Biography
Ajit has more than 35 years of experience in the petroleum refining and petrochemicals business, technology development and management. He received his PhD from the University of Delaware and MBA from Cornell University. His experience includes technical and managerial assignments in research, engineering, licensing, business, manufacturing units and corporate planning. Ajit has strong management and technical background in refining, petrochemicals processes development, catalyst development, chemical reaction engineering, optimization technologies, computer integrated manufacturing and intellectual asset management. He has experience in upstream, downstream (refining, petrochemicals, polyester, lubes) and renewable energy sectors. He has published more than 100 technical papers, one book and has more than 45 U.S. patents to his credit.
Research Interest
Biography
Dr. Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, distinguished professor and graduate coordinator in the agricultural and biosystems engineering department at South Dakota State University, has been the principal investigator on several research projects and an advisor to undergraduate and graduate students with academic and research activities. His research work is actively involved in national and international standards development focused in food and biprocessing. He has served as PI/Co-PI in several projects funded to the total amount of about $20.0 million. He has authored or coauthored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and made more than 350 regional, national, and international presentations. K. Muthukumarappan has contributed to the revision of three ASABE standards. He has served in leadership roles on numerous Food and Process Engineering Institute (FPEI) committees and served as FPEI division representative to the Standards council. He is currently serving as associate editor of Transactions of the ASABE. A few of his awards and honors include a 2013 Distinguished Professor, 2012 ASABE Fellow Award, 2012 F.O. Butler Service Award, 2011 Griffith Faculty Research Award, 2010 International Research Award, 2009 Evelyn E. Rosentreter Standards Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions as a research leader and educator in the food and bioprocess engineering area, and in the development of international and ASABE standards, South Dakota State University F.O. Butler Research Award and CoE Outstanding Researcher award.
Research Interest
Biography
Dr. Lew Christopher holds a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering, Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology, and has more than 20 years of industrial and academic experience. Currently he serves as Director of the Biorefining Research Institute at Lakehead University. His research mission is to add value to the emerging bioeconomy by applying an integrated biorefinery approach to the development of renewable energy technologies. Dr. Christopher is member of the editorial board of several international biotechnology journals, advisory boards, and professional societies. He has made over 400 scientific contributions to the field of bioprocessing of lignocellulosic biomass.
Research Interest
Environmental and Energy Sustainability: Sustainable production of biofuels and bioenergy from renewable resources, energy reduction and integration; environmentally sustainable solutions for municipal, industrial and wastewater treatment plants, reduction of waste streams and greenhouse gas emissions; Value-Added Bioproducts: Biotechnological pathways for production of high-value biochemicals and biomaterials; turning industrial and agricultural waste into value; natural compounds with biological activities for use in a variety of pharmacological products, cost-effective integration of products and processes at the Forest Biorefinery, maximizing the fiber value of plant materials.