“My mission is to be an ambassador that unites the boreal zone with a common goal and promotes the use of local fibres.”
FinnCERES is a joint competence centre for the materials bioeconomy, funded by the Academy of Finland as one of its flagship programmes. The research conducted by FinnCERES already involves a couple of hundred scientists, and it is supported and observed by a group of businesses, including Metsä Fibre. “We want to attract the gifted next-generation students to the field and to Finland – and we are already succeeding in doing this.” One of the big draws in this respect is FinnCERES’s an- nual Novel Openings project funding programme, which Rojas and his team conceived. “It is our way of encouraging researchers and students every year to present their wildest and even craziest ideas, those that look far into the future.” BOREAL ZONE, UNITE! If it were up to Rojas, those wild and crazy ideas would not be proposed by researchers alone, but also by the business sector. He wants to lure the industry out of its comfort zone, and he believes that this can be best achieved through forums such as FinnCERES and the Bioproducts Institute at the University of British Columbia, his second home base. “I am constantly looking for ways to create a greater influence with forest-based biomaterials on a global scale. My mission is to be an ambassador that unites the boreal zone with a common goal and promotes the research and use of local fibres.” Rojas says that international partnerships are particu- larly needed in the bigger challenges. “Forest biomaterials will allow us to curb carbon diox- ide emissions, clean up oceans, conserve other natural resources and increase the circular economy. Most im- portantly, forests will continue to offer recreational value,
as we already know how to use forest biomass efficiently, thanks to research.” Rojas considers the strong value chains of the plastics and other petrochemical industry a special challenge, as the new biomaterials do not fit into them directly or at least easily. “We must create new value chains. I consider Metsä Fi- bre’s model a very good one: there is a bioproduct mill surrounded by satellite units that convert lignocellulose and other wood components.” PASSION FOR SCIENCE SHOWS – AND IS INFECTIOUS Rojas’s ideas fly – on a micro, nano and global scale. And yes, he also expects forest biomaterials to advance space exploration. He has clearly managed to convince numer- ous funding and business partners of his ideas over the years. How has he done it? “I am passionate about plants and science, and I let it show. English is not my native language but I can show my enthusiasm and infect others with my message,” says Rojas. While he concedes that his abilities and merits as a scien- tist naturally establish a basis for credibility, he also points out that to accumulate them he had to inspire and engage with people. But let us go back to his youth in Venezuela once again and discover why his career choice was not as clear-cut as it may have seemed at first glance. The young Rojas, as it turns out, was also very interested in the idea of studying psychology. Now he makes use of his interest when leading multi-professional teams and cooperation. “I have to surround myself with a first-rate team and ensure that part of the team focuses on coordination ac- tivities. Although there is competition in academia, we must be able to offer researchers a relaxed atmosphere that leaves room for exchange of ideas and collaboration.” •
ORLANDO ROJAS A visiting professor at Aalto University’s Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto PI of the FinnCERES competence centre, and Canada Excellence Research Chair at The University of British Columbia where he directs the Bioproducts Institute.
46
Powered by FlippingBook