MANIK CHANDRA BISWAS, Ph.D. Fiber and Polymer Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, USA Manik Chandra Biswas is a doctoral candidate, working as a research assistant at Wilson College of Textiles and a polymer and materials engineer, executed research and product development independently for 7+ years, seeking to innovate real-world textile and polymeric products and guide innovations in green chemistry as well as their adoption by industry. His graduate research (at Master’s and doctoral levels) focuses on innovations in the conversion of biomass waste into value-added materials and the substitution of petroleum-based additives with biomass derivatives for the strengthening of plastics and regenerated fibers from natural resources. Overall, his research will improve the sustainability of the textile industry by introducing overlap between the circular economies of both the textile and agricultural industries. His research interests are materials engineering, polymer chemistry, fiber spinning techniques, nonwoven textiles, E-textiles, polymer functionalization and modifications, nanomaterials synthesis, and polymer reinforcement. He has two master's degrees, one in Materials Science and Engineering and another in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. He has a bachelor's degree in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.