Dr. Ana Rita C. Morais

Dr. Ana Rita C. Morais
  • Assistant Professor
  • Deputy-Director of Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering

Contact Info

Learned Hall, Room 4132F
1530 W. 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66045

Personal Links

Education —

B.S. in Biosciences - microbiology, Portuguese Catholic University,, 2010, Porto, Portugal
M.S. in Food Engineering, Technical University of Lisbon, 2012, Lisbon, Portugal
Ph.D. in Sustainable Chemistry, New University of Lisbon, 2018, Caparica, Portugal

Teaching —

  • C&PE 616, 626 Senior Lab
  • C&PE 715 Food Science and Engineering
  • C&PE 522 Economic Appraisal of Chemical and Petroleum Projects

Selected Publications —

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS 
  1. Gorschak, N., Gurrala, L., Tran, A., Castilla-Acevedo, S. F., Melfi, D. T, Alzahrani, H.A., Nguyen, V. S., Scurto, A. M., Allgeier, A.M., Bravo-Suarez, J.J. Morais, A.R.C.* Compressed CO2-assisted catalytic hydrocracking of polyethylene over Ru loaded zeolites. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Journal, 2026. DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c12661.
  2. Siakpebru, O.K., Morais, A.R.C.* State-of-the-Art on the Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass and its Derivatives into Biofuels using Zeolite as Catalysts. Sustainable Fuels and Energy Journal, 2026, DOI: 10.1039/d5se01314c. Invited.
  3. Anowar, R., Morais, A.R.C.* Production of Single-Cell Protein by Candida Utilis and Komagataella Pastoris from Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Defatted Soybean Meal. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102068.
  4. Gurrala, L., Morais, A.R.C.* Supercritical Fluids for Enhanced Chemical Transformation of Postconsumer Plastics: A Review. ChemCatChem, 2025. DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202401725.Invited. Selected for Front Journal Cover & Hot Topic in Sustainable Chemistry.
  5. Siakpebru, O.K., Uchagawkar, A., Gurrala, L., Norris, O., Bartlett, J., Morais, A.R.C.* Application of Hierarchical H-Y Zeolites in Hydroxyalkylation–Alkylation of 2-Methylfuran with Furfural to Produce Jet Fuel Precursors. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2025. 64.11:5830-5840. 2024 Class of Influential Researchers Award & Selected for Front Journal Cover.
  6. Osei, D., Gurrala, L., Sheldon, A., Mayuga, J., Morais, A.R.C.* Subcritical CO2-H2O Hydrolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate as a Sustainable Chemical Recycling Platform. Green Chemistry, 2024, 26, 6436-6445. Selected for Front Journal Cover.
  7. Gurrala, L., Anowar, R., Morais, A.R.C.* Supercritical CO2 to improve the susceptibility of polyethylene terephthalate to enzymatic hydrolysis. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Journal, 2024, 12, 20, 7713–7723.
  8. Siakpebru, O.K., Uchagawkar, A., Gurrala, L., Douglas, J., Adamson, P., Bartlett, J., Gorschak, N., Hassiba, A., Niphadkar, P., Bokade, V., Morais, A.R.C.* One-Pot Production of Liquid Hydrocarbons by Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Nickel Loaded on Zeolite-Based Supports. Energy & Fuels, 2024, 38, 14, 13029–13038.Morais, A. R. C., Simoni, L.D., Shiflett, M.B., Scurto, A.M. Viscosity and Density of an ISO VG 32 Polyol Ester Lubricant with Saturated Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Gases: R-134a, R-32, and R-125. 2020 (under preparation).
