2015 2016 igert graduate students students.pdf · 2015-03-12 · 2014 – 2015 igert graduate...
TRANSCRIPT
2015 – 2016 IGERT
Graduate Students
Tiffany Carter (Trainee)
Department: Agronomy
I am from Kansas City, MO. I received my B.S. in Biology from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO in May of 2012. I received my M.S. in Grain Science from Kansas State University in December of 2014. My M.S. research focused on using amphiphilic peptide solution for hemostasis. Though I am new to the program, I look forward to working toward my PhD in Agronomy. My PhD research will be related to soil microbial ecology and carbon cycling in bioenergy cropping system.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I especially enjoy spending time with my daughter. I also enjoy movies, bowling, and playing my guitar.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Charles Rice from the department of Agronomy.
Email: [email protected]
2014 – 2015 IGERT
Graduate Students
Jared Carson (Trainee)
Department: Chemical Engineering
I am a Navy veteran with 6 years of service as a nuclear power
student, nuclear operator, and maintenance supervisor. I enlisted in
2004 with the intention of seeing the world and using my GI Bill to
attend college and receive an undergraduate degree. After being
honorably discharged in 2010, I began the Bachelor of Science in
chemical engineering program at the University of New Hampshire and
graduated with honors in May of 2014.
In the summer of 2013 I was fortunate enough to participate in the
Sustainable Bioenergy REU program at Kansas State. There I was
able to contribute to ongoing research into the fabrication of
membranes for use in a membrane reactor to generate biofuels. This
was a fascinating experience which made me decide to continue my
education beyond undergrad. I will begin the PhD program for
chemical engineering at Kansas State in August of 2014.
My interests include learning, playing sports, watching football, listening
to music, spending time with friends, reading, and playing video games.
I look forward to the years I’ll be able to spend at Kansas State and the
opportunities the IGERT program will present.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Mary Rezac in the chemical engineering
department.
Email: [email protected]
Iryna McDonald (Trainee)
Department: Agronomy
Sarocha Pradyawong (Associate)
Department: Biological and Agricultural
Engineering
I am originally from Ukraine. When I graduated from high school, I
decide to take agricultural classes at the Illintsi State Technical School
in Ukraine. After graduating in 2001, from this school I receive a
Diploma of Junior Specialist with specialization crop production. In
2005 I completed my BS degree in agronomy and Biology at Vinnitsa
State Agrarian University in Ukraine. In May 2006 I graduated from
Vinnitsa State Agrarian University with a Master of Science degree in
Agriculture. During my student years I was involved in the studies of
soy beans, lupines and canola.
I also have been teaching agronomy at Colby Community College, and
working part time as agricultural technician at NW Research Extension
Center.
I am particularly interested in forages and bioenergy crops. My ultimate
career goals is teaching and researching at a large university and
Ph.D. in agronomy will help me achieve these career goals.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Doo-Hong Min from the department of
agronomy.
Email: [email protected]
The fantastic motivation of Science and Engineer had driven me to
compete and get a scholarship to study in the faculty of Science,
Mahidol University, Thailand. By learning huge knowledge from many
great lecturers and scientists there, helping me to find out that I really
interested in the field of bioprocess engineering. My senior project for
Bachelor's degree is “DHA production from microalgae". After that, I
received a scholarship to study Master degree at Asian Institute of
Technology (AIT), Thailand. I did my Master thesis, Bioethanol
production, at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), USA.
Now I have gotten GRA position and pursued Ph.D. in Biological and
Agricultural Engineering (BAE) at Kansas State University since spring
2014. I am now working hard and wish I shall produce some useful
research in the field of Biofuel soon.
Not only I love to join many social activities but also like to play table
tennis, badminton and many kinds of sport. Whenever I have free
times, I sometimes play piano and several Thai musical instruments.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Donghai Wang from the department of
Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
Email: [email protected]
Krishna Pokharel (Trainee)
Department: Agricultural Economics
I earned my undergraduate degree at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, with
major in mathematics and economics. Before coming to the United
States, I was actively involved in rural areas of Nepal to provide
advisory services about the use of forest resources, biogas, and forest
conservation to farmers aside from teaching mathematics, economics,
and environment science. In addition, I also enjoyed working as a
trainer to empower women, human right, good governance and
increase farmer’s access to local government.
