RESEARCH EXPERIENCE THROUGH COLLABORATIVE TEAMS IN BIOPROCESSING FOR CONVERSION OF WASTE INTO PRODUCTS OF VALUE

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The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. The objective of this project is to integrate undergraduate students in team-based research projects focused on converting biological wastes into products of value. Solving this problem is an interdisciplinary challenge and we will engage teams of REU fellows and collaborating faculty mentors to work toward a sustainable solution.

Program Dates: May 13, 2024 - July 20, 2024

This REU project site is a short, fast-paced summer research experience for 10 undergraduate students. Students will gain research experience while developing the confidence to communicate scientific results and develop the skills to effectively work as part of a team. Through this interdisciplinary project, REU students will engage in rich learning opportunities across 6 major academic fields - Biosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Forestry, Fisheries, Horticulture, and Pathobiology. This site also promotes the REU fellows’ professional development through diverse learning activities and hands-on workshops focused on teamwork best practices, research practice, scientific writing, literature evaluation, and field trips to project-relevant sites. This is an opportunity to experience the scientific research process, make connections that could help further your career, and work directly alongside some of the most intelligent minds in their field.

Closing the loop on biological wastes is a critical global challenge as Earth is expected to support roughly 9-9.5 billion people by 2050. Biological wastes are potentially valuable resources that contain nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon polymers, and water. Many of the molecules found in bio-waste can be transformed into products of value to society – fertilizers, protein, energy, clean water, medicine, and advanced biomaterials. Unfortunately, bio-wastes are largely discarded in ways that cause significant environmental harm through eutrophication, dissolved oxygen depletion in water, excess mineral accumulation in soils, and the emission of potent greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. A growing global population and rising incomes will only exacerbate these problems. The solution to these problems is human ingenuity: the integration of expertise in diverse fields ranging from engineering to the biological and agricultural sciences. It also requires the training of a diverse cohort of future STEM leaders with the technical expertise and teamwork skills needed to develop solutions to bio-waste challenges. Our future needs you.
These interdisciplinary projects focus on
  • Converting waste lignin into adhesives and carbon fibers
  • Aquaponics for sustainable vegetable production
  • Converting waste cellulosic biomass into sensors for disease detection
  • Upgrading wastewater nutrients into fish feed
Program Dates: May 13, 2024 - July 20, 2024

PROJECT: Converting waste lignin into adhesives and carbon fibers

Headshot - Sushil Adhikari, P.E.
  • Department of Biosystems Engineering
  • Professor of Bioenergy and Biofuels
  • Research Area: Biomass thermochemical conversion
Headshot - Maria Auad
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Director of the Center for Polymer and Advanced Composites, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Faculty Development
  • Research Area: Polymer nanocomposites, polymers for structural/medical application
Headshot - Brian Via
  • School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
  • Director of the Forest Products Development Center
  • Research Area: Bio-based adhesives

PROJECT: Aquaponics for sustainable vegetable production

Headshot - David Blersch
  • Biosystems Engineering
  • Associate Professor
  • Research Area: Nutrient dynamics and process modeling
Headshot - Daniel Wells
  • Horticulture
  • Associate Professor of Specialty Crops
  • Research Area: Aquaponics and hydroponics plant production

PROJECT: Upgrading wastewater nutrients into fish feed

Headshot - Brendan Higgins
  • Biosystems Engineering
  • Assistant Professor
  • Research Area: Algal-bacterial interaction for wastewater treatment and resource recovery
Headshot - Alan Wilson
  • School of Fisheries
  • Associate Professor of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences
  • Research Area: Algal and zooplankton ecology, food web dynamics

PROJECT: Converting waste cellulosic biomass into sensors for disease detection

Headshot - Virginia Davis
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Dr. Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professor
  • Research Area: Nanomaterials and micro-electro-mechanical systems
Headshot - Soledad Peresin
  • School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
  • Assistant Professor of Forest Biomaterials
  • Research Area: Nanocellulose synthesis and functionalization
Headshot - Sarah Zohdy
  • School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
  • Associate Professor of Disease Ecology
  • Research Area: Disease detection, evolutionary and ecological drivers of disease dynamics

This is a 10-week intensive research experience coupled with professional development activities. Fellows will meet weekly with their mentors and biweekly with their interdisciplinary teams to facilitate communication. These activities align with the two overarching professional development themes of this REU site: communication of scientific results and effective team practices. These activities also facilitate the growth of independent researchers.

Each REU student will receive:

  • A generous stipend of $600/week
  • On-campus housing
  • A living allowance to cover food and other living expenses
  • Travel reimbursement of up to $400

Program Dates: May 13, 2024 - July 20, 2024

For any questions about this opportunity, contact Dr. Brendan Higgins (REU Site Director).