Written by Rachel Kraft Mattson
For senior Dian Castro, the path to Bioproducts Engineering began with a simple desire to combine a love for biology with a commitment to the environment. Now, as Spring 2026 graduation approaches, Dian’s work is proving that the future of sustainability is engineered in the lab.
"Back in high school, I knew I wanted to do something related to research, biology, and the environment," Dian said. "I found BBE to align perfectly with these interests, especially with its pursuit of developing sustainable products and practices."
Dian hasn’t just been sitting in lecture halls, they have been at the forefront of bio-based innovation. Since sophomore year, Dian has served as an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Hua Zhao. Their work focuses on using novel ionic liquids, essentially liquid salts, to facilitate the enzymatic synthesis of products like biodiesel and biosurfactants.
"This opportunity has allowed me to develop my research skills and delve deeper into the use of enzymes as a pathway for production," Dian explained.
Beyond campus labs, Dian spent the summers of 2024 and 2025 interning with Veolia, a global leader in resource management. There, Dian took the lead on projects that significantly reduced water and energy consumption in filter production processes, bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-life application.
Even while staying busy with school work, Dian has remained a fixture in BBE student life. Dian is a long-time member of the TAPPI student group, Food and Bioproducts Engineering Organization (FaBEO).
Dian has also been a big part of the Philippine Student Association of Minnesota (PSA MN). After serving as multimedia chair and marketing director, Dian now serves as an advisor for the group.
"PSA MN gave me a great opportunity to develop my leadership skills through their student board while also being able to connect with other people from my culture," Dian said.
Dian isn’t ready to leave the Gopher family just yet. After crossing the stage this spring, Dian plans to pursue a master’s degree within the BBE department. The ultimate goal? A career in Research and Development (R&D) focused on enzyme utilization and bio-based products.
For those just starting their journey in the department, Dian’s advice is simple: Get involved! "Join FaBEO and BBE ambassadors," Dian urged. "Both orgs are great ways to connect with other people in our department and make friends."