Rita de Cássia Colman Simões holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the State University of Maringá (2000), a master’s degree (2003) and a PhD (2008) in chemical engineering from the Chemical Engineering Program at COPPE/UFRJ. Since 2009, she has been a full-time professor at the Fluminense Federal University, where she currently holds the position of associate professor level 4. She was coordinator of the undergraduate program in chemical engineering between 2010 and 2014, in addition to coordinating the Engineering area on the Proppi-UFF Research Committee from 2017 to 2022. JCNE (FAPERJ) (2018-2022) and permanent member of the Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering at UFF. She has experience in the field of catalysis and materials, working mainly on the following topics: synthesis of mesoporous carbons and graphenes for application in composites and catalysts, study of barocaloric measurements, synthesis of zeolites from biomass, environmental catalysis, hydrogen purification for PEM fuel cells, use of nanomaterials for the conversion of CO₂ into liquid fuels, and control of VOC emissions. He also has extensive experience in patents and has acted in several lawsuits as an expert witness in specialized federal courts in Rio de Janeiro.