Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Bioenergy Systems Research Initiative will hold its 2010 Annual Retreat on Monday, Nov. 15, at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.
The free, all-day event, which includes lunch and a reception/poster session, is open to all UGA faculty and students.
The keynote speaker is Ken Keegstra, scientific director, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, and University Distinguished Professor of plant biology and biochemistry and molecular biology, Michigan State University, will address “A plant biologist’s view of the status and future of cellulosic biofuels.”
Three panels, each with four speakers, will address current bioenergy systems research topics, including economic development, energy crop selection/design, biomass processing, bioconversion, thermochemical conversion, algae and bioproducts.
The retreat’s goal is to facilitate collaborations among a broad spectrum of bioenergy research efforts by providing UGA faculty and other interested stakeholders with a venue for discussing their research interests and BSRI research focus areas.
“UGA has more than 80 faculty and numerous postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students who share a vision of alternative energy, fuel, and materials production through the use of biomass conversion strategies that are environmentally and economically sustainable,” said Robert Scott, UGA associate vice president for research and interim director of the BSRI.
Researchers now engaged in bioenergy research represent Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Odum School of Ecology, the Faculty of Engineering, and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
“Sharing ideas and information across these six UGA colleges and schools will catalyze collaborative research and education efforts across all areas of bioenergy,” Scott added.
Poster abstracts are invited from undergraduates and graduate students, postdocs and faculty members. Abstracts must be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22. Awards will be given for the best poster in each category.
View the agenda, registration information and poster abstract submission information at www.bioenergy.uga.edu/bsri-retreat.php
Complete information about BSRI can be found at www.bioenergy.uga.edu.
