ACerS is pleased to announce Dachamir Hotza has been selected for Volunteer Spotlight, a program that recognizes a member who demonstrates outstanding service to The American Ceramic Society through volunteerism.
Hotza is full professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in Florianópolis, Brazil. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical and mechanical engineering from UFSC and his Ph.D. in materials engineering from the Hamburg University of Technology, Germany. He has held visiting research appointments at the University of Aveiro (Portugal), Université de Limoges (France), the University of Queensland (Australia), and the University of California, Davis (U.S.).
Hotza’s research and outreach efforts focus on sustainable ceramic and cementitious materials, waste valorization, and circular economy strategies—linking scientific innovation with global environmental responsibility.
Hotza has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among ceramic researchers across the Americas. For example, he is co-organizer of the Pan-American Ceramics Congress and currently director of communications of the Brazilian Ceramic Association. At the 69th Brazilian Ceramics Congress, he and his team, in collaboration with the European Ceramic Society, led activities that further strengthened the connection between ACerS and the Brazilian ceramics community.
Hotza is an ACerS Fellow, only the fourth Brazilian to receive this honor. His primary affiliation within ACerS is the Engineering Ceramics Division, but he also contributes to the Basic Science Division and the Global Young and Early Career Professionals Network through mentoring activities. Hotza has played a leading role in expanding international collaboration, most notably through the establishment and active coordination of the ACerS International Brazil Chapter.
We extend our deep appreciation to Hotza for his service to our Society!
