The Executive Committee of the IULTCS has awarded Professor Mariliz Gutterres Soares, Head of the Laboratory for Leather and Environment Studies (LACOURO) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in Brazil, the 2017 IULTCS Merit Award for Excellence in the Leather Industry.
After receiving her degree in chemical engineering in 1984, Mariliz started work in the leather industry and today her technical and scientific contributions span more than 30 years.
In congratulating her, the current IULTCS President, Dr Dietrich Tegtmeyer of Germany, said: "Mariliz has been very active in supporting various initiatives from the IULTCS for many years and we trust that she will continue serving the industry with her broad knowledge and experience".
Upon hearing of her selection Mariliz responded: "To work between students and industry is a privilege and a source of constant growth. I thank all my dear IULTCS and industry friends who have challenged and supported me. This is a unique moment, the most important of a professional career."
Mariliz joins an exclusive list of six previous winners of the Merit Award. The IULTCS Award was established in 2005 and has been described by a previous winner as the Nobel Prize for the leather industry. The ceremony recognizing Professor Gutterrez will take place during the next biennial IULTCS World Congress in Chennai India from 5-8 February 2017.
