The UGA Bioenergy Systems Research Initiative will hold its 2010 annual retreat Nov. 15 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel.
The free, all-day event, which includes lunch and a reception/poster session, is open to all UGA faculty and students.
Keynote speaker is Ken Keegstra, scientific director for Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and University Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University. He will give an address entitled “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.
“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, associate vice president for research and interim director of the BSRI.
Researchers now engaged in bioenergy research represent Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Odum School of Ecology, the Faculty of Engineering and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Poster abstracts are invited from undergraduate, graduate students, postdocs and faculty members. Abstracts must be submitted by 5 p.m. Oct. 22.
Awards will be given for the best poster in each category.