USU USTAR Professor Discusses Biological Engineering as a Business Nexus

Utah State University’s biological engineering program is at the forefront of research involving sustainability, public health and environmentally friendly renewable fuels. Attendees at the Sunrise Session will hear from USU engineering professor Ron Sims, who will discuss how the biological engineering program initiates these projects with practical applications and economic development potential.

The Sunrise Sessions is Friday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 a.m-8:45 a.m., at the Little America Hotel, 500 South Main, Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

Sims will highlight how the biological engineering program serves as a platform to build new microbe-based technologies, products and processes, such as sustainable and economical plastic-based items. He will also address the ways the program is developing solutions to energy problems in Utah through the production of biodiesel and natural gas from algae. Finally, Sims will discuss the importance of providing technical expertise for public health protection through USU’s Utah On-Site Wastewater Treatment Training Program. 

 

“We are creating these technologies in an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective way to meet the demand of today’s conscientious consumers,” Sims said.

 

Sims is a member of USU’s Utah Science, Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) Energy Lab Team. He also serves as department head for USU’s Biological and Irrigation Engineering Department and is the former director of the Utah Water Research Laboratory. He earned a doctorate in biological engineering from North Carolina State University and has been awarded $10 million in contracts and grants since joining USU in 1985. Sims is the recipient of several research awards, including the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology, and he has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications.  

          

USU’s Sunrise Sessions is a breakfast lecture series held quarterly that is designed to highlight timely and cutting-edge research conducted at Utah State University. The lecture is sponsored by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah.

          

Members of the media are invited to attend the Sunrise Session breakfast. To RSVP, please call 801-961-1340 or respond online.