Biofuels and Bioenergy

Biography

Irshad is an internationally recognized expert in the renewable energy and biotechnology fields with an extensive industry network and an in-depth knowledge of technology, product and project development, business strategy, corporate governance, risk management, public policy, R&D, intellectual property development, project feasibility and commercial implementation of biofuels/biorefinery projects and/or start-up business plans. Over the past two decades, his work has integrated advances in agricultural, biological, bioprocessing, chemical and environmental engineering with public policy, project finance, business development and commercialization of next generation of technologies and products. He has forged significant strategic alliances and partnerships globally and is well versed in international business across five continents. He is the inventor of E-Diesel and cellulosic ethanol biorefinery technology platforms and fuel additives. He holds 31 patents, has written four books and over 100 publications, and manages over $200 million in ethanol, biodiesel and waste-to-energy projects. He has raised significant investment financing in the form of both equity and project financing for renewable energy projects and companies. He has served in lead corporate management roles at the US Environmental Protection Agency, Booz Allen & Hamilton, as the President of National Biodiesel Foundation. Irshad is and has been the CEO of several renewable energy companies, including Pure Energy Corporation, Integrated Biorefineries LLC, Avalon Energy Group LLC (Consulting) and Cetyl Corporation. Irshad has served on the boards of several companies and organizations, including on the Board of Advisors of the Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville, Pure Energy Corporation, National Biodiesel Foundation, EarthOne Inc., and others profit and not-for-profit organizations. He also served in lead advisory roles at the National Science Foundation, Board of Advisors at the IUAM of the US Department of Agriculture, and the national Interdepartmental Bioenergy Initiative at the US DOE and USDA. Irshad has been elected to serve as the President-Elect and a Director of MITCOB at the MIT Alumni Association of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also volunteers his time as an Educational Councilor and an application evaluator and interviewer at the Office of Admissions for of the incoming applicants to the undergraduate programs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Irshad is married with twin boys who are in High School and lives in the historic town of Lexington, Massachusetts.

Research Interest