UGA’s Bioenergy Systems Research Institute will hold its annual retreat April 9 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel.
A pre-eminent gathering of UGA and regional bioenergy researchers and a medium to foster collaborations, the one-day event will bring together scholars to discuss their research, outreach and instructional interests. Representatives of bioenergy industry and government agencies also will participate.
The program features a keynote speech, “Bioenergy in the United States: History, Trends and Future Prospects for Research,” by David Bransby, the Alumni Professor of Agronomy and Soils at Auburn University. Bransby is a world expert on energy and fiber crops and a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy. He serves on the boards of directors for the Southern Alliance for the Utilization of Biomass Resources, the New Uses Council and the Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops.
Two panel discussions, which include nine presentations, will address current bioenergy systems research topics. The final session of the day will be devoted to discussion of future strategic development for BSRI.
“This retreat provides the annual venue for BSRI members to engage with each other and with constituencies in the public and private sectors,” said Robert Scott, associate vice president for research and interim director of the BSRI. “It serves as a reminder that the renewable energy future is important to all of us.”
