A message from the Department Head
Hua Zhao
Spring marks a season of celebration and growth, and this year we honor the accomplishments of 14 BBE undergraduates, 24 SSM undergraduates, and five graduate students from the Class of 2025! I was very happy to visit with our graduates and their families at the departmental receptions and shake hands with our students at each commencement.
On April 24, the BBE Scholarship Gala was held at the Bell Museum to raise funds for undergraduate scholarships, and network with our donors and alumni. I am very thankful to everyone who joined the event. I would especially like to acknowledge our sponsors!
Gold sponsors:
Lexington Manufacturing (President - Mike Dillon)
Forest Products Distributors (President - Carroll Korb)
Silver Sponsors:
Gevo (CEO - Pat Gruber)
Smurfit Westrock (Beau Cooper and Mike Gunderson)
Bronze Sponsors:
Tetra Pak (Nathan Korlesky, Team Leader Process Engineering)
Roger Ruan & Amy Song
Tom Kortuem (Novonesis)
And a big thank you to all our supporters of this event. With your generosity at this event, along with your annual giving, the department was able to award 72 BBE and SSM undergraduate students with scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year in a total amount of $183,500! You can view photos from our scholarship Gala here.
I am grateful to Advisory Council Board members for their valuable support and contributions to the Board meeting on April 30, and to industry sponsors and faculty advisors for supporting BBE and SSM Senior Capstone projects, which were presented on the same day. Continue reading Dr. Zhao's full message!
Hua Zhao, Professor and Head
Student Voices
Pioneering campus and future corporate sustainability: Armine Utas
Armine Utas, a passionate and unceasingly enthusiastic Sustainable Systems Management senior, is making a name for herself in corporate sustainability. Originally from Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago, Armine grew up in a close-knit Armenian community that fostered her strong sense of support and belonging. This deep connection to her roots has influenced many aspects of her life, including her commitment to sustainability and leadership.
Armine’s academic journey took a pivotal turn in high school when she enrolled in an environmental science course during her senior year. Initially set on pursuing a business major for the longest time, she quickly realized the immense potential for integrating sustainability into corporate strategies.
Bridging business and sustainability
Meet Lauren Ryan, a driven Sustainable Systems Management (SSM) student specializing in Sustainable Products Business Management. Originally from a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, Lauren is set to graduate this Spring of 2025.
Lauren has been working in sustainability with a global perspective—most recently in Sydney, Australia—helping market innovative waste solutions, all while living with a deep-rooted love for nature. Growing up, she had early exposure to both the urban and natural environment.
“Growing up in the suburbs was really enjoyable because I had access to nature right in my neighborhood,” said Lauren. “A park within walking distance that had tons of recreational areas and even a pond where I could go fishing.”
Lauren also spent time exploring a nearby nature preserve during daily walks or horseback rides during the COVID-19 lockdown. Nature became her place to relax and keep her grounded.
“To me, Illinois is the perfect blend of nature and city life, and I feel lucky to have grown up with the best of both worlds,” she shared.
Lauren chose the University of Minnesota’s Sustainable Systems Management (SSM) program because of similarities to her home. Continue reading about Lauren's SSM journey!
Student Spotlight
Ben Schiltz is a Sustainable Systems Management major in the Sustainable Products Business Management specialization.
Learn about why Ben chose SSM!
Brooke Brenden is a Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering major in the Bioproducts Engineering specialization.
Learn about why Brooke chose BBE!
BBE News
Reflecting on a career fueled by curiosity, chemistry, and connection
Over the past 30 years, Prof. Ulrike Tschirner has taught and mentored hundreds of students in the field of biomass conversion and renewable energy. She is the first faculty member that many students meet, and she is one of the most-loved instructors on campus.
"She's a resource for everyone in the department," said Mia Nelson, a senior undergraduate in the BBE program. "People who didn't even have her as their official advisor go to her and say, 'What do I do?'"
Her retirement this spring is an occasion to celebrate her many contributions.
BBE alum turned a co-op into a multi-million dollar project career
While studying at the University of Minnesota, Marc Baldemor was drawn to the food engineering track in the Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering department. He saw the food industry as both dynamic and resilient, offering a wide range of career opportunities across different products and sectors.
“I’ve always wanted to work in the food industry,” said Baldemor. “It stood out to me for its variety and long-term stability.”
That decision proved especially timely, as he graduated just before the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the most influential courses for Baldemor was Transport Phenomena. “It was the hardest class I took, and later the most applicable in industry.”
Beyond the classroom, Baldemor emphasizes the importance of career fairs. “I spoke with several companies at the career fair, including some I wasn’t familiar with at the time, like Cargill. That single conversation set the foundation for my entire career.”
Inside the career of a BBE alumna leading pharmaceutical projects worldwide
When Olivia Veloske chose the Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (BBE) program at the University of Minnesota, she was drawn to its small class sizes and close-knit community. With a natural aptitude for math and science and a deep interest in environmental sustainability, she found the Bioproducts Engineering track to be the perfect fit. "The small class sizes helped me excel academically and build strong connections with my peers and professors," she reflects.
Throughout her undergraduate journey, Olivia gained diverse experiences that shaped her career path. Starting with an internship at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture after her freshman year, she explored the governmental side of engineering.
The following two summers, she interned at a medical device startup, where she discovered her passion for working in smaller, dynamic companies. These internships, combined with her later work at the Department of Transportation on chemistry-heavy projects like bridge sampling, solidified her interest in process engineering and working in smaller organizations.
