Manuel Garcia-Pérez

Dr. Manuel Garcia-Pérez serves as Professor and Chair of the Biological Systems Engineering Department at Washington State University's College of Engineering. His research focuses on Bioenergy and Bioproducts Engineering, addressing environmental challenges associated with declining petroleum resources through innovative biomass conversion technologies.

Dr. Garcia-Pérez earned his educational degrees from the University of Orient in Santiago de Cuba (B.E. and M.Eng.) and Universite Laval in Quebec, Canada (M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering). He completed postdoctoral positions at Monash University in Australia and the University of Georgia before joining Washington State University in 2007 as Assistant Professor, advancing to Associate Professor in 2013 and Professor and Chair thereafter.

His research program specializes in thermochemical conversion processes that transform biomass waste into valuable products. Key focus areas include:

• Development of novel analytical approaches to characterize complex bio-oils
• Understanding cellulose and lignin pyrolysis mechanisms
• Designing selective pyrolysis reactors and bio-refinery concepts
• Creating platforms for converting bio-oils into biofuels and biochemicals

His work targets characterization approaches emphasizing chemical groups or fractions rather than individual compounds, enabling rational design of new refineries. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent focus on biomass pyrolysis optimization, bio-oil characterization techniques, and development of practical conversion technologies for sustainable fuel production.

Dr. Garcia-Pérez was elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences, recognized for "his leadership in sustainable agriculture systems and bio-energy research. His creative research advances our understanding of complex thermochemical reactions so that they can be controlled to obtain green products—such as bio-oils, biochar, and sustainable aviation fuel—to combat global warming and provide environmental services."

As an educator, Dr. Garcia-Pérez emphasizes integrating thermal, biological, chemical and mechanical conversion approaches in teaching. He holds a patent titled "Miscible multi-component, diesel fuels and methods of bio-oil transformation" (US-2007-0261296-A1) and maintains active research in biomass conversion technologies. His laboratory features advanced analytical capabilities including GC/MS, Py-GC/MS, FTIR, and various thermal analysis techniques.