I completed an M.S. degree with a major in economics and minor in
statistics from South Dakota State University in 2009. Currently I am
working towards a Ph.D. degree in agricultural economics with
specialization in finance, econometrics, and energy economics. The
focus of my research is to examine the economic implication of biofuel
as an alternative source of energy and evaluate the impact of
production of biofuel on land use and cash rent in USA using sound
econometric techniques. Understanding these decisions making
frameworks is crucial because to consider biofuel as an alternative
resource to fossil fuel energy, it will need to be at least as economically
efficient as fossil fuels and its negative impact on environment should
be no larger than the fossil fuels. I think, from this research, many
economic implications can be drawn and used to make government
policies about biofuel production to make the better world.
In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music and reading
entrepreneurship and motivational books. I also really like to travel with
my family and friends and play soccer and volleyball.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Jason Bergtold from the department of
agricultural economics.
Email: [email protected]
Patrick Rissler (Trainee)
Department: Sociology
Kaelin Saul (Trainee)
Department: Biological and Agricultural
Engineering
I received my BA and MA in history from Pittsburg State University,
Pittsburg KS. Prior to returning academia I worked as a field mechanic
for a Caterpillar dealership and then for Link-belt cranes, covering a 5
state region. In 2009 with the economic crisis I had the opportunity to
return to school and start my MA in history. After I finished my MA in
history, I came to Kansas State University to take part in the GIS
graduate certificate and started my studies in sociology receiving my
MA in sociology in 2014. Now I am pursuing my PhD in sociology, my
areas of concentration are rural and political sociology.
My research is looking at the creation of small-scale biodiesel facilities
in rural communities as a community building project. It includes the
creation of networks between producers of WVO and both farmer
COOP’s and rural school districts. I am looking at both vegetable oil
based biodiesel, and black diesel (biodiesel based upon used oil from
vehicles and equipment). The outcome of this network would be to
assist these communities in offsetting the growing expense of
petroleum based diesel.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Laszlo Kulcsar in the chemical engineering
department.
I spend my free time with my kids, cooking, camping, and reading.
Email: [email protected]
I graduated from North Carolina State University in 2014 with a
Bachelor’s degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) with
a concentration in bioprocessing. I was actively involved in the NC
State student branch of American Society of Agricultural and Biological
Engineering (ASABE) as I started as a member and ended as the
president. I also received the ASABE Student Honors Award and I was
the only recipient of the award in 2013. I was the final BAE department
nominee for the College of Engineering Leadership Award.
For the senior capstone project, my design group fabricated a
bioreactor that would be used to extract lipids from the fungus,
Mortierella isabellina, for biodiesel production and high-value products.
For the first semester, we observed the growth of M. isabellina and
determined whether the fungus grew better with xylose or glucose as a
carbon source. The growth curves from the experiment demonstrated
that xylose was the better carbon source.
In my free time, I play golf, run, and enjoy spending time with my
family.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Donghai Wang from the Biological and
Agricultural Engineering department.
Email: [email protected]
2013 – 2014 IGERT
Graduate Students
Frank Nti (Trainee)
Department: Agricultural Economics
Matthew Young (Trainee)
Department: Chemical Engineering
My undergraduate study was at the University of Ghana, where I obtained a BS in Agriculture – majoring in Agricultural Economics with Animal Science as a minor. In December 2012, I graduated from Kansas State University with an MS in Agricultural Economics. My areas of research focus were natural resource management and international development. As such, my MS thesis investigated strategies employed by rural farmers in Northern Ghana to mitigate the impact of climate change. Currently I’m pursing a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics with specializations in Agribusiness management and Energy economics. My current research examines the economic implication of biofuel as an alternative source of renewable energy, and how the increasing expansion of biofuel production is likely to impact land value and use in Kansas. In my free time, I enjoy listening to Christian music, playing and watching soccer, and spending time with friends. My IGERT mentor is Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu from the department of agricultural economics. Email: [email protected]
In 2011, I earned my B.S. in chemical engineering from Mississippi
State University. During my time as an undergraduate, I worked as a
lab assistant helping to study algae cultivation for use as a bio-
feedstock and stimuli-responsive polymer films. Now I am working
towards a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. The focus of my research is
the use of atomic force microscopy to understand the kinetics of
catalytic hydrogenation reactions at solid-liquid interfaces.
