Lucian Lucia, professor in the Department of Chemistry, was recently honored by BASF through an invitation to deliver a Committee for Scientific Innovation and Interaction (CSI2) Distinguished Seminar.
Prof. Lucia was selected for his innovative work in transforming cellulose, a renewable natural polymer, into high-performance coatings and agricultural materials. The seminar, entitled “A Bio-Based Toolkit: Engineering Functional Materials from Cellulose for Advanced Coatings and Sustainable Agriculture,” took place on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture on BASF’s Research Triangle Park campus in North Carolina.
“This invitation represents more than a personal milestone; it underscores the global relevance and growing impact of the science we’re advancing here at NC State.”
Prof. Lucia said: “The invitation to BASF’s two-day visit represents more than a personal milestone; it underscores the global relevance and growing impact of the science we’re advancing here at NC State. The visit was an incredible opportunity to engage with the company’s top scientists, decision-makers, and collaborators on how fundamental chemistry can unlock transformational solutions for complex global challenges.”
CSI² serves as a strategic gateway between BASF’s Research, Development, and Technology (RD&T) community and leading academic and industry talent worldwide. Since its founding in 2009, the CSI² Distinguished Seminar Series has hosted experts at BASF RD&T sites across the Americas, providing a platform for high‑impact presentations and substantive dialogue with BASF scientists. These seminars are shared with BASF’s global research and innovation communities, promoting interdisciplinary and cross‑geographic collaboration. By fostering strong collaborative relationships, CSI² reinforces BASF’s commitment to scientific excellence and helps accelerate innovation. The committee is led and managed by BASF RD&T employees representing multiple research areas across disciplines..
Prof. Lucia is currently pursuing two projects with BASF for insect control (leaf hopper on rice plants) and the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of greener seed coating formulations for optimal productivity. His work with BASF, in conjunction with Prof. James Martin and graduate student Cynthia Victor-Oji, is ushering in a new chemistry paradigm colloquially referred to as SupraMolecular Assembly Catalysis (SMAC).
