Biovalorisation of Wastes to Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Navanietha Rathinam is a Research Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota. His research interests include bioelectrochemical systems for converting wastes to biofuels and value-added products, biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass, extremophilic bioprocessing, and space biology. He is a recipient of prestigious awards including Bioenergy - Award for Cutting Edge Research, Australian Overseas Research Award, and Young Faculty Award in Engineering. He has published over 30 research articles, 10 book chapters, edited 3 books, 1 patent, and PI/Co-I for 4 research grants. He also serves as a panelist for federal agencies such as NASA and NSF. He is selected as a US Ambassador for American Society for Microbiology.

Dr. Sani is a Professor in the Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Chemistry, Biology, and Health Sciences at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD. In the past 16 years, Dr. Sani has taught 15 different courses (e.g., Biochemical Engineering, Extremophilic Bioprocessing, Biochemistry, and Applied Biological Sciences courses) to undergraduate and graduate students at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Washington State University, Pullman WA, and tried to integrate Engineering Sciences with Biological Sciences. His research expertise includes Rules of Life in Biofilms grown on 2D materials, Extremophilic Bioprocessing of Solid Wastes to Biofuels and Value-added Products, Space Biology, Genome Editing, Biocatalysis, and Biopolymers. He has one patent, eleven invention disclosures, published over 100 peer-reviewed articles in high impact factor journals, and has contributed to 34 book chapters. In addition, he has edited 10 books, and has been leading a research consortium funded by the NSF with the aid of 48 scientists and engineers.