Manuel Raul Pelaez-Samaniego

Dynamic and results-driven professional with extensive experience in R&D and industrial efficiency, notably at Washington State University. Proven expertise in sustainable materials and energy systems, complemented by strong leadership in project management. Adept at advanced materials characterization and fostering innovation in composite materials, driving impactful solutions for a greener future.

• Member of the International Biochar Initiative.
• Society of American Foresters (SAF).
• State Alumni Member: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs International Exchange Alumni (Fulbright Scholarship).
• WSU Alumni Association.
• Society of Mechanical Engineers of Ecuador (Azuay).

• 2024, Natural fiber reinforced nylon-based composites for under-the-hood applications - Sustainability Analysis, CB2 (NSF IUCRC)
• 2023, Natural fiber reinforced nylon-6 composites for under-the-hood applications - basalt fiber sizing & rheology, CB2 (NSF IUCRC)
• 06/01/22, 12/31/23, SHIP - Solar heat for industrial processes, REPIC (Switzerland), NUTRI (Ecuador), and the University of Cuenca (Ecuador)
• 2022, Natural fiber reinforced nylon-based composites for under the hood applications, CB2 (NSF IUCRC)
• 2021, Thermally modified LSVL, Washington State University, TWT-Finland, and University of Minnesota-Duluth
• 03/01/20, 12/31/23, Use of lignocellulosic residues from the agroindustry and recycled plastics to produce composite materials and ethanol in biorefinery concepts, University of Cuenca and the Polytechnic Salesian University (UPS)
• 11/01/19, 11/01/20, Calibration and validation of F-Chart model for solar thermal energy collectors considering typical orientations of roofs in the Ecuadorian Andes, University of Cuenca and the UPS
• 03/01/18, 03/01/19, Carbon abatement potential of banana plantations in Ecuador, DIUC-University of Cuenca
• 03/01/18, 03/01/20, Study of the physical and chemical changes in organic solids produced through irradiation of heavy ions, University of Cuenca
• 06/01/17, 03/01/19, Sewage sludge to produce charcoal with properties for biogas cleaning, University of Cuenca
• 06/01/17, 03/01/19, Production of biochar for soil amendment in the Ecuadorian Southern Andes, University of Cuenca
• 05/01/16, 05/01/18, Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors engineering at laboratory scale, University of Cuenca
• 03/01/16, 05/01/17, Production of hydrogen from banana residual biomass via supercritical catalytic gasification, National Institute of Energy Efficiency of Ecuador (INER) and the Secretariat of Higher Education, Science and Technology
• 08/01/14, 07/01/15, Advancing Organics Management in Washington State: The Waste to Fuels Technology Partnership, Department of Ecology, State of Washington
• 08/01/14, 07/01/15, Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA), Funded by the USDA NIFA
• 01/01/13, 12/31/17, Selective pyrolysis of lignocellulosic materials and novel refining concepts to produce second generation bio-fuels, bio-chemicals and engineered bio-chars, NIFA
• 01/01/13, 12/31/15, Technology Research and Extension Related to Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure, Agricultural Research Center and the Washington State Department of Agriculture
• 09/01/11, 07/01/14, Converting low value forest biomass to higher value by-products including biofuels, biopolymers, and specialty composites using hot water based biorefinery, USDA Forest Service
• 2009, Biochar production in the Southern Ecuadorian Highlands, U. of Cuenca
• 2006, Feasibility of using sugar-cane trash to produce pyrolysis bio-oil, FAPESP, Brazil

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=GVP4uccAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

Proficient, Proficient, Proficient, Proficient, Proficient, Proficient, Basic, Intermediate, Basic, Mother Tongue, Proficient, Proficient

• Reviewer of more than 150 scientific papers
• Invited speaker at conferences on materials and energy
• Organizer, director, and instructor in several MS and PhD programs
• Director of the School of Industrial Engineering, University of Cuenca, Cuenca-Ecuador.
• Member of the Board of Directors, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Cuenca.
• Short stage at the EMSL/PNNL (Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory), Richland, WA, USA.
• Organizer of the Master's program in Energy Planning and Management, University of Cuenca, Ecuador.

• Industrial production & Operations management
• Technical team leadership
• R&D Project management
• Processes Engineering
• Biomass thermochemical conversion into biofuels and biomaterials
• Advanced materials characterization
• Sustainable materials and composites (e.g., wood plastic composites, additive manufacturing)
• Mechanical equipment and Machine design
• Energy efficiency, auditing, and CHP Systems
• Electrolytic hydrogen and Energy systems