About...

In 1982, Dr. Abubakr received his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University. From 1982-1985, Dr. Abubakr was assistant professor at Yarmouk University-Jordan, where he developed a new Chemical Engineering department. From 1985-1993, he moved to Stevens Point, WI, where he accepted a position as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor and then full professor. In 1993 he joined the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. Dr. Abubakr was the research project leader/supervisory chemical engineer until accepting the position of chair of the Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Imaging.

Dr. Abubakr specializes in paper recycling research. This includes such areas as fiber fractionation, contaminants removal, ultrafiltration, enzymatic deinking, fiber loading and pulping. Dr. Abubakr is the author of over 130 papers. Some of the more recent articles are “Lightweight, High-Opacity Paper by Fiber Loading: Filler Evaluation,” “United States Postal Service Efforts to Develop an Environmentally Benign Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive for Postal Stamp Applications,” and “Packaging Grade Kraft Pulp from Small Diameter Trees.” Dr. Abubakr is an author of a book and co-author of three others. He is a well-known presenter at TAPPI and other prestigious conferences. Dr. Abubakr has received several meritorious recognitions from all his professional and academic peers. He was the winner of the USDA Secretary’s Group Honor Award, which was won four consecutive years. Other honors include the Forest Service Chief’s Technology Transfer Award, the University of Wisconsin Teaching Excellence Award, and inclusion in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, and Who’s Who in the World. Dr. Abubakr is a longtime member of the TAPPI Environmental and Pulping Division Councils and Technical Program Committees. He also served as a panel member for TAPPI’s Forest For Our Future display at Disney’s Epcot Center in Orlando, FL.