Dr. James A. Trainham
Professor and Associate Chair for Industry RelationsBiography
Professor Trainham’s research interests are in renewable energy. Before joining UF, Trainham spent most of his professional career in industry: four years as chief technology officer JDC Phosphate, four years as vice president, distinguished fellow and director of the Research Triangle Solar Fuels Institute at RTI International, senior vice president of Sundrop Fuels (a solar fuel company), served as global vice president of Science and Technology at PPG Industries, and had a 25-year career at the DuPont Company. Trainham was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1997. Received the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Award for Chemical Engineering Practice, 2002; selected as “one of the 100 Chemical Engineers of the Modern Era” by the AIChE, 2008; Elected Fellow AIChE, 2012; and Received the Industry Leadership Award, 2016. His industrial expertise is in technology commercialization of both product and process technologies.
Education
PhD, 1979, University of California, Berkeley
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
National Academy of Engineering, Member
American Institute of Chemical Engineer, Member
Research Interests
Renewable energy, synthetic fuels including hydrogen production, energy storage, electrochemical engineering, and techno-economics of energy alternatives