Introduction to
Our Research
Emphasis Areas
Sustainable Bioprocessing
We utilize microbes to produce new fuels, food ingredients, materials, and chemicals. By considering the whole picture from feedstock production to microbe cultivation and processing, we can design and model new systems to solve pressing challenges in agriculture and biotechnology.
Recent Projects:
Mathematical Modeling of Fungal-Assisted Harvesting of Microalgae
Utilization of Fungi in Future Foods
Production of Bioethanol from Byproducts and Weeds
Demonstration of Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors Treating Food Waste
Keywords
Fermentation
Process Modeling
Byproduct-Upgrading
Alternative Protein
Microbiome
Complementary Bioprocesses
The integration of bioprocesses is critical to achieving the goals of the circular bioeconomy. In our lab, we investigate the efficient recycling of nutrients and energy between the agriculture, food, and bioenergy industries.
Recent Projects:
Anaerobic Digestion of Bourbon Distillers’ Spent Grains for Biofuels and Biofertilizers
Production of Biofertilizer Products from Anaerobic Digestate for Cultivation of Crops (Tomato, Corn) and Microalgae
Mitigation of GHG Emissions from Dairy Farms
Keywords
Integrated Biofactory
Renewable Energy
Nutrient Cycling
Life Cycle and Economic Analysis
The main goal of our work is to improve the sustainability of bio-, food-, and agricultural-processes. We develop Life Cycle and Technoeconomic models to take a look at the bigger picture of our work and its potential impacts on climate change, human health, and economic prosperity. We continuously iterate between this objective and our experimental work to improve and refine our ideas and processes.
Recent Projects:
Life Cycle and Economic Analysis of Extraction of Antioxidant and Prebiotics from Distillers’ Spent Grains
Economic Analysis of Production of Digestate-Derived Biofertilizers
Keywords
Impact Assessment
Economics
Alternative Technology
Sensitivity