Profa. Maria das Graças

Graduated in Exact and Technological Sciences with Full Degree in Biology (1981) and Master’s degree in Agricultural Microbiology in the Area of Food Microbiology (1988) from the Federal University of Viçosa. Doctorate’s degree in Biochemical-Pharmaceutical Technology in the Area of Fermentation Technology (1994) and Associate Professor in the Area of Applied Microbiology (2013) from the University of São Paulo. Professor at the Department of Biotechnology of the Engineering College of Lorena – EEL, University of São Paulo – USP, acting in Undergraduate and Graduate courses in the areas of Applied Microbiology and Biomass Conversion. For 28 years, has been developing research for the biotechnological utilization of different plant biomasses, with emphasis on the use of pentoses, such as xylose, from the hemicellulosic fraction of sugarcane bagasse and straw, for the production of bioproducts, particularly xylitol, ethanol and, currently, biosurfactant. More specifically, the focus is on the steps of fractionation of biomass, detoxification and nutritional supplementation of hydrolysates, and evaluation of bioprocess parameters. Recent scientific advances achieved with the scale up of xylitol production from sugarcane bagasse have led to the diversification of the investigation for the use of the sugarcane biomass in biorefinery, including sugar cane straw and molasses, in addition to the exploitation of Antarctic microbial biodiversity to obtain bioproducts from pentoses. Collaborates in interinstitutional and international projects. The scientific production publicized in the country and abroad is found in indexed periodics, book chapters, theses, patents, among others. Recently, has served as Chair of the Comissão de Pesquisa at EEL-USP and Member of the Conselho de Pesquisa of USP (2007-2013). Is founding member of the Ibero-American Society for the Development of Biorefineries – SIADEB, a cooperation project of CYTED Network 310RT0397 (2010-2013), and founding member of the Bioenergy Society (SBE), which was founded in November 2013. Currently, at EEL-USP, is member of the Comissão de Pesquisa, of the Conselho do Departamento de Biotecnologia and of the Comissão de Biossegurança.