We are fortunate to have four distinguished professors as our keynote speakers. A short biography and links to their home pages are below. For information regarding when each keynote speaker will be presenting, please refer to the Program page.
Dr. Bruce Logan, Kappe Professor of Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Logan's main area of research interest is in the Sustainability of the Water Infrastructure. Energy demands of the water infrastructure use 5% of our electricity generation in the US. Thus, the areas of most active research in the Logan laboratory for ensuring water sustainability are in BioEnergy, or methods of producing electricity or energy carriers such as hydrogen from biomass. Specific research topics include bioelectricity using microbial fuel cells and biohydrogen production using microbial electrolysis cells (MECs or BEAMR) or by fermentation. Other main interest areas are in water treatment using biological processes to target specific chemicals such as perchlorate, and the general study of bacterial adhesion for the purposes of bioaugmentation for remediation of contaminated aquifers.
Dr. Derek Lovley, Distinguished University Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts
Dr. Lovley's research is focused on the physiology and ecology of novel anaerobic microorganisms. Current topics of investigation include: in situ groundwater bioremediation; microbial fuel cells; directed and natural evolution of anaerobic respiration; anaerobic biofilms; and extracellular electron transfer mechanisms. These studies are being approached at the genome scale and involve genetic, biochemical, ecological, and in silico modeling approaches. Research ranges from basic physiological studies to collaborations with industry to optimize the function of microbial fuel cells.
Prof. Dr. ir. Korneel Rabaey, Professor, Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology, Ghent University
Dr. Rabaey is professor at the Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology at Ghent University since September 2011. Before that, he was senior lecturer and incoming director/founder of the Centre for Microbial Electrosynthesis at The University of Queensland. He is internationally recognized for his work in the field of bioelectrochemical systems, particularly with respect to novel process development. He has published over 100 papers in this field (>70 A1/international peer reviewed, > 3500 citations). He is one of the founders of Bilexys Pty. Ltd. (now Bilexsys).
Dr. Ashley Franks, Senior Lecturer/Laboratory Head, Department of Microbiology, La Trobe University
Dr. Franks' research interests lie in the area of environmental microbiology, the study of the composition and physiology of microbial communites in the environment. An understanding of these natural processes is fundamental for comprehension of ecosystem function and application to biotechnology, bioremediation, and bioenergy. In the environment, microbes are commonly found aggregated to each other and/or a surface in what is referred to as a biofilm. Forming biofilms enable microbes to perform unique physiological processes. Our challenge is to understand the microbial biofilms, their function in nature and how these functions can benefit us. In particular, bacterial biofilms that can promote the growth of plants or transfer electrons extracellularly are a focus. Fundamental to applied applications is a basic understanding of the microbial processes, interactions, and evolution in the biofilm mode of life.