James Sheehan

James Sheehan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at The University of Alabama, College of Engineering. He is affiliated with the Polymers and Soft Materials Research Center, where he leads research in sustainable chemical processes and bio-based materials.

He received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in 2014 and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 2019.

His research focuses on advancing circular and bio-based chemical economies through interfacial engineering, supercritical fluid processing, and chemical upcycling of waste polymers. Key areas include biodegradable polymers, lignin-first biorefining, and sustainable packaging materials. His group investigates transport phenomena and chemical kinetics in bio-derived systems.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in valorizing lignin using green solvents and catalytic methods, particularly through glycerol-derived systems and organosolv extraction. These works fall within sustainable chemistry, polymer science, and biomass conversion, emphasizing environmentally benign routes to high-value chemicals.

• ACS PRF Doctoral New Investigator 2023
• Early Career Board, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (2023–2024)
• RSC Advances Outstanding Peer Reviewer (2022, 2023)
• Leadership Board Director, Forest Bioproducts Division, AIChE (2023–2026)

Dr. Sheehan’s research is supported by NSF-funded programs, including a summer research experience initiative for students and educators. He leads the Sheehan Research Group, which focuses on critical chemistries for a sustainable future, with ongoing projects in biocomposites, interfacial phenomena, and waste plastic upcycling.

The Sheehan Lab is actively engaged in developing engineered bio-composites and sustainable materials, aiming to transform waste and bio-feedstocks into value-added products. The lab emphasizes fundamental understanding of interfacial and transport phenomena to enable scalable green technologies.