In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music and reading.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Peter Pfromm from the department of
chemical engineering.
E-mail: [email protected]
2012 – 2013 IGERT
Graduate Students
Nana Baah Appiah-Nkansah (Trainee)
Department: Biological.& Agricultural Engineering
I believe I am designed to make things happen. I received my Bachelor
of Science degree in Agricultural Engineer from Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology, Ghana, West Africa, in 2003. I
designed and constructed a hybrid crop dryer as my undergraduate
capstone project. The system utilizes solar energy and liquefied
petroleum gas to dry high valued agriculture produce. I then joined
Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture where I served as an
Agricultural Engineer. I provided technical advisory services to farmers
in the rural areas on the selection, use, and operation of appropriate
mechanization techniques; appropriate soil and water conservation
practices, etc.
In 2009, I earned a Master of Science degree in Agro-bioresources
Science and Technology at University of Tsukuba, Japan. In Japan, I
successfully authored and published a scientific paper titled “Problem
Structural Analysis of the Irrigation Systems in the Upper West Region
of Ghana,’’ in the Journal of Developments in Sustainable Agriculture.
This research focused on the effective course of action for sustainable
irrigation management through the introduction of Participatory
Irrigation Management.
I like watching and playing soccer, reading, and listening to good
music. I enjoy being an inspiration to others and I believe that all things
are possible!
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Donghai Wang from the department of
biological and agricultural engineering.
Email: [email protected]
Gustavo Correa (Trainee)
Department: Sociology
Michael Heidlage (Trainee)
Department: Chemical Engineering
I earned my undergraduate degree at University of Florida, Gainesville, in Agricultural and Biological Engineering B. S. with emphasis in Operation Management. After it, I completed my courses in M.S. Grain Science and Industry with emphasis in ethanol production from Kansas State University. However, before it I worked with poor farmers as UMATA Director (Municipal Unit of Agricultural Technical Assistance) in Restrepo City (Valle – Colombia), and I worked as Director of Program TADES (Appropriate Technologies for Sustainable Development) at Universidad del Valle (University of Valle in Cali – Colombia).
Once I read the book “Steppenwolf” written by Hermann Hesse; the author says that during the life of a human being, each moment reflects a singular personality determined by a different ego, where this ego carries on a very particular knowledge, and he says also that the art of life must be like in chess, which depending on the moments, the chess player must analyze what pieces worth using, and stating that according to each circumstance would need to use different personalities represented by each chess piece. In fact, what I can say about myself is that I have multiple skills such as an agricultural and biological engineer, a rural extension technician, a mathematics and natural sciences teacher in Florida, a socialist politician in Colombia, a baking technician, a bioprocessing and biofuel scientist, etc., and each one is part of my entire person as a human being that always has been interacting with the surrounding society. I am a mix of multiples “egos”, trying to move the pieces of the chess on the right way during my professional and academic life to give my best, and I have been cultivating myself in a holistic way to be a better member of the community that I belong.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Gerad Middendorf from the department of sociology.
Email: [email protected]
I earned my B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of
Missouri – Columbia where my research focused on the development
and optimization of convection batteries. I am currently pursuing a
Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Kansas State University.
My present research focuses on catalytic upgrading of bio-oil using
polymeric membranes. Current industrial hydrogenation processes can
require extreme reaction conditions which present large cost and safety
concerns. The use of polymeric membranes could eliminate these
issues. My research focuses on proving and optimizing this concept.
I enjoy spending my free time with my family.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Peter Pfromm from the department of
chemical engineering.
E-mail: [email protected]
Michelle Horstmeier (Trainee)
Department: Sociology
Michael Wales (Trainee) Department: Chemical Engineering
I am originally from Columbia, Missouri. I received my B.A in Sociology with a minor in Anthropology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. After graduating, I went onto my Master's program at Iowa State University, co-majoring in Rural Sociology and Sustainable Agriculture. My main research interests include climate change, sustainable agriculture, rural and international development, and changing attitudes towards agriculture. I am really excited to bring my sociological background to the program, and hope to increase the understanding the future of bio energy through the Sociological framework. I enjoy hiking, biking, and running with my dog, Porsche. As a child, I grew up on a farm and around numerous animals, so I enjoy being outside and working in a garden. Although, I am not sure if I will be able to start one at my current location. I also enjoy boating and camping with my friends and family when I have the time.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Laszlo Kulcsar from the department of sociology.
