Iowa State Center for Biorenewable Chemicals

Learn about alternative energy graduate programs, research, outreach and "fun stuff" at these great schools

CBiRC Offers Educational Opportunities For:

Biorenewable Chemicals Graduate minor

Summer Research Experience

Research experience for high school teachers

General Overview of Educational Programs

The CBiRC focuses its research on three interconnected segments:

Biocatalysis, Enzyme, and Microbial Engineering: This segment focuses biocatalysis efforts on fatty acid and polyketide biosynthetic pathways to enhance microbial production.

Chemical Catalysis and Catalyst Engineering: This segment of research entails coupling chemical catalysts and biocatalysts, which explores fatty acid and polyketide-based platform chemicals.

Testbed and Life Cycle Assessment: This segment allows for concepts and products to be tested for the proof-of-concept necessary for production.

More Research

Basak Cinlar, who just received her doctoral degree in chemical engineering with a minor in biorenewable resources and technology, won the GWC Student award in Biorenewables for her work in developing a comprehensive strategy for examining carbohydrate dehydration, which allowed her to develop a high yield process for converting glucose to other chemicals in an aqueous system.  The award was established as a memorial to the original vision of George Washington Carver who pioneered the creation and commercialization of sustainable biobased products from renewable agricultural feedstocks. See full story