2004 Sixth Annual Beckman Scholars Symposium

"From Black to Green 'Gold': Materials and Energy for the Future"

Robert R. Dorsch, Ph.D.
Director, Biotechnology Business Development
DuPont Corporation

Dr. Dorsch is Director, Biotechnology Business Development, in DuPont’s new Biobased Materials business. In 1994, Bob initiated the first phases of DuPont’s biomaterials thrust leading to the development of a renewables based process for a high performance polymer. He is currently a member of the Federal Biomass R&D Advisory Committee.

In the last five years, his work with the academic and governmental research community has included: Chairing the Biotechnology Panel of the Chemical Industry Vision 2020 catalyzed by the Department of Energy and subsequent efforts sponsored by the Council for Chemical Research. He has participated in numerous Workshops sponsored by DOE, USDA and DOC defining the future directions for the potential of biobased Chemicals and Materials and has testified in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives on these issues. He frequently speaks on the subject of “Sustainable Chemicals and Materials” from renewable resources, including the National Academy of Engineering, ACS, AIChE, BIO2000 and National Agricultural Biotechnology Council.

Bob received a B.S. in Physics (RPI, Troy, NY) and a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics (Institute for Molecular Physics, University of Maryland).