  9. Morais, A. R. C., Harders, A.N., Baca, K.R., Olson, G.M., Shiflett, M.B., Befort, B., Dowling, A.W. and Magiin, E.J. Phase Equilibria, Diffusivities, and Equation of State Modeling of HFC-32 and HFC-125 in Imidazolium-based Ionic Liquids for the Separation of R-410a. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2020 (in press).
  10. Morais, A. R. C., Simoni, L.D., Shiflett, M.B., Scurto, A.M. Viscosity and Density of a Polyol Ester Lubricating Oil Saturated with Compressed Hydrofluoroolefin Refrigerants. Journal of Chemical Engineering & Data. 2020. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jced.0c00431.
  11. Morais, A. R. C., Simoni, L.D., Scurto, A.M., Shiflett, M.B. Solubility and Diffusivity of Hydrofluoroolefin Refrigerants in a Polyol Ester Lubricant. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. 2020, 59, 13, 6279–6287.
  12. Morais, A. R. C., Simoni, L.D., Douglas, J.T., Scurto, A.M., Shiflett, M.B. Phase equilibrium and diffusivities of hydrofluorocarbons in a synthetic polyol ester lubricant. AIChE Journal. 2020, DOI: 10.1002/aic.16241.
  13. Morais, A. R. C., Alaras Luis M., Baek, Donna L., Fox, Robert L., Shiflett, Mark B. and Scurto, M. Aaron. Viscosity of 1-Alkyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Ionic Liquids Saturated with Compressed CO2. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data. 2019. 64, 11, 4658–4667.
  14. Turnaoglu, T., Minnick, D. L., Morais, A. R. C., Baek, D. L., Fox, R. V., Scurto, A. M. and Shiflett, M. B. Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium of 1-n-Alkyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide Ionic Liquids and Compressed CO2. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data. 2019. 64, 11, 4668–4678.
  15. Morais, Ana R. C., da Costa Lopes, A. M., Bogel-Łukasik, E., Bogel-Łukasik, R. Ionic Liquids’ cation and anion influence on aromatic amine solubility. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. 2013. 52, 14722–14726.
  16. Fockink, Douglas H., Morais, A. R. C., Ramos, Luiz P. and Lukasik, R. M. Insight into the high-pressure CO2 pre-treatment of sugarcane bagasse for a delivery of upgradable sugars. Energy. 2018. 151, 536-544.
  17. Gillet, S., Aguedo, M., Petitjean L., Morais, A. R. C., da Costa Lopes, A. M, Lukasik, R. M. and Anastas, P. Lignin Transformations for High Value Applications: Towards Targeted Modifications Using Green Chemistry. Green Chemistry. 2017. 19, 4200-4233.
  18. Toscan, A., Morais, A. R. C., Paixão, S. M., Alves, L., Andreaus, J., Camassola, M., Pinheiro Dillon, A. J., Lukasik, R. M. Effective Extraction of Lignin from Elephant Grass Using Imidazole and Its Effect on Enzymatic Saccharification To Produce Fermentable Sugars. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. 2017. 56 (17), 5138–5145.
  19. Toscan, A., Morais, A. R. C., Paixão, S. M., Alves, L., Andreaus, J., Camassola, M., Pinheiro Dillon, A. J., Lukasik, R. M. High-pressure carbon dioxide/water pre-treatment of sugarcane bagasse and elephant grass: Assessment of the effect of biomass composition on process efficiency. Bioresource Technology. 2017. 224, 639-647.
  20. Shatalov, A. A., Morais, A. R. C., Duarte, L. C., Carvalheiro, F. Selective single-stage xylan-to-xylose hydrolysis and its effect on enzymatic digestibility of energy crops giant reed and cardoon for bioethanol production. Industrial Crops and Products. 2017, 95, 104-112.
  21. Arshadi, M., Attard, T. M., Lukasik, R. M., Brncic, M., da Costa Lopes, A. M., Finell, M., Geladi, P., Gerschenson, L. N., Gogus, F., Herrero, M., Hunt, A. J., Ibáñez, E., Kamm, B., Mateos-Aparicio, I., Matias, A., Mavroudis, N. E., Montoneri, E., Morais, A. R. C., Nilsson, C., Papaioannou, E. H., Richel, A., Rupérez, P., Škrbić, B., Solarov, M. B., Švarc-Gajić, J., Waldron, K. W. and Yuste-Córdoba, F. J. Pre-treatment and extraction techniques for recovery of added value compounds from wastes throughout the agri-food chain. Green chemistry. 2016, 18, 6160-6204.