Awards & Honors
Professor Roger Ruan receives Award for Excellence in Academic Service Unit
Professor Roger Ruan is the recipient of the 2025 Award for Excellence in Academic Unit Service for outstanding contributions to his academic unit.
This award recognizes exceptional service that has strengthened the functioning and climate of the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering. This is the third year of the award, which is a collaborative initiative of the Provost's Office and the Faculty Consultative Committee.
Teaching Associate Professor Rebecca Forman receives the 2025 Richard C. Newman Impact Award
Dr. Forman was chosen for her exemplary dedication to undergraduate education, positive influence on students’ academic and personal growth, and commitment to enhancing the student experience.
Bruce Johnson receives BBE's 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award
BBE is proud to announce Bruce Johnson as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his decades-long leadership, service, and impact in the forest products industry and within the University of Minnesota community.
A 1979 graduate in Forest Products Marketing, Johnson is a successful entrepreneur and industry leader who has made significant contributions to education, research, and student development through his long-standing partnership with the department. For more than 20 years—including six years as Chair—he has served on the Department Advisory Council, offering guidance and strategic insight that has shaped the evolution of the department.
Johnson played a pivotal role in the transition to Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering and in the creation of the Sustainable Systems Management program. His leadership helped modernize and expand the department’s academic offerings to reflect the evolving needs of the bioproducts industry.
Beyond his leadership, Johnson has served as a mentor to over 25 students, hosted dozens of student tours at Viking Forest Products, and led the development of a recruitment program that has hired 41 interns—with 26 now working as U of M alumni at the company. His commitment to student success also includes spearheading the creation of a scholarship endowment supporting future generations of BBE students.
The BBE Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni who have achieved professional distinction in industry, academia, government, or the nonprofit sector. Recipients must hold a degree from the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering or one of its predecessor departments prior to the 2006 merger, and demonstrate sustained excellence and leadership in their field.
Patricia Popescu receives BBE's 2025 Early Career Alumni Award
BBE is proud to recognize Patricia Popescu as an outstanding example of early-career success and impact. A 2018 graduate of the BBE program, Popescu earned both a Bachelor of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, completing both rigorous degrees in just three years. During her time as a student, she balanced multiple part-time roles on campus and completed internships with NatureWorks, Cargill, and 3M.
Following graduation, Popescu joined NatureWorks as a Research Scientist, where she received several promotions for her contributions to the company’s innovation initiatives. Most recently, she accepted a new position as Senior Capital Project Engineer at BioMADE, a role in which she will play a key part in designing and building a network of 12–15 pilot and demonstration facilities across the United States—advancing the future of bioindustrial manufacturing.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Popescu has been a dedicated ambassador for the BBE department. She has participated in numerous outreach and recruitment efforts, including serving on open house panels and guest-speaking in the BBE 1001 Orientation course, both as a student and as an alumna.
Patricia Popescu exemplifies the purpose of the Early-Career Alumni Award, which honors a graduate of BBE or SSM who has achieved exceptional early success and shows strong potential to make significant contributions to their field. Award recipients must have received their degree within the past 10 years and demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following areas: Research and development, education and outreach, and management and policy.
BBSEM graduate student Nandin Ganjoloo receives Distinguished Poster Presenter Award
The 2025 CFANS Research Symposium on March 20 brought together undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to share their research projects in agricultural innovation, natural resource and environmental sciences. The third annual event highlighted diverse and innovative research projects undertaken by CFANS students, providing a platform for them to share their findings and refine their presentation skills.
Nandin Ganjoloo (pictured right in the yellow blazer) was awarded the Distinguished Poster Presenter Award for her presentation titled: Building a Genetic Toolbox for Brown Rot Fungi: The Flashlight. This year’s symposium featured an impressive 13 oral presentations and 89 poster presentations (open Proceedings PDF to view all 2025 abstracts).
Department promotions
Dr. Omar Espinoza promoted to full professor.
Dr. Espinoza's research interests are in forest products marketing and management, mass timber, wood modification, urban and reclaimed wood utilization, and circular economy. He teaches courses in sustainable manufacturing, product development and management, and marketing of biobased products.
Dr. Rebecca Forman promoted to teaching associate professor. Dr. Forman's research focuses on the impacts construction and industrial stormwater have on aquatic systems, and she seeks novel ways to minimize turbid or contaminated runoff from leaving these sites.
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Join us for the 2025 Lake States TAPPI Golf Outing supporting BBE student scholarships
The annual Lake States TAPPI Golf Outing returns on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, and you're invited to take part in a day of golf, networking, and giving back. Proceeds from this event will directly support scholarships for students in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering.
This year’s event offers two ways to participate:
Option 1: Virtual (Play your own course)
- Tee Time: Anytime before or on June 17, 2025
- Location: Your favorite 18-hole course
- Course Requirements: Par 72, minimum 6,500 yards
Option 2: In-Person at Les Bolstad Golf Course
- Tee Time: Between 11:40 a.m. and 12:50 p.m.
- Location: University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf
Post-Golf Reception
- Time: Begins at 4:00 p.m.
Location: Insight Brewing | 2821 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55413
The BBE Erosion and Stormwater Management Certification Program had a record year of attendance. This last season the program trained over 4,144 attendees in stormwater workshops in our classroom, online, and field courses combined. Additionally, 13 online webinars were offered which reached as many as 100 people per webinar.
For information about future webinars or to see recordings of previous webinars, visit the program's website.Interested in supporting BBE?