Utilizing Biorenewable Materials for the

Production of Bio-Based Products in Sustainable

Ways: Learning Its Opportunities and Challenges

Justinus A. Satrio, Ph.D.

Biomass Resources & Conversion Technologies Laboratory
and
Department of Chemical Engineering
Presented at
Faculty of Agricultural Technologies
Brawijaya University
Malang, Indonesia, April 24th 2014
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Lecture Outline
1. Introduction About Villanova University
2. Graduate studies in the U.S.

Joined Villanova in 2010 My 15 Minutes of Fame

Publication Opportunity

http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/apbi
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About Villanova University

Where is Villanova University at ?

 Villanova is located in a suburban community 12 miles (20 km) west

of Philadelphia, easily accessible by train.
Philadelphia is the first capital of USA and the 5th largest city in the
country.
Two hours drive south of New York City and north of Washington D.C.
Large Indonesian community (about 5000) in South Philadelphia

Indonesian Communities in Philadelphia

About Villanova University

Villanova University, founded in 1842, is the oldest and largest
Catholic university in the State of Pennsylvania.
Over 10,000 undergraduate, graduate, and law students, take
part in a wide variety of degree programs throughout the
University's five colleges 1) College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,
2) College of Engineering, 2) College of Nursing, 4) School of
Business and 5) Villanova School of Law.
Villanova has 583 full-time faculty, nearly 90% of whom hold the
highest degree in their fields.
Endowment: US $ 425 millions (2013)
Motto: Veritas, Unitas, Caritas (Truth, Unity, Love)

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About Villanova University

Academic Quality
#1 University (Regional UniversitiesNorth), U.S.News & World
Report
Top U.S. Producer of Fulbright Students (Masters Institutions), The
Chronicle of Higher Education
Villanova School of Business: #7 Nationwide, Best Undergraduate
Business Schools, Bloomberg Businessweek
College of Engineering: #9 Nationwide, Best Undergraduate
Engineering Programs (Bachelors/Masters Category), U.S.News &
World Report
College of Nursing: Designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing
Education by the National League for Nursing

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Student Life
Villanova students actively participate in charitable and philanthropic
activities and organizations:
Special Olympics Largest student run event in the world
Habitat for Humanity
Engineers Without Borders - non-profit organization that focuses
on helping to improve the living conditions of communities
worldwide
Rays of Sunshine Caring for the elderly, sick and disabled people
Campus Ministry & Service Integrating personal faith into the
academic and social environment of the university

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Department of Chemical Engineering

Department of Chemical Engineering

Faculty members: 12 and growing
Size of undergraduate classes: 50-60
Increasing enrollments of graduate
students pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. degrees

Faculty Research Areas

Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Designs
Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering
Supercritical Fluid Applications
Industrial Wastewater Treatment Processes
Biomass Resources and Conversion Technologies
Sustainability/Alternative Energy

Heterogeneous catalysis
Nanomaterials

Biomass Resources and Conversion Technologies

BRCT Laboratory

http://www3.villanova.edu/biomass/

Graduate Studies in U.S.A.

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Why Graduate School in the U.S.

Graduate school in the U.S. provide strong background for those
who are becoming university teachers.
A big portion of program include graduate level courses
Research is a partial requirement in graduate program

MS Degree:
- 36 course credits, including 6-18 credit from research
- Completed in 2 years
PhD degree : 72 course credits, including 30-36 credits from
research
- 72 course credits, including 30-36 credit from research
- Completed in 3-5 years

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How about the Cost?

Study in the U.S.A. is expensive, but most graduate schools
provide financial aids for selected students.
Research and development is a very important role for
universities.
Graduate students are employed to work with faculty on
various research projects.
Tuition scholarship
Full scholarship - pay for tuition and monthly stipend
Stipend ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 monthly

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What are the Chances of Getting Assistantships?