  22. Morais, A. R. C., Matuchaki, D. J. M. D., Andreus, J. and Bogel-Lukasik, R. A green and efficient approach to selective conversion of xylose and biomass hemicellulose into furfural in aqueous media using high-pressure CO2 as a sustainable catalyst. Green Chemistry. 2016, 18, 2985-2994.
  23. Morais, A. R. C. and Bogel-Lukasik, R. Highly efficient and selective CO2-adjunctive dehydration of xylose to furfural in aqueous media with THF. Green Chemistry. 2016, 18, 2331-2334.
  24. Morais, A. R. C., Pinto, V. P., Nunes, D., Roseiro, L. B., Oliveira, M. C., Fortunato, E. and Bogel-Łukasik, R. Imidazole: Prospect Solvent for Lignocellulosic Biomass Fractionation and Delignification. ACS Sustainable Chemical & Engineering. 2016, 4 (3), 1643–1652.
  25. Silveira, M. H. K., Morais A. R. C., da Costa Lopes, A.M., Olekszyszen, D. N., Bogel-Lukasik, R., Andreaus, J. and Pereira Ramos, L. Current Pretreatment Technologies for the Development of Cellulosic Ethanol and Biorefineries. ChemSusChem. 2015, 8, 3366-3390.
  26. Relvas, F. M., Morais A. R. C., Bogel-Lukasik, R. Selective hydrolysis of wheat straw hemicellulose using high-pressure CO2 as catalyst. RSC Advances. 2015, 5, 73935-73944.
  27. Relvas, F. M., Morais A. R. C., Bogel-Lukasik, R. Kinetic modelling of hemicellulose-derived biomass hydrolysis under high pressure CO2–H2O mixture technology. Journal of Supercritical Fluids. 2015, 99, 95-102.
  28. Morais A. R. C., da Costa Lopes, A.M., Bogel-Lukasik, R. Carbon dioxide in biomass processing: contributions to the green biorefinery concept. Chemical Reviews. 2015, 115, 3-17.
  29. Morais, A. R. C., Mata, A. C., Bogel-Łukasik, R. Integrated conversion of agroindustrial residue with high pressure CO2 within biorefinery concept. Green Chemistry. 2014, 16, 4312-4322
  30. Morais, A. R. C., da Costa Lopes, A. M., Costa, P., Fonseca, I, Nogueira, I. N. Oliveira, A. C. Bogel-Lukasik, R. Cattle fat valorisation through biofuel production by hydrogenation in supercritical carbon dioxide. RSC Advances. 2014, 4, 61.
  31. Morais, A. R. C., da Costa Lopes, A. M., Bogel-Lukasik, R. The phase equilibrium phenomenon in model hydrogenation of oleic acid. Monatshefte fuer Chemie/Chemical Monthly. 2014, 145, 1555-1560.
  32. Morais, A. R. C., Dworakowska, S., Reis, A., Gouveia, L., Matos, C. T., Bogel-Łukasik, R. Chemical and biological-based isoprene production: green metrics. Catalysis Today. 2015, 239, 38-43.
  33. Magalhães da Silva, S. P., Morais, A. R. C., Bogel-Łukasik, R. The CO2-assisted autohydrolysis of wheat straw. Green Chemistry. 2014, 16, 238-246.
  34. Morais, A. R. C., Bogel-Łukasik, R. Green Chemistry and the Biorefinery Concept. Sustainable Chemical Processes. 2013, 1, 18.
  35. dos Santos, A.D., Morais, A.R.C., Melo, C., Bogel-Łukasik, R. and Bogel-Łukasik, E. Solubility of pharmaceutical compounds in ionic liquids. Fluid Phase Equilibria. 2013, 356, 18-29.
  36. da Costa Lopes, A. M., Joao, K. J., Morais, A. R. C., Bogel-Łukasik, E and Bogel-Łukasik, R. Ionic liquids as a tool for lignocellulosic biomass fractionation. Sustainable Chemical Processes. 2013. 7, 129-1-3.
  37. Matos, C. T., Gouveia, L., Morais, A. R. C., Reis, A., Bogel-Łukasik, R. Green metrics evaluation of isoprene production by microalgae and bacteria. Green Chemistry. 2013, 2854-2864.

