Dr. Quirino came to Georgia Southern University in 2012 after spending one year as a postdoctoral Research Associate in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Iowa State University, where his research focused on the functionalization of carbon nanotubes and on the preparation of polyurethanes from vegetable oils. His research group at Georgia Southern University is devoted to the development of novel heterogeneous catalysts, the study of the behavior of carbon nanotubes when exposed to microwaves, and the investigation of bio-based thermosetting materials.

Research Interests: With interests in polymer science, catalysis, pyrolysis, oleochemistry, biofuels, and biorenewable materials, the Quirino Research Group carries out a student-driven, original research in the Chemistry Department at Georgia Southern University. The Group’s main research focus is centered on the use of triglycerides as starting materials for different chemistries. Our research primary activity is two-fold: (1) investigation of bio-based systems from a materials perspective, and (2) development of recoverable catalysts for existing organic chemical reactions.