The Department of Forest Biomaterials is proud to announce our newly elected Graduate Student Association (GSA) officers for the 2025-2026 academic year. This dedicated team of student leaders brings a wide range of experiences, interests, and perspectives to the table. Together, they will work to support and connect graduate students through professional development opportunities, community-building events, and advocacy for student needs.

Isabel Urdaneta, President

Isabel is a chemical engineer from Venezuela who has been part of the program for two and a half years. Her research background includes simulation work to assess the environmental and economic impacts of industrial processes, statistical modeling to predict properties in hygiene tissue products, and lab-scale optimization and performance profiling of various paper-based materials. Passionate about innovation, Isabel hopes to pursue a career in research and development, one that integrates environmental responsibility, product performance, and economic efficiency.

Kindness and community are deeply important to Isabel, and her commitment to service inspired her to run for President. “I consider myself a strong advocate for service and am eager to contribute to my student community by creating more opportunities for both professional and personal development. I believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we should strive to live it to the fullest,” she shared.

Md Nazrul Islam, Vice President

Nazrul is from Bangladesh and has been pursuing his PhD in the Department of Forest Biomaterials with Dr. Sunkyu Park since spring 2023. His research focuses on the synthesis and upgradation of bio-based advanced carbon materials targeting energy sustainability. He enjoys working on innovative solutions for problems in the research and development sector, as well as social development and community services. After graduation, he sees himself joining energy research laboratories where he can invest his knowledge and expertise in affordable and cleaner technologies for the future.

When asked about his goals as vice president, Nazrul shared, “I want to prioritize community engagement, professional development, and industry affiliation. Furthermore, I would like to contribute to outdoor activities that promote both relaxation and adventure, allowing us to grow as a team.”

Maria Camila Garcia Vallejo, Secretary

Camila is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Forest Biomaterials program at NC State, working under the guidance of Dr. Sunkyu Park. Her research focuses on exploring the potential of various feedstocks, especially residual biomass, to produce materials and energy vectors such as aviation fuel and graphite. Before joining the program, Camila earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering in Colombia. Her previous research centered on biotechnology and investigated the use of agricultural residues to produce hydrogen as a sustainable energy vector. This work combined experimental methods with simulation and pathway analysis to evaluate different transformation processes.

While she feels it’s still early in her academic journey to determine her long-term goals, Camila is interested in the possibility of working in a national laboratory or pursuing a career in the energy sector.

Camila has been actively involved in volunteer groups focused on helping the community, especially communities with fewer opportunities. Reflecting on her motivation to get involved, she shared: “For this reason, when the call for applications came, I felt it was an opportunity to continue volunteering and to continue helping in multiple ways. As an international student, I know that the department works hard to have good communication with its students and to improve the community in general. Therefore, with my participation in the GSA as secretary, I only hope to be able to actively participate in these improvements and provide ideas that will make the department a friendly place for everyone: students, faculty members, and all those who want to be a part of it.”

Aditya Sarker, Treasurer

Aditya, originally from Bangladesh, joined the Forest Biomaterials Ph.D. program at NC State in the fall of 2023. His research focuses on the real-time characterization of plastic waste, with the goal of identifying effective pathways for diverting landfill-bound plastics toward sustainable valorization. Through this work, he aims to contribute to practical, science-driven solutions for plastic waste management. After graduation, Aditya plans to continue his research to advance technologies that support a more circular and environmentally responsible approach to plastic use and disposal.

When asked about his role on the Graduate Student Association (GSA) leadership team, Aditya shared his perspective on collaboration and stewardship, “As Treasurer, I see my role as not only managing the financial resources of the Graduate Student Association but also actively supporting the broader goals of the officer team. I aim to work collaboratively with the other officers to identify and pursue sustainable funding opportunities, ensuring that our events and initiatives are well-supported. Additionally, I plan to maintain clear and organized financial records to promote transparency and to ease the transition for future GSA treasurers. By aligning our efforts and maintaining open communication, I believe we can create a productive and successful year for the association.”