Dr. Michelle K. Kidder’s is a physical organic chemist whose research focuses to advance clean energy technologies through integration of multi-modal hybrid materials that aid in separations and chemical conversion to optimize process intensification. She aims to improve the chemical and energy efficiencies while reducing economic and environmental impact through use of renewable feedstocks. Her research describes kinetics, selectivity and thermodynamics affected by complex interfacial chemistries that occur in biomass/lignin conversion, carbon capture and release, and carbon conversion through thermal and catalytic reaction pathways that translate to deployment technologies in order to accelerate the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. At ORNL, Kidder also serves as the Program Manager for DOE’s Fossil Energy Carbon Management for Carbon Capture, Utilization and Conversion portfolio as well as the scientific lead for ORNL’s net zero carbon strategies initiative. Currently she serves as editor for the journals Fuel and Frontiers in Energy Research and on the advisory board for Energy Science and Engineering. Kidder holds several publications and patents and has served as Chair of the National American Chemical Society Energy and Fuels Division (2016), and Chair of the East TN American Chemical Society (2019). In 2018 she was named an American Chemical Society Fellow, and in 2019 awarded the U.S. Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) for research.