college, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway?
MSc Chemical Engineering at UFRJ – A reference in green chemistry in Brasil

Who do you consider your mentors? What have you learned from them?
Knowledge and life experience

What’s the biggest lesson you ever learned during a period of adversity?
Work out on every things that concern your goals ever!!!

What hobbies do you pursue, away from your work in the industry?
Travel

What are 3 books you’d want to have with you, if you were stranded on a desert island.
A blank note book and a (lot of) pencils.

What books or articles (excluding The Digest) are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?
Laser scann (also LIDAR) data, GIS, and biomass development technologies

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?
Paris and Trancoso.