WHO WE ARE

The founders of NextCAT are the inventors of the technology and co-directors of the National Biofuels Energy Lab (NBEL) at Wayne State University. NBEL was funded with a $4MM grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish the scientific basis for expanded use of biodiesel and resulted in the ASTM B20 standard. The inventors of the technology are recognized experts in the field of catalysis.

		Dr. Simon Ng received his BSE, MSE, and PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is currently a Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Wayne State University (WSU), the founding director of WSU's Graduate Programs in Alternative Energy Technology, and the director of the WSU/NextEnergy National Biofuels Energy Laboratory. He has published and presented over 250 research papers. Professor Ng has also served as the President of the Michigan Catalysis Society, recently, he served as a special advisor to the Michigan Renewable Fuel Commission.
		Dr. Steven Salley has been a faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Wayne State University for over 30 years and has taught and conducted research in the area of biochemical engineering, chemical reactor design and reaction kinetics for much of that time. He has published and presented over 100 research papers. In addition to his research roles, Dr. Salley has served in multiple Administrative appointments including Dean of the WSU Graduate School. He is currently leading a WSU Taskforce on Alternative Energy programs along with his appointment in the National Biofuels Energy Lab and is a founder of NextCAT.
		Dr. Shuli Yan received her Ph.D. degree in Chemical Technology from Sichuan University, China, in 2007. Her current research focuses on the preparation and characterization of alternative biofuels, and catalysis chemistry of fuel conversion. It includes catalytic transesterification and esterification of crude oils for biodiesel production, and extraction and conversion of algae biomass into biofuels. Dr. Yan has published 15 papers and filed 6 patents and co-inventor of the NextCAT catalyst.
		Charles A. Salley, Interim CEO of NextCAT, is a serial entrepreneur and marketing/sales executive who has founded 4 previous companies and has actively taught and mentored technology start-ups as the founding Executive Director of the Ann Arbor SmartZone Business Accelerator, co-founder of Ann Arbor SPARK Entrepreneur Boot Camp, Advisor to the Wolverine Fund and Frankel Fund at the UM Ross School of Business.

For more on the National Biofuels Energy Lab click here