Most universities admit new graduate students based on the

number of scholarships that they can provide yearly
Funding comes from yearly allocation from university and
from external grants obtained from individual faculty
members
Very competitive, but chances are good.
High percentage of the number of graduate students in the U.S.A.
are foreign students (> 50% in many places)
Large number of graduate foreign graduate students are
from China and India.
Opportunities for university teachers in Indonesia to
pursue advanced degrees.
Occupation as university faculty distinguish you from other
applicants.
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I am thinking of pursuing a graduate

degree in the U.S. Where should I start?
Find out what are your interests in research
You will spend 2-5 years doing research.
You better like the research!
Do research to find universities and faculty researchers
who do research that you are interested in.
Ask around through your network connections.
Find out from journal articles
Primary authors and their affiliation
Find their contact information,
Do internet search
Check out university websites

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I am thinking of pursuing a graduate

degree in the U.S. Where should I start?
What to look for about individual faculty researchers:
Research area
Years of graduation,
Where they are in professorships:
Assistant professor
Associate professor
Professor
Emeritus professor
Publications
Size of their research groups
Do research thoroughly.

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I am thinking of pursuing a graduate

degree in the U.S. Where should I start?
Contact the individual faculty members directly.
Many university professors have research projects with
grant money and need researchers to work on their
projects.
Write a brief E-mail explaining your interest in doing research
with the faculty members:
Letter should be professional, i.e. concise and to the point:
Introduce yourself and background
Where/how your find out about them and their
research
Why you are interested to work for them
Make sure to use proper English grammar
Check and re-check the letter to make sure it is free of
grammatical errors and/or spelling.
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I am thinking of pursuing a graduate

degree in the U.S. Where should I start?
Write a brief E-mail (Contd) :
Attached a 2-page resume .
In the letter, invite the faculty researcher to review
your resume.
Your 2-page Resume :
Should be brief and concise and professional.
Interests, educational background, work experiences,
publications, skills and knowledge, awards received
Show of your accomplishments. Dont exagerate, but
dont be bashful either.
Do not provide personal information. This includes
your photograph of you, date of birth, and gender
information
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I am thinking of pursuing a graduate

degree in the U.S. Where should I start?

You may/may not get a response from the faculty researchers

They may not be interested in you
They may not have funding support
When they respond they are likely:
Want to know more about you if they have funding
support
Will respond by telling you to submit application
forward your E-mail to the Graduate Program Director
Start preparing your applications.
Prepare yourself for taking GRE and TOEFL
Sharpen your English language skills and knowledge, in
both speaking and writing.

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 Content: Typical Application Package

Completed application
Application fee (varies)
Resume (can be longer than 2 pages)
Official transcripts of previous degrees
Test scores (GRE and TOEFL)
Reference letters (typically 3)
Personal statement (500-700 words)
Financial aid application
Successful application:
Show evidence that applicant is a distinguish individual
Demonstrate that the interests of the applicant match the
program the applicant is applying to.
Not contain obvious mistakes or exaggeration
Easily readable.
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GRE and TOEFL Tests

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Standardized test of English language proficiency for nonnative English speakers used by most U.S. universities for
evaluating foreign student applicants.
Tests: Internet Based Test (IBT) and Paper Based Test (PBT)
Knowledge/skills tested: Reading, Listening, Speaking and
Writing
Scoring/grading:
IBT: 0 30 for each of the 4 sections. Total: 0-120
PBT: 310 677 (Listening, structure and reading).
Writing: 0- 6
Minimum score requirement varies for different universities.
At Villanova University: 80 for IBT or 550 for PBT
Scores valid for 2 years
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GRE and TOEFL Tests

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
Standardized test used by most graduate schools in the U.S.
Tests: Internet Based Test (IBT) and Paper Based Test (PBT)
Knowledge/skills tested: Analytical writing, quantitative
reasoning, and verbal reasoning
Minimum score requirement varies for different universities.
Scores valid for 5 years

When to take TOEFL and GRE?

Ideally 6-12 months before application to make sure the best
scores are submitted for the application.
Can take TOEFL and GRE after application is submitted, but this
is risky.
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Thank you for Listening!

Biomass Resources and Conversion Technologies
BRCT Laboratory

http://www3.villanova.edu/biomass/

Questions/Comments?
Contact:
Dr. Justinus A. Satrio, Ph.D.
Villanova University
Dept of Chemical Engineering
800 E. Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085
E-mail: justinus.satrio@villanova.edu
Phone: 610-519-6658