B25 Ruttan Hall
Seminar abstract:
In the southwestern U.S., the semi-arid and arid environments support a surprisingly large number of potential biomass resources from forestry residues, agricultural residues, and algae. Research in biomass utilization focuses on the development of processes to change the properties of the starting feedstocks to make value-added products. Dr. Brewer will describe the unique challenges and opportunities of working with biomass in arid regions. Among the projects she will highlight are the hydrothermal liquefaction of algae grown on wastewater, the extraction of insect repellents from guayule (Parthenium argentatum) and hedge apple/Osage orange (Maclura pomifera), the separation of fibers and essential oils from hemp (Cannabis sativa), and the production of biochars for use in adsorption, soil health, and reforestation applications.
Dr. Catherine Brewer Biography
Before joining NMSU in 2013, Catherine “Catie” Brewer completed a B.S. in Chemistry at Indiana U. of Pennsylvania, a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Biorenewable Resources & Technology at Iowa State University, and a postdoc at Rice University. She is currently a John Kaichiro & Tome Miyaguchi Nakayama Endowed Professor in Engineering for interdisciplinary research and education. Dr. Brewer served as associate editor for two years and co-editor-in-chief for two years for Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. She has also served as community program chair and other leadership roles in the American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (ASABE). Her research interests include biomass utilization, biochar, soil and water remediation, renewable fuels, sustainable agriculture, and uses of radioisotopes. She teaches introduction to chemical engineering calculations, senior capstone design, and electives related to brewing and nuclear chemical engineering.