Email: [email protected]
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where I attended the University of California, Santa Cruz from 1999-2004. I have my bachelor’s in Chemistry and I worked for several years in both the biotech industry and the environmental analytical chemistry. Growing up I liked to work on cars and take things apart, coupling this with my interest in chemistry lead me to pursue my graduate degree in chemical engineering. I am very interested in biofuels and sustainability and hope to learn as much as possible on these subjects.
In my free time I enjoy outdoor activities such as rock-climbing and hiking. I also really enjoy team sports such as rugby and basketball.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Mary Rezac from the department of chemical engineering.
Email: [email protected]
Vanessa Walker (Trainee)
Department: Agronomy
Yixing Zhang (Associate)
Department: Grain Science and Industry
In December 2010, I earned a B.S. in Agriculture from Prairie View
A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. In January 2011, I began
working for United States Department of Agriculture as a Soil
Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Upon
working with many landowners and farmers, my interest in
conservation-minded production grew, and I decided to pursue a Ph.D.
in agronomy at Kansas State University.
I have worked and/or studied in different places including Ghana, West
Africa, North Dakota, Kansas, and Texas. These places allowed me the
opportunity to see many different types of people and different
perspectives on farming practices. My research at K-State will allow me
to study the effects of conservation farming.
In my free time, I like to travel and spend time with my family and
friends.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Charles Rice from the department of
agronomy.
E-mail: [email protected]
I earned my B.S. from China Agriculture University in food quality and safety in 2008. I completed my M.S in 2010 from the department of grain science and industry in Kansas State University. My M.S research was focused on bioproduction of a platform chemical by using recombinant E.coli. I cloned a gene from cyanobacteria into E.coli cells, and the enzyme encoded by this gene was successfully expressed and was functional to synthesize the product-cyanophycin, which is a biodegradable polypeptide that can be used as a substitute for the non-biodegradable polyacrylate in plastics.
Currently, I am a Ph.D. student working in bioprocessing and renewable energy laboratory within grain science and industry department. My research focuses on production of D (-) lactic acid from paper industry residues with a genetically modified lactic acid bacteria using simultanesou saccharification and fermentation process.
In my free time, I enjoy painting, reading, photography and jogging.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Praveen Vadlani from the department of grain science and industry.
Email: [email protected]
2011-2012 IGERT
Graduate Students
Patrick Bollin (Trainee)
(Starting Spring 2012 term)
Department: Chemical Engineering
Elizabeth Boyer (Trainee)
Department: Chemical Engineering
I received a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Science from The University of
Toledo in 2008, but decided to leave the pharmacy program to earn an
M.S. in Chemical Engineering in Summer/Fall 2011. My thesis research
first focused on enzyme catalyzed transesterification in ionic liquids, but
quickly turned to the production of value added chemicals, specifically
acrylates, from biomass.
Throughout my research, my interest in sustainable energy has grown,
and I decided to pursue a Ph.D. at KSU so that I may continue my
studies as part of the IGERT program.
In my free-time I like to participate in cyclocross races, hike, play
sports, and restore furniture.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Peter Pfromm from the department of
chemical engineering.
Email: [email protected]
I was born in Maine but soon after moved to Texas, then Iceland, then
Kansas, then Nebraska, and my parents finally settled down near
Chicago where I graduated from high school. In 2011, I graduated from
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Chemical
Engineering. Working with a professor, I researched the optimal
conditions for dilute acid extraction of fiber from whole stillage and the
effects of adding multiple stages of enzyme hydrolysis to this
pretreated biomass.
I have been a teacher’s assistant for both Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering classes for several years. I realized that I enjoy teaching
and in the future I want to be a full time professor. In my free time I like
to run, hike, read adventure books or Manga, watch movies, paint, and
look at art. I am helping my cousin edit the book he is writing and am
also working on illustrations for it.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Mary Rezac from the department of chemical
engineering.
