Alissa holds degrees from Montana State University and the University of Washington, and she has over a decade of research experience developing bio-based, sustainable alternatives to industrial chemicals. She currently leads lignin valorization projects as a postdoctoral researcher in the National Bioenergy Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the only federal laboratory dedicated to research, development, commercialization, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. She is passionate about finding biological solutions to energy problems, and she is excited to help provide opportunities for a new generation of young researchers.

Jeff Hammarlund is an adjunct associate professor and senior research fellow at Portland State University.  He has served as an advisor to Presidents, Senators, and other national leaders on the smart grid and renewable energy, and played a major role in creating and securing federal funding for the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy.  Previous positions include serving as a senior policy analyst and manager at a major Northwest utility trade association (Public Power Council), professional staff member with the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (where he had lead staff responsibility for renewable energy issues), policy analyst at the US Department of Energy, senior manager and policy advisor at Southern California Edison, and senior manager at several major energy consulting firms.

Vijay Kumar

Vijay Kumar is an intellectual property attorney at Fortem IP, where he works with emerging and international companies to protect their most valuable technology. Vijay focuses his practice on patent prosecution, strategic development of patent portfolios, freedom to operate analyses, and patent-related due diligence. Vijay has particular experience with technologies in the clean tech and energy sectors, including hydrogen production and storage, battery systems, carbon capture, chemical processing, biomass conversion, solar power and other alternative energies. Vijay previously worked as an attorney at Perkins Coie in Seattle, and prior to law school worked in the energy sector at a global industrial gas company in various engineering roles within operations, design and commissioning.

Cathy Myers

Cathy Myers is the chief operating officer and executive vice president at SSOE Group, a global project delivery firm for architecture, engineering, and construction management. She joined SSOE in July 2017 and brought with her 25+ years of expertise and a deep familiarity with the semiconductor industry. She previously held the position of Senior Vice President for CH2M’s Industrial and Advanced Technology Business Group with responsibility for the semiconductor market—overseeing $200 million in annual revenue. Most recently, Catherine had been the Director of Industry and Community Partnerships within the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering at the University of Portland. In addition to serving on SSOE’s Board of Directors, Catherine also serves on the board for two local organizations in Portland, Oregon, where she resides and works.

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