Rafael Catapan is an associate professor at the Joinville Technological Center of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), where he has been a faculty member since 2012. Rafael completed his PhD in mechanical engineering at UFSC in collaboration with the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware. His research interests have focused on the development of innovative propulsion systems, including the synthesis and use of alternative fuels, with high energy efficiency and reduced environmental impacts. His research group combines multiscale models with experimental analysis to predict the behavior of real applications. He is the supervisor of the Laboratory of Applied Combustion and Catalysis (LAC) at UFSC and Chair of the Brazilian Section of de Combustion Institute (RNC) for the term 2023/2025.