Lokendra Pal

Bio

Dr. Lokendra Pal is the EJ Woody Rice Professor and University Faculty Scholar of Sustainable Bioproducts Engineering in the Department of Forest Biomaterials at NC State University. Pal has over 23 years of global experience in research and technological advancement, as well as professional experience in managing and collaborating with industrial partners worldwide. Before joining NC State, he spent 9 years at Hewlett-Packard Company. He has authored 70 peer-reviewed publications and co-invented 48 patents. In 2021, he was honored as an NC State Faculty Scholar, recognizing his outstanding research contributions, excellence in teaching, student mentorship, and leadership within professional societies. He received the University Outstanding Teacher Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2022. Dr. Pal is leading a significant research focused on decarbonizing the waste and forest products industrial sectors by developing and implementing AI-enabled materials discovery, waste upcycling, smart manufacturing, electrification, and energy-efficient technologies funded by the Manufacturing USA institutes, industry consortium, DOE, USDA, and many industrial partners.