Zia Abdullah is Biomass Laboratory Program Manager at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where he fosters NREL’s relationship with the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). In addition, he works with senior lab management to set the strategic agenda for NREL’s biomass portfolio and with research staff to execute the research strategy. Dr. Abdullah is a mechanical engineer with extensive experience and accomplishments in thermochemically and biochemically converting biomass to fuels and chemicals. His experience includes more than 25 years’ R&D in biomass conversion as well as problem solving, new product development, business development, and project management. Dr. Abdullah has won, managed, and led multiple large, competitive projects funded by government agencies. He also has developed close relationships with DOE and BETO, as well as universities, industry, and other DOE laboratories. Dr. Abdullah earned his PhD from the University of Ottawa. He can be reached at zia.abdullah@nrel.gov.