Abu-Omar

Abu-Omar is a Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, leading a research group focused on sustainable chemistry and chemical engineering. His work addresses the global plastics waste crisis by designing catalysts for recycling petrochemical-derived polymers into renewable materials. Key areas include polyurethane and polyolefin upcycling, lignin valorization, and eco-friendly epoxy thermosets. He has pioneered methods like acidolysis for polyurethane recycling and developed catalyst systems for converting biomass into high-value chemicals.

Research interests emphasize molecular-scale catalyst mechanisms and collaborative interdisciplinary projects. Students and postdocs in his group are encouraged to innovate in areas like catalytic depolymerization, hydrocarbon synthesis, and sustainable material design. His group has achieved notable breakthroughs in creating recyclable polymers with exceptional thermal properties and flame retardancy.

• Awards: 2022 ACS Award for Affordable Green Chemistry
• Advising: Mentored PhD student Dr. Danny Zeng and supervised Jack Hopper (Outstanding Service Award recipient) and Melissa Sanchez (DeWolfe Fellowship recipient).
• Key Technologies: Polyurethane chemical recycling, polycarbonate vitrimers, lignin-based epoxides, and biomass-derived surfactants.

Publications highlight advancements in depolymerization kinetics, Pt-catalyzed hydrodeoxygenation, and integrated processes for chemical upcycling. His work bridges fundamental catalysis with industrial applications, aiming to create circular economies for plastics and biomass resources.