NCERC Welcomes Two New Visiting Research Fellows |
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We're excited to welcome two new Visiting Research Fellows: Colin Buck and Philip Kukielski.
Funded by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, NCERC’s nine-month fellowship program provides training and hands-on experience to prepare the next generation of engineers and scientists for work in mid- to high-skill jobs in the bioeconomy.
“NCERC is pleased to announce the hiring of Colin Buck and Philip Kukielski as NCERC’s newest Visiting Research Fellows,” said NCERC Executive Director John Caupert. “NCERC benefits greatly from mentoring recent college graduates who have specialized areas of study in biology, chemistry and engineering. We extend a special thank you to the Illinois Corn Marketing Board for providing the funding necessary to conduct the fellowship program.”
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You're Invited: ALAKA'I 2022 Summer Boot Camps Kick Off in July |
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Earlier this year, we announced a partnership with the University of Hawai'i at Hilo and Solano Community College to develop industry-relevant training for delivery in Hawaiʻi and across the United States. "Applied Life-Science Academy: Knowledge Advancing Industry" - aka Project ALAKA'I - will...
- Provide professional training to people changing careers, upgrading professional skills, pursuing vocational objectives, or interested in adding bioeconomy to their careers;
- Prepare additional instructors to establish bioeconomy trainings at their home institutions;
- Establish respect and understanding of multiple issues required to advance a sustainable bioeconomy industry, making participants more impactful and successful professionals; and
- Help expand knowledge, cultural appreciation, and approaches to sustainability that create life opportunities, environmental benefits, economic improvement, and sustainable development.
We are launching the first series of courses the week of July 17 at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. If you're interested in learning more or attending the boot camp, reach out to Jackie Hayes at jhayes@ethanolresearch.com. |
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NCERC Celebrates the Passing of the IL Industrial Biotechnology Partnership Act |
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On Friday, May 27, the Illinois Industrial Biotechnology Partnership Act was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker and establishes the Industrial Biotechnology Public-Private Partnership as a State-sponsored board consisting of specified members to promote and market Illinois as a destination for research, development and commercialization for industrial biotechnology.
The bill was passed unanimously by both the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate with bipartisan support. The Partnership will consist of 12 members, including the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Department of Labor, NCERC, and several other Illinois-based research organizations and companies that serve the biotechnology sector. The members of the Partnership will lead in leveraging Illinois’ existing assets and building incentives to attract new companies to the state to perform research and establish manufacturing facilities.
“The passing of Illinois Senate Bill 1693 is a significant step in the right direction for providing the support and incentives companies need to bring their biotechnology businesses to the state of Illinois,” said NCERC Executive John Caupert. “Now, centers like NCERC will be part of a network with a singular mission to attract more economic growth for our state. This activity will bring in more tax dollars, jobs, and other critical components to establish a burgeoning industry in Illinois.”
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In the Media: "NCERC at SIUE is leader in biofuels research"
Published by the Edwardsville Intelligencer on June 7, 2022
By Scott Marion, Staff Writer
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Nearly 20 years after it opened, the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continues to make an impact on a national and worldwide level.
The NCERC at SIUE is a nationally recognized research center dedicated to the development and commercialization of biofuels, specialty chemicals and other bio-based products. It is the only fully integrated research facility of its kind in the world.
The NCERC opened in 2003, but its origins date back to 1992, when the Illinois Corn Growers Association created the concept for an ethanol research pilot plant.
“In 1996, they went to Congress and presented this idea to freshman U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, who had just moved over from the House, and freshman U.S. Congressman John Shimkus, of an ethanol research pilot plant being located here in Illinois,” said NCERC Executive Director John Caupert. “The idea became reality under the research title of the 1996 Farm Bill and the ethanol research standard was born.
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NCERC Appears On-Stage at FEW 2022 |
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The NCERC team consisting of Jackie Hayes, Dr. Yan Zhang, and Dr. Jie Dong made multiple on-stage appearances at the 2022 Fuel Ethanol Workshop, providing the ethanol industry with updates regarding the exciting self-initiating research that helps contribute to building and strengthening markets for ethanol and coproduct markets.
Director of Business Development & Client Relations Jackie Hayes was the final presenter at preconference Ethanol 101 and gave new industry entrants an update on the exciting new markets for products that come from biocampuses across the country.
Dr. Yan Zhang presented NCERC's research related to producing high protein DDGS by converting cellulosic material in the corn flour and feeding the DDGS to aquaculture.
Dr. Jie Dong presented his research on using corn and other feedstocks to produce intermediate chemicals for Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
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Aquaculture
NCERC's research team has been working on an in-situ fermentation of corn kernel fiber with intentions to produce high-protein DDGS for use in an aquaculture feeding trial. The early results of this study were showcased at the 2021 FEW and a new round of results will be showcased at the 2022 FEW. This project is in partnership with the University of Idaho's Aquaculture Research Institute.
MSW to Biofuel Conversion
Through funding provided by SIUE's Transitional & Exploratory Projects (STEP) grant program, NCERC will continue our research on the conversion of municipal solid waste (MSW), waste that comes from both residential and commercial sources, to biofuel. Ajay Venigalla, the student who lead this research over the last academic year, prepared this project for scale-up under the guidance of Dr. Yan Zhang. This work will continue when the NCERC research team has time in between contractual research projects. A special thanks to Waste Connections for providing quarterly samples of MSW! |
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SIUE Staff Senate Meeting
SIUE Campus
June 2
Enjoy Illinois 300 at the World Wide Technologies Raceway
Madison, IL
June 5
NCGA Value Chain Stakeholder Meeting on Renewable Packaging
Virtual
June 6
Corn Utilization Technology Council
Virtual
June 7-8
Fuel Ethanol Workshop
Minneapolis, MN
June 13 - 15
RFA's Young Professionals Network Member Social Hour
Minneapolis, MN June 14
BioMADE Member Meeting
Minneapolis, MN
June 13 - 15
Tour of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture & Nutrition Center
East St. Louis, IL
June 30
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SIUE Staff Senate Meeting
NCERC Facility
July 7
Danforth Center Young Friends Steering Committee Meeting
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
July 7
ALAKA'I 2022 Boot Camp
University of Hawaii at Hilo
July 17-22
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National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC)
400 University Park Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62025
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