Hemant Pendse is the Founding director of the University of Maine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute. He directs a 40,000 sq. ft. high-bay facility for floor scale technology validation in Old Town, Maine. In October 2007, Prof. Pendse was appointed to the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board by Governor Baldacci. He also served on Governor’s task force on ‘Wood to Energy’ in 2008. He is currently serving as the Chair of the Transport and Energy Processes (TEP) Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). In September 2009, Prof. Pendse received the University of Maine College of Engineering Ashley S. Campbell Award. In May 2012, Prof. Pendse received the University of Maine Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award.