A tribute to longtime AOCS member Girma Biresaw

AOCS members and staff were saddened to learn that Girma Biresaw, Ph.D., an AOCS member since 2002, passed unexpectedly on September 8, 2020. You can read his obituary here.

He will be missed greatly by many from the AOCS community, including many from the Industrial Oil Products Division.

In his honor, AOCS would like to share the following:

• Brief biography
• Tributes from Dr. Biresaw's close colleagues

Girma (left) with Kash L. Mittal, at the 2018 Surfactants in Solution Conference

A brief biography of the late Girma Biresaw:

Dr. Biresaw received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis, and was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for 4 years at the University of California, Santa Barbara.  Dr. Biresaw conducted research at Alcoa with surface/colloid science, adhesion, and tribology for 12 years.  Dr. Biresaw joined the USDA-ARS-NCAUR, in Peoria, IL, in 1998 as a Research Chemist, and has been a Lead Scientist since 2002.  Dr. Biresaw’s research accomplishments are recognized nationally and internationally as evidenced by the more than 150 national and international special invitations including requests to conduct training, workshops, advisory, and consulting activities.  Dr. Biresaw has made invited technical presentations and trainings worldwide at national and international technical societies including American Chemical Society (ACS), Adhesion Society (ADHESOC), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), Asia International Conference on Tribology (ASIATRIB), BioEnvironmental Polymer Society (BEPS), International Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists (IACIS), International Symposium on Fuels and Lubricants (ISFL), Japanese Society of Tribologists (JAST), MACRO Conference, Surfactants in Solution (SIS), Society of Tribologists’ and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), and World Technology Conference (WTC).  Dr. Biresaw’s results have been commercialized at manufacturing locations in the USA, The Netherlands, and Brazil.  Dr. Biresaw has authored/co-authored more than 250 scientific publications.

The following are a series of tributes from his close colleagues. 

From Steven C. Cermak, Ph.D., USDA ARS NCAUR, Peoria, Illinois, USA 

Dr. Girma Biresaw was a hard-working dedicated scientist at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - National Center of Agricultural Utilization Research Center (NCAUR) in Peoria, IL.  It wasn’t uncommon to see him diligently working in his office on the weekends and evenings.  Dr. Biresaw had authored/co-authored more than 250 scientific publications and had numerous collaborations with other government facilities, academia and industry.  He was a key player in the tribology field which was his main research interest.  Dr. Biresaw was a Fellow of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) and senior editor of “Surfactants in Tribology” book series which comprised 7 volumes.  Personally, I would have to say Girma’s most enjoyable times at NCAUR were working with and mentoring students.  He had several exceptional students over the years that have gone on to have outstanding scientific careers.   

Girma earned two B.S. degrees, one in Mathematics from St. Augustine’s College and one in Textile Chemistry from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, as well as a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis in 1981. After completing a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for 4 years at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Girma conducted research at Aluminum Company of America, Alcoa Center, PA, on surface/colloid science, adhesion, and tribology for 12 years. Girma began his successful ARS career at the National Center of Agricultural Utilization Research Center in Peoria, IL, in 1998 as a Research Chemist investigating interfacial models for predicting compatibility in biopolymer blends; applied surface, interfacial, and tribological concepts in the development of novel biomaterials (from plant proteins, starches, and soybean oil); and tackled a variety of agricultural and food issues. Girma became Lead Scientist early in his career in 2002 due to his successful research and leadership accomplishments. Most recently, Girma spent most of his efforts working on chemical modification of vegetable oils that resulted in improved tribological properties as well as new biobased anti-wear phosphonate additives with comparable properties to commercial petroleum-based products. Girma’s career accomplishments have been commercialized at manufacturing locations in the USA, The Netherlands and Brazil.

Girma’s research accomplishments are well recognized nationally and internationally, with more than 150 national and international special invitations including requests to conduct training, workshops, advisory, and consulting activities. Girma has made invited technical presentations and trainings worldwide at national and international technical societies including the American Chemical Society (ACS), Adhesion Society (ADHESOC), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), Asia International Conference on Tribology (ASIATRIB), BioEnvironmental Polymer Society (BEPS), International Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists (IACIS), International Symposium on Fuels and Lubricants (ISFL), Japanese Society of Tribologists (JAST), MACRO Conference, Surfactants in Solution (SIS), Society of Tribologists’ and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), and World Technology Conference (WTC).

Girma was very active in many societies, however, his main efforts were put towards both the National and Local Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) to which he became a Fellow in 2013. He was also very dedicated and involved in the mentoring of others through hosting or sponsoring numerous visitors from industry, academia, high schools, and other research labs worldwide.

Finally, I had the opportunity to travel frequently over the years with Girma - conversations usually entailed stories of his family and the success of his past students.  Girma will be missed by friends and colleagues not only at NCAUR but throughout the tribology field.

From Robert O. Dunn, Ph.D., USDA ARS NCAUR, Peoria, Illinois, USA

I have known Girma since his arrival at NCAUR in 1998.  My experience working with him on the same research project formally began in 2015.  He was responsible and effective in his role the Lead Scientist on our project.  I have seen him take young scientists and post-graduate students under his wing and guide them through their work at NCAUR.  He has a distinguished record in scientific achievements related to tribology and the development of bio-based lubricants and lubricant additives.  His untimely loss was a shock to all of us at NCAUR.  He leaves behind a legacy that cannot be replaced. 

From BK Sharma, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA

I came to know Dr. Biresaw when we first started collaborating for one of our industry projects on biobased lubricants in 2003. I continued my research collaboration with him even after joining UIUC. I remember running into him with his jovial attitude at annual meetings. He has been a great collaborator, always smiling, willing to help and full of energy. He was very active not only in the STLE local section but also in many STLE committees and AOCS. He will be greatly missed.

AOCS' thoughts are with the Biresaw family during this difficult time. If you have photos or stories you would like to share about Dr. Biresaw, feel free to reach out to the AOCS' Communication Specialist, Katherine Gaffney.