Renata Bura is the Denman Professor of Pulp and Paper Science in the School of Environmental and Forest Resources. As a biotechnologist, Bura focuses her research on ways to turn biomass into useful products, working primarily on the manufacture of two different biochemicals: bioethanol and xylitol. Bioethanol is a petrol substitute used primarily for cars and trucks, while xylitol is a sugar substitute that is more tooth-friendly, and recommended by dentists for oral health. (Because of her work on xylitol, Bura’s students sometimes call her Professor X.) Among other things, Bura looks for ways to synthesize these products more efficiently. She is one of the core faculty for UW Bioenergy IGERT, an NSF-sponsored program that aims to help create more sustainable societies.