A University of Guelph researcher motivated to battle climate change is a finalist for RBC’s Top 25 Immigrant Awards for his contribution to sustainable living in the community.
The award recognizes the positive impact immigrants have made in their communities since they arrived in Canada. Winners will be selected by the highest amount of votes by the general public on their website by May 16.
Originally from India, Amar Mohanty, a professor and premier's research chair in biomaterials and transportation, came to Guelph after working in Michigan State University for nine years.
Mohanty said he came here because he was looking for a challenge that will allow an industrial application to his research in 2008. He came to the U of G with his wife Manju Misra, also a professor at the U of G.
He saw Guelph as a city that offered many exciting challenges and opportunities for his research to benefit society.
“There was excellent support from the university and the research centre,” said Mohanty.
“My main research motivation is the mitigation of climate change that's good for the environment and good for our children and future generations.”
Mohanty has researched and discovered new ways to create biocomposites that can replace conventional plastic.
He created the compostable packing composition in the PurPod100, a 100 per cent compostable single-serve coffee pod which received 11 awards for innovation and sustainability and is available in Canada, the US, Mexico and South America.
Mohanty’s latest research discovery includes new formulations of sustainable biocarbon which is currently being used in trials by automakers for automotive parts across Ontario.
Mohanty was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society, and Innovation of the Year Award from the University of Guelph.
“I'm committed to doing something good for Canada, good for the environment and our children and our children's children,” said Mohanty.