Email: [email protected]
Oliver Freeman (Trainee)
Department: Agronomy
Brian Lauer (Trainee)
Department: Agricultural Economics
I am originally from Johns Island, SC. and grew up on a farm raising
primarily commercial fruits and vegetables. Also, grew up a member of
4-H. In 2005, I received a B.S. degree in Agronomy, concentrating in
Soil Science from North Carolina State University. I received an M.S.
of Soil Science from Prairie View A&M University in 2008. My thesis
was on Corn response to two different mineral fertilizers in addition to
nitrogen. Currently, I am pursuing my Ph.D. in agronomy focusing in
crop production and ecology. My dissertation is on winter cover crops
in a corn-forage sorghum crop rotation system.
As we know, both corn grain and stover (stems, leaves, etc.)
can and are being used for ethanol production. However, past
research has shown that forage sorghum can produce more of both
grain and stover than corn, with less input as well. Also, many rural
areas have the issues of water and wind erosion, and nitrate pollution
of groundwater. Adding a winter cover crop after corn and/or forage
sorghum harvest can help deal with these issues by providing a ground
cover to reduce water and wind erosion, while cover crop roots can
help to uptake and hold extra nitrogen not used by the corn/forage
sorghum crop to reduce nitrate leaching into groundwater. Cover crops
also have the potential to add nitrogen which can reduce the cost for
additional fertilizer input (legumes).
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Mary Beth Kirkham from the department of
agronomy.
Email: [email protected]
In December 2009 I earned a B.S. in Agricultural Technology
Management with a minor in Business Administration from Kansas
State University. I began working on a M.S. in Agricultural Economics
in January of 2010. After a year of school I decided to continue on and
work towards a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics which I will begin in
August of 2011. My M.S. research focuses on the land use changes
associated with the emergence of ethanol plants. From that, many
economic and environmental implications can be drawn and used to
form future policies addressing the production of biofuels and their
feedstocks.
Aside from school, I grew up on a small custom hay and forage
harvesting operating in Northeast Kansas. I really enjoy the custom
harvest scene and look forward to every fall when the season rolls
around. I’m also an avid Kansas State athletics supporter and enjoy
watching mostly all college and professional sports. Other hobbies
include working with computers and outdoor activities such as golf and
fishing. I also like to spend time with friends and get to know new
people.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Jason Bergtold
from the department of agricultural
economics.
Email: [email protected]
Michael Lindbloom (Trainee)
Department: Agricultural Economics
Andrew McGowan (Trainee)
Department: Agronomy
I earned a B.S. in Finance and B.S. in Economics from the University of
Illinois at Chicago in 2008. After a brief stint in the working world I
returned to academia, earning an M.S. in Agribusiness Economics from
Southern Illinois University in 2011. Here I worked with Dr. Wanki
Moon to study how motivation affects dietary behaviors.
At Kansas State I am working towards a Ph.D. in Agriculture
Economics and am very excited to study the bio-fuel industry from an
economic standpoint. My other academic interests are primarily related
to production and distribution of healthy food, along with community
farming, farm to school programs and organic permaculture farming.
In my spare time, if I’m not hanging out with my wonderful wife and our
two dogs, you can most likely find me running, hiking, or reading.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Jeff Peterson from the department of
agricultural economics.
Email: [email protected]
I earned my undergraduate degree at Kansas State University in
Agronomy with a minor in Chinese. My Ph.D. work at K-State involves
monitoring changes in soil organic carbon and nitrous oxide gas
emissions from different biofuel cropping systems in order to better
understand the ability of biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Increasing organic carbon in soils equates to storing more atmospheric
carbon dioxide photosynthesized by plants, partially decreasing
atmospheric concentrations. Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas
produced in high amounts when nitrogen is applied to soils in
agriculture. Selecting biofuel crops that minimize nitrous oxide
emissions and maximize carbon sequestration will help ensure using
biofuel reduces emissions compared to fossil fuels.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time outside hiking and camping with
friends, or reading novels.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Charles Rice from the department of
agronomy.
Email: [email protected]
Leidy Pena Duque (Associate)
Department: Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Kyle Probst (Trainee)
Department: Grain Science and Industry
I earned my B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2004 from the National
University of Colombia. I worked with the Physical-Chemical research
group and I wrote my B.S. thesis with the advice of Dr. Jairo Quijano. In
2005, I worked as an instructor at the same university. Then, I worked
in the Coal Analysis Lab in Medellin-Colombia for two years. In 2008, I
came to the United States to study at the Graduate School in Kansas
State University.
