Project Managers:

A-F G-K L-P Q-Z

 

Audrey P. Gasch
Assistant Professor of Genetics & Faculty Member of the Genome Center of Wisconsin Laboratory of Genetics, UW-Madison
Focus Area: Bioconversion
Gasch’s research focuses on the response of yeast cells to diverse types of stressful environments. The lab uses interdisciplinary approaches, including functional and comparative genomics, genetics, and biochemistry, to elucidate the role and regulation of yeast stress-defense mechanisms. This information is being used to select and engineer S. cerevisiae strains that are highly resistant to the multiple stresses of ethanol production (including heat, osmolarity, acidity, and ethanol stress), while optimizing yeast metabolism for hemicellulose fermentation.

Stephen K. Hamilton
Professor, Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University
Focus area: Development of a Sustainable Bioenergy Economy
Hamilton is interested in the biogeochemical and hydrological implications of alternative biofuel production systems. Soil water fluxes, nutrient cycling and export, and greenhouse gas exchanges with the atmosphere are among the primary topics of investigation, in the context of field-scale experiments at Kellogg Biological Station.

Eric L. Hegg
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University
Focus Area: Bioconversion
The Hegg lab is broadly interested in the mechanism by which living organisms utilize metalloenzymes to catalyze the activation and/or biosynthesis of small molecules such as H2. Within the GLBRC, the Hegg lab is working with a team of scientists to improve the ability of microbial phototrophs to produce H2 directly from sunlight and water. Using cyanobacterial heterocysts as the model, the team is taking a multidisciplinary approach to modify and re-engineer cyanobacteria to optimize H2 production.

Kyung-Hwan Han
Associate Professor of Forestry and Genetics, Michigan State University
Focus Area: Improved Plant Biomass
Han’s research takes an integrated functional genomics approach to understanding the genetic controls of wood formation and secondary wall biosynthesis. The goal of his research is to identify and characterize transcriptional regulators that control secondary wall biosynthesis and vascular cambium activity in woody plants. The outcomes of his research will help us to optimize lignocellulosic feedstocks for improved biofuel productivity and processing

R. César Izaurralde
Laboratory Fellow, Joint Global Change Research Institute
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Univ. of Maryland
Focus area: Development of a Sustainable Bioenergy Economy
Izaurralde is a soil scientist with research experience in areas of sustainable agriculture, soil fertility, biogeochemical modeling, and climate change impacts modeling. The goal of the modeling efforts is to develop a comprehensive framework that enables the analysis of biomass cropping in reference to land use requirements and competition, environmental consequences (e.g., water balance, nitrogen balance, carbon balance, and soil quality), and competing energy technologies.

Randy Jackson
Assistant Professor of Grassland Ecology, Agronomy Department, UW-Madison
Focus area: Development of a Sustainable Bioenergy Economy
Jackson is examining how ecosystem services are influenced by diversity at many trophic levels. He is interested in finding ways to match biofuel cropping systems to environmental settings such that ecosystem services are optimized.

Shawn Kaeppler
Professor of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin
Focus Area: Improving Biomass for Biofuels
Kaeppler is an expert in maize genetics. The goal of his research is to characterize the molecular basis of endogenous alleles conditioning biomass accumulation and composition. Results from this research will allow us to more efficiently develop maize cultivars to be used in biofuel production. Furthermore, maize is an excellent model research system for other potential biomass crops including switchgrass and Miscanthus, and research from maize will be applicable to developing improved cultivars in these species as well.

Sasha Kravchenko
Associate Professor, Statistics in Agriculture Laboratory, Michigan State University
Focus Area: Development of a Sustainable Bioenergy Economy
Kravchenko studies spatial variability of soil properties and plant characteristics relating carbon sequestration and agricultural sustainability. Her areas of expertise are spatial statistics and design and planning of experiments for agricultural research at multiple scales.