Selected Presentations —

SELECTED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
  1. Morais, A.R.C. Catalytic Strategies to Convert Waste Plastics and Lignocellulosic Biomass into Valuable Products. University of Houston. 2026
  2. Morais, A.R.C. Catalytic Conversion of Polyolefins and Woody Biomass into Valuable Products. Syracuse University. 2026
  3. Morais, A.R.C. Rational Design of Strategies to Valorize Lignocellulosic Biomass and Waste Plastics. Washington University, St. Louis. 2025.
  4. Morais, A.R.C. Assessing the Potential of Zeolite Catalysts for the Production of Sustainable Fuels from Lignocellulosic Biomass. Great Plains Catalysis Society, Iowa. 2025. (as keynote speaker).
  5. Morais, A.R.C. Engineering Supercritical CO2 as a Tunable Medium for the Catalytic Conversion of Waste Plastics. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Sponsored by CAPES: Brazilian Federal Agency. 2024
  6. Morais, A.R.C. Direct Hydrodeoxygenation of Woody Biomass into Alkanes and Aromatics. Exxon Mobil. 2022.

Awards & Honors —

Awards

  • NSF CAREER Award, 2026
  • Miller Scholar Award, School of Engineering, University of Kansas, 2025
  • Class of Influential Researchers, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2024
  • Miller Scholar Award, School of Engineering, University of Kansas, 2023
  • Key Contributor Award from the Bioenergy Science and Technology Center, National Laboratory of the Rockies (former National Renewable Energy Laboratory), CO, USA. 2020
  • Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Award from Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany. Declined to pursue a postdoctoral position in the US. 2018
  • Baxter Young Investigator Award for the developing of “Next-generation of Drug Delivery Carriers: Enhanced Thermal Stability of Proteins, and their Release in Biologically Active Form”, from Baxter Company, USA. 2018
  • Green Talents Award - International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development from Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany. 2016

Grants & Other Funded Activity —

Patent
  • Shiflett, M., Morais, A.R.C. Process for separating components of azeotropic mixtures using ionic liquids. WO2021076480A1.

Grants & Other Funded Activity

Funding agency: National Science Foundation

Program: EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII): EPSCoR Research Fellows

Title: Understanding the effects of tunable media on mass transport during catalytic conversion of polyolefins.

Start date: 1/1/2025

Start date: 31/12/2027

Role: PI

 

Funding agency: National Science Foundation

Title: Understanding the roles of CO2-tunable media on the hydrothermal deconstruction of poly(ethylene) terephthalate

Start date: 10/1/2024

End date: 9/30/2027

Role: PI. Co-PIs: Professor Linda Broadbelt, Northwestern University, and Professor Haiying Long, KU.

 

Funding agency: USDA-NIFA through South Central Sun Grant Program

Title: REU SITE: Biobased PATH: Biobased Products and Technologies Hub

Start date: 1/1/2026

End date: 8/30/2026

Role: Co-PI; PI: Assistant Teaching Professor Felipe Anaya, KU.

 

Funding agency: National Science Foundation

Title: Center: NSF Engineering Research Center Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub

Start date: 1/9/2024

End date: 31/8/2029

Role: Thrust 1 Co-leader; PI: Distinguished Professor Mark Shiflett, KU.

 

Funding agency: National Science Foundation

Title: The Kansas University Refrigerant Ionic Liquid Separation (KU-RISE)

Start date: 9/1/2022

End date: 8/31/2024

Role: Co-PI; PI: Distinguished Professor Mark Shiflett; Co-PI: Professor Aaron Scurto, KU.

 

Funding agency: National Science Foundation

Title: REU SITE: IDEA Incubator for Porous Materials: Integrating Discovery, Engineering and Art

Start date: 5/15/2023

End date: 5/14/2025

Role: Co-PI; PI: Distinguished Professor Mark Shiflett, KU.