A message from the Department Head
Gary R. Sands
Student Voices
Taking a year away from her University of Minnesota program to work at a pulp and paper mill was a benefit to Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering major Lauren Stach. The BBE student is glad she took an unusual path.
“It’s okay to take a few left turns in college,” says the senior, who has just a few credits left until she officially completes her degree requirements.
Among the benefits of the “co-op” year she took as a sophomore: she has friends from three years of her small, competitive program. One of them, Maddi Johnson, says: “She’s just going to be very successful.” Johnson notes that Stach also has work experience from this summer at Sun-Opta to add to her job-seeking resume.
BBE Summer Highlights
Get a glimpse of what BBE students have been up to this summer! Students keep busy with unique internships, co-ops, and experiences.
Student Spotlight
Alice Lesch is a Sustainable Systems Management major, and is the current vice president of BBE's student ambassador program.
Grace Wolf is a Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering major, and is the current president of BBE's student ambassador program.
BBE Discovery
A sweeter side of algae
Researchers in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering look into sugar producing algae and its potential as a more sustainable sugar crop.
Imagine a crop that has potential to produce near-infinite harvests. A crop that needs minimal fertilizer, no seeds to replant fields after the harvest, and no specific grow season or climate. Imagine that crop is algae, the green gooey stuff we see growing in ponds. This is what BBE Professor Brett Barney, Ph.D., and his research team are investigating.
Healthier foods have less environmental impact than processed foods
BBE Professor Jason Hill, Ph.D., and a team of researchers published a new study using publicly available information to derive first estimates of the environmental impact of >57,000 food products across four indicators: greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water stress, and eutrophication potential. The study points to healthier foods having less environmental impact than processed foods.
BBE researchers explore the use of Biochar and Iron-Enhanced Sands in septic systems
Adjunct Associate Professor Sara Heger, Ph.D., and Professor Bo Hu, Ph.D., study the effectiveness of Biochar, a highly porous bio-material, and iron-enhanced sand (IES) to enhance the treatment in septic systems of organic matter, bacteria and viruses, nitrogen and phosphorus.
Of the 600,000 subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS) processing over 40 billion gallons of wastewater per year in Minnesota, estimates put 25% of these SSTS on or near shoreland. Final treatment of sewage occurs in the soil within the septic system drain field. BBE researchers are exploring the benefits of Biochar and iron-enhanced sand (IES) in boosting the effectiveness of soil filtration.
BBE Professor, Roger Ruan, co-writes letter to Science Magazine: Minimize food loss and waste to prevent crises
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the associated economic and trade consequences have added to the global food security disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Russia produces 6 to 20% of the world’s potash, phosphate, and ammonia, and the trade embargo implemented in response to the invasion has led to increased demand for these important sources of fertilizer macronutrients.
In addition, Russia and Ukraine together account for 18 to 70% of global wheat, maize, and sunflower exports, and Ukraine maintains a large seed bank that is now at risk of destruction. The fall in exports has led to food shortages and increased prices, including maize and wheat price hikes that are, respectively, 55% and 91% higher than prices for those products in 2021. In the face of these challenges, strategies to ensure food security should be explored, including the prevention of food loss and waste.
Dairy farms & sustainability: A conversation with Dr. Erin Cortus
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Erin Cortus, Ph.D., sits down with Barb Liebenstein, owner of Wolf Creek Dairy in Dundas, MN, to discuss what sustainability looks like for dairy farmers, especially as the industry looks to reach Net Zero by 2050.
Barb and Erin discuss the challenges dairy farmers face when considering what sustainability practices best fit an individual farm. They also discuss how dairy farmers can have these challenging conversations about sustainability with a wider audience. Watch the full interview on YouTube.
BBE hosts "Biofuels to Brewing" course for high school teachers
The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering hosted a continuing education workshop (July 11-15) for high school teachers from across the Twin Cities. The course was led by Professor Ulrike Tschirner, Ph.D., and was funded as a part of Professor Shri Ramaswami's, Ph.D., DOE grant, in partnership with Gevo and ADM. Teachers became students for the week and learned about the fermentation processes on things from biofuels to beer.
A glance into graduate research
BBSEM graduate students present their thesis projects as one of the final steps to earning their Master's or Ph.D degree.
Isolation of Lignin-converting Microbes Contributing Towards Recalcitrant Carbon Degradation in Boreal Forest Systems
M.S. Graduate: Nandini Singh
Advisors: Jiwei Zhang, Ph.D.
Evaluating on-farm sampling strategies and corresponding gas emission estimation methods for livestock and poultry barns
M.S. Candidate: Noelle Cielito Soriano
Advisors: Erin Cortus, Ph.D.
Read Noelle Cielito Soriano's full abstract.
Alumni Spotlight
Awards & Honors
BBE Professor receives Linsley Award for Surface Water
Professor Bruce Wilson, Ph.D., conducts research focused on improving our understanding of hydrologic and water quality processes and erosion mechanics. He has received awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Center for Transportation Studies, and the Erosion Control Association.
The Ray K. Linsley Award was established in 1986 by the American Institute of Hydrology to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions in surface water hydrology. Professor Wilson is the recipient of the Distinguished Graduate and the Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Awards and the Charles E Bowers Teaching Award. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
BBE recognizes the retirement of Professor Jonathan Chaplin
Jonathan Chaplin, Ph.D., started at the University of Minnesota in July of 1983. His research and teaching areas included subjects in machinery design, engineering safety, and precision agriculture. Within BBE, Chaplin taught many courses over the years and was known for his passion around his subjects, his dry humor, and his clear and direct teaching style.
Thank you for all your years of service in BBE!
Upcoming Events & Announcements
BBE at the State Fair!
Join us for our annual BBE showcase! This year's event will be hosted in-person. Come recognize our scholarship recipients and explore our research during the poster sessions.
- 9:00-9:30am Meet & greet/coffee & bagels
- 9:30-11:00am Advisory Council Committee Meetings
- 11:00-1:00pm Scholarship Recognition Luncheon
- 1:00-3:30pm Advisory Council General meeting (all welcome)
- 3:30-5:00pm BBE Research Showcase and Networking Reception
BBE and SSM Capstone - Sponsor Q&A
We asked Charlie Schiappacasse (BBSEM alumnus), a research and development process engineer from Michael Foods, and Brian Weathers, President of HBW Solutions, to share why being a sponsor for BBE capstone is important to them. Read what they have to say about their experiences as a sponsor.
Have an idea for a future capstone project?