In 2010, I got a master from the Biological and Agricultural Engineering
department at K-State. Currently, I am working in my doctorate at the
same department with the research group on biorenewable fuels. My
area of studies is bionanotechnology. In my research topic, I am trying
to apply nanotechnology to the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass for
the later conversion of its constitutive sugars to ethanol. In the future, I
want to work as faculty at the National University of Colombia and I
want to live in the beautiful city of Medellin which is located in the
South-American Andes.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Donghai Wang from the department of
biological and agricultural engineering.
Email: [email protected]
I earned my B.S. and M.S. from Purdue University in food science in
2008 and agricultural systems management in 2010, respectively. At
Purdue, my research focused on developing a novel granulation
process to enhance the handling and transportation of distillers grains
from corn ethanol production. I also had the opportunity to work on
developing a sustainable, reduced waste food process for the tortilla
manufacturing industry.
Currently, I am a Ph.D. student working in the BIVAP program within K-
State’s grain science and industry department. My research project will
investigate the production of single cell oils from renewable materials
that can be used as input for advanced biofuels. Additional research
interests include sustainable, integrated processing for the food and
biofuel industries, and bio-fermentation for value-added products and
co-product utilization. The IGERT program provides a fantastic
opportunity to collaborate with students and faculty on developing novel
solutions for the renewable energy sector.
At K-State, I am an active member in the grain science graduate
student organization, graduate student council, and the inline hockey
club. In my spare time I enjoy brushing up on my home brewing skills,
playing hockey and golf, and socializing with friends and family.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Praveen Vadlani from the department of grain
science and industry.
Email: [email protected]
John Stanford (Trainee)
Department: Chemical Engineering
In 2010 I completed my bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering
and music performance with a minor in mathematics at the University of
Iowa. My engineering studies focused on biological signal/data
collection and analysis and medical device/implant design. My main
project was the design and construction of a device used for the rapid
detection of hemozoin, a byproduct of malarial infection, in a blood
sample. My musical studies were classical double bass performance.
The past year I have worked for a company that manufactures
chemicals for medical uses. My growing interest in chemistry over the
past several years is what led me to the chemical engineering graduate
program at Kansas State.
In my free time I enjoy playing music, bike riding, and traveling to
places to SCUBA dive.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Mary Rezac from the department of chemical
engineering.
Email: [email protected]
2010-2011 IGERT
Graduate Students
Todd Ballard (Trainee)
Department: Agronomy
Jason Fewell (Trainee)
Department: Agricultural Economics
I earned my bachelor’s in mathematics with a minor in agriculture from Western Kentucky University in 2001. Following a short career in insurance, I returned to WKU to earn my master’s degree in agriculture. I applied exponential decay models for grain yield and hyperbolic growth models for aboveground biomass to modern corn varieties. At Kansas State I am working with grain, forage, and sweet cultivars of sorghum in search of ethanol production from their by-products. I am also looking for a single-year oil crop combination to use in rotation with the sorghum for a biofuel cropping system. Oil crops provide animal and human feed value from their seeds along with oils, either directly for biodiesel use or they can be recycled for biodiesel use after their cooking lifespan has expired. This IGERT program allows me to follow the production of biofuels from crop production through fuel processing. In my personal time I enjoy spending time with my wife and two daughters. We often visit Manhattan’s city parks and fish on occasion. Manhattan provides a residence halfway between my wife’s family in Colorado Springs and my family in southwestern Indiana. At least once a year we attend an event of my lifelong passion of boat racing. My family has participated in events with local affiliates of the National Down Syndrome Society in Nashville, Tennessee; Bowling Green, Kentucky; Manhattan, Kansas; and Kansas City, Missouri. My IGERT mentor is Dr. Scott Staggenborg from the department of agronomy. Email: [email protected]
I earned a B.S. and M.S. in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University in 2007 and 2009, respectively, with a specialization in agricultural finance. I am now pursuing a Ph.D. in agricultural economics where my research includes studying the willingness of farmers to adopt new technologies, and more specifically, studying their willingness to supply biomass for cellulosic ethanol production.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Jason Bergtold from the department of agriculture economics.
Email: [email protected]
Adrian Martinez (Associate)
Department: Grain Science and Industry
Ronny Michalsky (Associate)
Department: Chemical Engineering
I completed my undergraduate studies at the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) in Monterrey, México. I then came to Kansas State University and completed a M.S. in 2008 from the department of grain science and industry. My M.S. research focused on food safety in feed processing facilities primarily looking at feed manufacturing strategies to prevent drug carryover.
