Research Across Borders

A virtual conference to grow international collaboration

Program Speakers Sponsors Register today!

multiple hands collaborating with the american and brazilian flags in the background

The April 9, 2021 one-day event will emphasize opportunities to grow and develop new collaborations in research, faculty development and graduate student exchanges. The discussions will feature current advances in research, programming and service opportunities in the fields of Chemical Engineering and Kinesiology-Sport Sciences.

The planned sessions are aimed to facilitate networking for faculty and graduate students of both Universities and showcase achievements in research. These presentations will enhance collaboration in projects of mutual interest, with the hope of broadening the scope of interactions to include new programs, departments, schools and colleges within areas such as Business, Management, Liberal Arts, Sciences and more.

Research areas open for discussion

Chemical Engineering sessions will focus on process systems engineering, renewable energy, polymer processing, shale gas and biogas conversion to produce value-added fuels and chemicals.
Kinesiology-Sport Sciences sessions will focus on current research advances and efforts to promote healthy and inclusive sport and physical activity environments and application with coaches, athletes and exercisers.

Benefits of participation

Participation will promote networking and interactions with representatives for collaborative research, programming and service opportunities and broaden future exchange visits of faculty and students between the two Universities. Students will gain awareness of graduate research performed in both institutions and expand contacts for potential collaboration with researchers from a first-tier University in Brazil. Additionally, senior undergraduates will discover potential graduate school opportunities.

How to register

Participation is free but requires registration. There is a limited capacity of 250 attendees.

WVU students, faculty and administrators: Please contact Dr. Gonzalo Bravo at gonzalo.bravo@mail.wvu.edu
UFPR students, faculty and administrators: Please contact Prof. Dr. André Rodacki at rodacki@ufpr.br

Session 1: Introduction and Opportunities

Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m. (USA) – 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Brazil)

This session will welcome all participants and provide an overview of the existing collaboration while exploring new areas of opportunities between WVU and UFPR. After this session, a survey will be sent to participants to gauge areas of interest for collaborations between WVU and UFPR in fields such as Business, Management, Liberal Arts, Sciences and more.

Presenters

Dr. William Brunstein, Special Assistant to the President for Global Affairs – WVU
Dr. André Duarte, Director, Agency for International Affairs – UFPR
Dr. Fernando Mezzadri, Vice Rector of Planning and Budget – UFPR
Dr. Melanie Page, Associate VP for Creative and Scholarly Activities – WVU
Dr. David Stewart, Associate Provost for International Relations – WVU
Dr. Amber Brugnoli, Associate VP & Executive Director for Global Affairs – WVU

Hosts

Dr. Fernando V. Lima, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources – WVU
Dr. Gonzalo Bravo, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences – WVU

Session 2: Programs and Research

Time: 1:00-2:00pm (USA) – 2:00-3:00pm (Brazil)

This session will be led by the Deans and Chairs of the participating units at the representative institution. Presenters will provide overviews of specific programs within each University's college/school and highlight the main lines of research.

This session will be held in two separate rooms on Zoom.

Room 1: Engineering

Presenters

Dr. Pedro Mago, Dean, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources – WVU
Dr. Richard Turton, Chair, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering – WVU
Dr. Horacio Tertuliano Filho, Dean, School of Engineering and Architecture – UFPR
Dr. Luiz Fernando de Lima Luz Junior, Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering – UFPR

Room 2: Kinesiology–Sport Sciences

Presenters

Dr. Jack Watson, Dean, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences – WVU
Dr. Sam Zizzi, Associate Dean for Research, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences – WVU
Dr. André Rodacki, Professor and Director of the Motor Behavior Center – UFPR

Session 3: Workshops

Time: 2:10-4:10pm (USA) – 3:10-5:10pm (Brazil)

This session will be led by faculty and graduate students from both units. The sessions will include presentations on specific research projects currently housed in each unit.

This session will be held in two separate rooms on Zoom. Each program will have one hour to present their research.

