Adam Bratis — Acting Deputy Laboratory Director, Science and Technology, and Chief Research Officer

Previously, he managed NREL's R&D efforts in support of the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in the bioenergy space—including technical and managerial oversight in the areas of biosciences; conversion of biomass to fuels, chemicals, and materials; algal biofuels; techno-economic and life-cycle analyses; and fuels testing. He has also served as a spokesperson for the bioenergy research program at NREL both internally and externally.

Bratis also leads the Renewable Carbon Fiber Consortium, a multiyear, multi-institution research consortium made up of national lab, academic, and industrial partners. The objective of the consortium is to demonstrate cost-effective production of renewable carbon fibers from lignocellulosic biomass-derived acrylonitrile.

Prior to joining NREL in 2008, Bratis had 11 years of experience with ExxonMobil in the areas of research and development, corporate planning, and refining and supply. He has extensive knowledge with respect to both alternative and conventional fuels.

Bratis has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Clarion University, a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Delaware, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Delaware.