Developing sustainable solutions & technologies through research & education

Undergraduate student Dian works on enzyme research in Dr. Hua Zhao's lab
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Solar panels outside a cityscape full of high-rise skyscrapers
Students work on a paper drying machine with Professor Shri Ramaswamy
A group of students gather around a table on campus for a study session

Explore Undergrad Majors

For students with a passion for science, bio-based technology, environment and sustainability, and the advancement of the business related to them.

BBE & SSM

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Pursue Graduate Study

Our graduate degree program explores renewable bio-resources utilization with focus on environmental sustainability and global advancement of business.

M.S. & Ph.D.

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Discover BBE Research

With expertise and a proven record in innovation & collaboration, we develop solutions for a bio-based economy, ecological health, and sustainability.

Research

Upcoming Events

  • Manjoj Karkee has black short hair and wears a black suit jacket with blue shirt and blue striped tie

    Seminar with Professor Manoj Karkee

    November 4, 3 PM - 4 P M

    Join us for a seminar with Dr. Manoj Karkee, Norman R. and Sharon R. Scott Professor at the Biological and Environmental Engineering Department at Cornell University

  • A flyer for the seminar on 11/12 featuring Dr. Junli Liu's headshot

    Seminar with Dr. Junli Liu

    November 12, 3 PM - 4 PM

    Join us for a seminar presented by Dr. Junli Liu, a research associate and senior research engineer at Purdue University. 

  • Dr. Reyhaneh has shoulder length black hair and wears a black shirt.

    Seminar with Dr. Reyhaneh Shenassa

    November 18, 3 PM - 4 PM

    Join us for a seminar presented by Dr. Reyhaneh Shenassa serves as the Chief Engineer at the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office.

more events

News

  • A group of BBE seniors present their capstone project to a room of supporters.

    Seeking BBE and SSM Capstone Sponsors

    We are currently soliciting projects for our Spring 2027 BBE and SSM Capstone Courses. Have an open-ended problem that a team of senior students can solve in 14 weeks? Let us know!

  • Northern lights over pine trees

    Northern Lights in a bottle: BBE and Plasma Blue revolutionize chemical processing

    How a BBE-developed technology commercialized by Plasma Blue is destroying "forever chemicals," cleaning medical and farm settings with chemical-free plasma water, and slashing biofuel emissions.

  • A triptych of 3 new faculty headshots including, Emily Byers, Sambandh Dhal, and Peng Wei.

    Three new faculty join BBE

    Three new assistant professors join the department this fall. Dr. Emily Byers in ecological engineering, Dr. Sambandh Dhal in data science in agricultural and ecosystem sustainability, and Dr. Peng Wei in robotics, sensors, and manufactoring in sustainable agriculture and environmental management.

more news