Room 1: New Trends in Chemical Engineering Research

Time: 2:10-3:10pm (USA)- 3:10-4:10pm (Brazil)

WVU Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Presenters

Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Professor and George B. and Carolyn A. Berry Chair of Chemical Engineering - WVU
Graduate Students: San Dinh and Victor Alves – WVU

Time: 3:10-4:10pm (USA) - 4:10-5:10pm (Brazil)

UFPR Department of Chemical Engineering Presenters

Dr. Luiz Pereira Ramos, Professor, Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering – UFPR
Graduate Students: Estephanie Laura Escobar and Bruna Ricetti Margarida – UFPR

Room 2: New Trends in Kinesiology-Sport Sciences Research

Time: 2:10-3:10pm (USA) – 3:10-4:10pm (Brazil)

WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Presenters

Dr. Sam Zizzi, Endowed Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Co-Director of the Center for ActiveWV – WVU
Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Science – WVU

Time: 3:10-4:10pm (USA) – 4:10-5:10pm (Brazil)

UFPR School of Physical Education Presenters

Dr. Paulo Bento, Professor of Department of Physical Education – UFPR
Dr. Raul Osiecki, Professor of Department of Physical Education – UFPR
Dr. Natalia Boneti Moreira, Professor of Physical Therapy and member of the Graduate Program in the Department of Physical Education – UFPR
Dr. Silvia Pavão Rago, Professor of Prevention and Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy and member of the Graduate Program in the Department of Physical Education – UFPR

Session 4: Closing

Time: 4:20-5:00pm (USA) – 5:20-6:00pm (Brazil)

This session is open to all participants. It is intended to facilitate networking and answer questions from faculty at both Universities for those who are interested in becoming part of this collaboration.

Hosts

Dr. Fernando V. Lima, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources - WVU
Dr. Gonzalo Bravo, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences – WVU

Institutional Speakers

Universidade Federal do Parana

Dr. Fernando Mezzadri
Vice Rector, Planning, Budget and Finance, UFPR

Ph.D. in Physical Education at UNICAMP in Brazil and professor of Sport Policy in the Department of Physical Education and coordinator of the Sport Intelligence Institute. His research focuses on public sport policies and management.
Dr. André Duarte
Director, Agency for International Affairs, UFPR

Full-time professor in the Department of Philosophy and professor for the Graduate Programs in Philosophy and Education at UFPR; fellow-granted researcher at the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

West Virginia University

Dr. William Brustein
Special Assistant to the President for Global Affairs, WVU

Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Washington. He advises on global affairs issues and provides guidance on international enrollment efforts. He is a widely published scholar in the areas of political extremism and ethnic, religious and racial prejudice.
Dr. Melanie C. Page
Associate Vice President for Creative and Scholarly Activity and Professor in the Department of Psychology, WVU

Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology from Arizona State University. Her research focuses on health-related behaviors and programs including children and adolescents’ development and teaching, mentoring and scientific workforce development, especially of women.
Dr. David Stewart
Associate Provost for International Relations, WVU

D.Phil. in British Literature from the University of Oxford, England. Stewart has published articles on British Romanticism and higher education. He oversees international relations and international strategic planning.
Dr. Amber Brugnoli
Associate Vice President for Global Affairs, WVU

Ph.D. in Political Science and J.D. in Law from West Virginia University. She oversees the implementation of the University’s vision for comprehensive internationalization and serves as a member of the academic leadership team.

Engineering Speakers

Universidade Federal do Parana

Dr. Horacio Tertuliano Filho
Dean, School of Engineering and Architecture, UFPR

Master’s degree from Université de Bretagne Occidentale, France; Ph.D. in Telecommunication Systems from Université de Bordeaux, France; completed his Post Doctorate from Polytechnique Montréal, Canada; full professor in the Electrical Engineering Department. Expert in 4G/5G Transmission Systems design.
Dr. Luiz Fernando de Lima Luz Junior
Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering, UFPR

MSc. and D.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from UNICAMP, Brazil; completed a Post Doctorate at IPE-Heriot Watt University, Scotland. His research interests include modeling and simulation of chemical processes, biofuel production, techno-economic analysis of processes, nano-remediation and injection of CO2 saturated and nanoparticles solutions in carbonate rocks.
Dr. Luiz Pereira Ramos
Professor of Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering

Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa, Canada. His research activities and interests are in areas involving wood and carbohydrate chemistry, advanced biofuels, heterogeneous catalysis and other topics related to sustainable biorefineries. The title of his presentation is: Biomass refinery: Biofuels, platform chemicals and bio-based materials from lignocellulose.
Estephanie Laura Escobar
Graduate Student

Estephanie Laura Escobar is completing her Master’s degree at the Federal University of Parana, Brazil; recently awarded a Fulbright scholarship for her Ph.D. Her research interests are green solvent utilization for biomass fractionation. The title of her presentation is: Combining green solvents for efficient biomass fractionation.
Bruna Ricetti Margarida
Graduate Student

Bruna Ricetti Margarida is a Ph.D. student at the Federal University of Parana, Brazil. Her research focus is on biofuel production, simulation and reaction kinetics study. The title of her presentation is: Esterification of fatty acids analysis using different water concentrations: simulation and economic evaluation of biodiesel production from waste oil.

WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Dr. Pedro Mago
Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

His research focus includes energy systems, thermal system design and optimization and waste heat recover technologies.
Dr. Richard Turton
Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and Russell and Ruth Bolton Professorship for Outstanding Teaching

His research focuses on energy technology, process systems engineering, particle technology and design education.
Dr. Rakesh Gupta
Berry Chair Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

His research focuses on polymer processing, polymer composites, polymer and polymer composites recycling, food processing.
Dr. Fernando V. Lima
Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and Chair of the WVU Brazil Steering Committee

His research focuses on process systems engineering (process design, simulation, optimization, advanced control) with applications to energy systems and sustainable processes.
San Dinh
Graduate Student

San Dinh is a Graduate Ph.D. Student in the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department at West Virginia University. His research interests are stochastic modeling and integrated design and control of high-dimensional energy systems under uncertainty. The title of his presentation is: Dynamic Discrepancy Reduced-Order Modeling for a Fischer-Tropsch Slurry Bubble Column Reactor.
Victor Alves
Graduate Student

Victor Alves is a Graduate Ph.D. Student in the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department at West Virginia University. His research interests are process modeling and control and linking process operability algorithms with supervised machine learning. The title of his presentation is: A Gaussian Processes–based Operability Approach for Energy Systems.

Kinesiology and Sport Sciences Speakers

Universidade Federal do Parana

Dr. André Rodacki
Professor and Director of the Motor Behavior Center, UFPR

MSc. in Biodynamics from the University of São Paulo, Brazil; Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. His research interests include biomechanical aspects of sports performance, ergonomics, physical activity and falls in older adults and amputees.
Dr. Paulo Bento
Professor, Department of Physical Education

MSc. in Ergonomics from the University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Ph.D. in Physical Education from the Federal University of Paraná. His research focuses on the analysis of the effects of physical activity, physical exercise and sports and physiologic and cognitive aspects of aging.
Dr. Raul Osiecki
Professor, Department of Physical Education

MSc. and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Santa Maria, Brazil. His research interests include exercise physiology in sports and physical activity in special health conditions.
Dr. Natalia Boneti Moreira
Professor of Physical Therapy and member of the Graduate Program in the Department of Physical Education

MSc. and Ph.D. in Physical Education from the Federal University of Parana. Her research interests include physical activity, neglected chronic diseases and functional health in adults and older adults.
Dr. Silvia Pavão Rago
Professor of Prevention and Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy and member of the Graduate Program in the Department of Physical Education

MSc. and Ph.D. in Physical Therapy from the São Carlos Federal University, Brazil. Fellowship at Vrije Universiteit University in the Netherlands and a Post Doc in Motor Control at São Carlos Federal University, Brazil.

WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences

Dr. Jack Watson
Dean and Professor in Sport and Exercise Psychology, WVU CPASS

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Florida State University. His research focuses on professional issues in sport psychology: ethics, supervision, mentoring and issues associated with applied sport psychology.
Dr. Sam Zizzi
Dr. Pat Fehl Endowed Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Co-Director, Center for ActiveWV

Ed.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology with a minor in Counseling, WVU. His research focuses on community-based physical activity promotion, health behavior change and mindfulness in sport psychology.
Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach
Director, Center for Applied Coaching and Sport Science, and Associate Professor in Coaching and Performance Science

Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research focuses on professionalism and ethics in coaching and athlete talent development.
Dr. Gonzalo Bravo
Director, WVU Russell (Bud) Bolton Center for Sports Ethics, and Associate Professor in Sport Management

Ph.D. in Sport Management from Ohio State University. His research focuses on organizational theory as applied to sport, policy and governance of sport and the socio-cultural aspects of sport.