I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. from the same department. My research focuses on post-harvest engineering, specifically biomass logistics simulation modeling. I am currently working on improving quantification accuracy of feedstock availability, given a plant location using a geographical information system. I will be able to modify and enhance an existing system simulation model to analyze the transportation and receiving operations of biomass feedstock delivered from in-field/on-farm storage locations to the receiving facility of a cellulosic ethanol plant.
In 2010, I became an IGERT associate in the department of grain science and industry. Dr. Dirk Maier is my IGERT mentor.
Email: [email protected]
I studied biotechnology in Germany and received a M.S.-equivalent degree from the University of Applied Science, Giessen in 2008. Focusing on bioprocess engineering my practical thesis work revolved around testing the physical stability and ultrafiltration-based purification of an insect virus solution used to manufacture recombinant proteins such as vaccines.
Since 2008, I have been a Ph.D. student in chemical engineering at Kansas State University. Following my personal interest in process engineering utilizing processes of rather moderate complexity compared to biological processes, my current research studies sustainable production of ammonia based on an inorganic reaction cycle driven by concentrated sunlight providing solarthermal heat. .
I like to spend my free time with the people I value, travelling, and playing sports and piano.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Peter Pfromm from the department of chemical engineering.
Email: [email protected]
Bryon Parman (Trainee)
Department: Agricultural Economics
Anne Rigdon (Trainee)
Department: Grain Science and Industry
In 2006, after completing two overseas deployments to the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Mediterranean Sea, I left the Navy where I served as a fire control (missile systems) radar tech and a primary Navy search and rescue swimmer. I completed a B.A. in December 2009 with a major in history and minor in political science from Peru State College (NE). In May of 2010 I earned an M.S. in economics from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. At Kansas State I am working towards a Ph.D. in agricultural economics.
At Nebraska my research focused on commodity markets and ag real estate sales. I looked at corn futures and options and their reaction to both biofuel policy mandates and non-commercial trader participation. I also worked on a grant from the State of Nebraska Game and Parks to establish in stream water values along the Niobrara River based on ag land prices, the marginal value of irrigation, potential irrigation, hydroelectric power, and recreation.
In my spare time I enjoy riding my motorcycle, playing chess, and watching collegiate sports.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu from the department of agricultural economics.
Email: [email protected]
I received my B.S. in food science from South Dakota University in 2006. I fell in love with microbiology while completing courses toward a minor in microbiology as an undergrad and decided to further pursue this interest with a master's degree in food science with an emphasis on food mycology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At Nebraska my research focused on inhibiting fungal growth using fermentation by-products as a preservative. This further increased my interest in fermentations and utilizing fungal cultures as a workhorse for fermentation processes. I became even more interested in utilizing microorganisms for the production of biofuels from biomass decided to being working on my Ph.D. in the department of grain science and industry at Kansas State University in August of 2009.
My area of research focuses on the impact of storage on the conversion efficiency of biomass to ethanol or other platform chemicals. I’m also looking into monitoring microbial populations present in stored biomass using molecular methods, along with monitoring changes in these populations and enzymatic activity during biomass storage.
When not focusing on research, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing with my dog, fishing, and attending various sporting events.
My IGERT mentor is Dr. Dirk Maier from the department of grain science and industry.
Email: [email protected]
Leslie Schulte (Trainee)
Department: Chemical Engineering
I completed my B.S. in mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas in 2010. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. I became interested in renewable energy after completing an internship at ExxonMobil's Chalmette Refinery. My research focuses on the production of polycarbonate precursors from epoxides. Current industrial processes use phosgene as a carbon source. Phosgene is highly toxic and was used as a chemical warfare agent in WWI. Alternatively, relatively benign carbon dioxide could replace phosgene. My research focuses on determining an appropriate catalyst to activate the carbon dioxide. When I’m not busy with school, I enjoy spending time baking, biking and taking Zumba and yoga classes. I am an active member of the Society of Women Engineers and co-founder of the chemical engineering graduate student group, ChEKS. My IGERT mentor is Dr. Mary Rezac from the department of chemical engineering.
Email: [email protected]