ActiveSite 2025

Letter from the Chair

Dear Alumni and Friends, 

Greetings to you all!

Many exciting things are happening in the Iowa State University Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Chemical engineering undergraduate enrollment is once again increasing, even as the College of Engineering launches a new bachelor’s degree program in biomedical engineering.

Similarly, the department’s research enterprise continues to grow, as we set new records in research expenditures and graduate student enrollment, attributable to outstanding efforts by our faculty and graduate students.

Several faculty members in the department also received prestigious external recognitions, such as Zengyi Shao, who was named as a recipient of a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers – the highest national honor bestowed on young faculty members.

However, amid this good news, the department also learned of the sad news of the passing of two faculty emeriti including Jim Hill on December 19th, 2024 and Ken Jolls on June 21st, 2025. These long-time faculty members will be missed.

As we reflect on the progress and challenges within the department, faculty and staff are actively engaged in renewing our commitment to our land-grant university mission. This mission continues to balance outstanding education and student development, research, and the translation of new knowledge to practice.

In the undergraduate program, we are working not only to instill a strong technical foundation in our students but are also emphasizing development of skills crucial for career success, such as professional communication, initiative, dedication, teamwork, and adaptability.

In the graduate program, our faculty work with both graduate and undergraduate students to create new knowledge and apply it to important problems in biomanufacturing, human health, catalysis, advanced materials, and computation.

I know our alumni and friends share these land-grant university values, and on behalf of all those in the department I want to express our deep appreciation for your interest in our program, as well as your partnership in and support of our efforts.

Your generosity provides not only direct support for students through scholarships, but also broader impacts through financing of graduate fellowships, facility improvements, teaching laboratories, professorships and chairs, as well as flexible resources for strategic initiatives through contributions to the ChE Excellence Fund.

In future issues of ActiveSite, we look forward to highlighting some of the many ways your support creates meaningful and positive impacts on individuals and society more broadly.

As always, please stay in touch with us – we want to hear from you! Best

R. Dennis Vigil
Professor and Reginald R. Baxter Endowed Department Chair

By the numbers

Chemurgy 2.0, a program in its second year of life, is moving forward in its mission of “meeting human needs with things that grow,” in a collaboration with Iowa State University and four other Iowa institutions.

“If it’s research that requires a microbe and requires sugar to grow, we are well positioned here in Iowa to do that,” says Associate Professor and Stanley Chair in Interdisciplinary Engineering and Professor in Charge of deep tech venture creation Nigel Reuel, who heads the research and technology transfer of the program.

Chemurgy 2.0 centers on the development of biologically derived plastics for additive manufacturing, fibers for flexible and rigid materials and proteins for diagnostics and therapeutics.

The people who are performing that research are students – both undergraduate and graduate students. Currently, 14 Iowa State graduate students are active in the program.

“Approximately 50 students are involved in Chemurgy research throughout all schools,” says Cargill Professor in Chemical Engineering Laura Jarboe, who heads the Chemurgy 2.0 program, along with Reuel and Associate Professor Monica Lamm, who oversees the education and workforce development aspect.

“Our projects are highly collaborative,” says Reuel. “What happens in one lab doesn’t just stay there. There is further processing in the next lab, involving other students.”

“Chemurgy” is a term that was coined by Iowa State University alumnus George Washington Carver, the university’s first African-American student and faculty member, who became a world-renowned leader in farming techniques and developing foods from plants such as peanuts. The program was launched with a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research for a five-year term.

“We need greater command of our resources, and biorenewables are the core of that,” says Denver Landers, a graduate student in the program, who is researching how to develop microbes to aid in versatility of creating plastics.

“Using our access to the sun to generate biochemicals and make ourselves more independent and self-sufficient is huge.”

“This is the Place for me”

Engineering-medical mix is popular option with new biomedical major

It’s one of the fastest-growing career fields in the United States.

Biomedical Engineering is the newest major offered by Iowa State’s College of Engineering. Launched in the fall of 2023, CBE serves as its student advising and administrative home.

The interdisciplinary team effort leverages faculty expertise across the college in the area of engineered medicine, in addition to cross-campus expertise in biology, kinesiology, and biomedical sciences.

Hands-on study of biosensors, medical systems, health care software and systems, and much more are offered to students, along with interaction and collaboration with human sciences and veterinary medicine faculty.

CBE Associate Professor Ian Schneider is professor-in-charge of the program, having overall administrative responsibility for the new program. He says there was a definite demand for developing the major: “Our population is getting older. Health care is getting to be a much larger and more important topic. Companies are investing a lot of money into the field.”

Students are recognizing its potential as a career and Iowa State’s program as an enticing option. “We are attracting students who would not be at Iowa State without this program,” Schneider says. He estimates about 60 percent of students within this major are coming from outside of Iowa.

Since the program was announced, five courses have been designed for the curriculum. In the 2025-26 academic year, five more will join the lineup. An existing laboratory in Sweeney Hall has been expanded and modified to handle hands-on learning in biomechanics and biomaterials. Plans include designing a room in the university’s Student Innovation Center to offer study in bioinstrumentation.

Students have so far entered the program in two cohorts. There are 37 students in the first and 76 in the second.

As expected, a number of those students have a strong interest in getting into the medical field. Stephanie Heimbrecht is one of them.

“I have always been fascinated by the medical field and wanted to contribute. I majored in Biomedical Engineering because I saw how I could use my love for mathematics and science to advance medical technology.

The general engineering classes I am taking are allowing me to develop problem-solving skills and master coding languages. The physiology and biology classes are allowing me to understand the human body. The Biomedical Engineering program brings these two kinds of courses together. Biomedical engineers get to build devices and machines that doctors use to diagnose and treat patients. They communicate with both engineers and doctors,” Heimbrecht says.

Student Tessa Strand was able to use the biomedical major to satisfy the pursuit of different areas she’s interested in.

“I was initially attracted to being a Biomedical Engineering major because of my interest in attending medical school while also wanting to be an engineer,” she says. “I believe that because of our emphasis here at Iowa State on research and innovation, this is the right place for me. I have been able to spend a semester doing research in a specific area and was able to present it at a symposium. Opportunities like being a part of research as an undergrad are not always found at other institutions and prove the unique experience Iowa State has to offer.”

Strand also likes the collaboration with students in other disciplines: “Being able to work with students from other majors has been a wonderful positive attribute to the program. Especially when working as a group, we students have different interests and deeper knowledge in different areas which has produced better results as we collaborate on projects.”

“There is no other major that so directly aligns with what I want for my future career, and I strongly believe the Biomedical Engineering program at Iowa State has helped me greatly as I prepare for my future.”

“The part of biomedical engineering that attracts me is how directly it helps people.” 
– Stephanie Heimbrecht 

“Plastic” Isn’t a Bad Word

Somewhere amidst the multitude of PET plastic depolymerization experiments— something clicked.

I saw results that were more than just interesting; they bore exciting implications for everyone. And I firmly believe these findings could fundamentally change our worldview of plastics.

That belief is what nudged me toward entrepreneurship. I knew I wanted to take the risk of transcending the bench out to the consumer. At the heart of it, I believe research finds its purpose when it solves real-world problems.

That’s the standard we hold as Cyclone Engineers—to pursue practical impact.

Iowa State made an investment in me by furnishing me with a strong foundation of engineering skills – and now it’s my turn to give back to turn it into something that benefits many. Now, my goal is to develop an in-house efficient PET recycling solution that’s scalable, and marketable—something that starts right here in Ames and grows to make plastics recycling an everyday reality around the world.

Because Iowa State is more than just a place to do science—it’s a launchpad for big ideas.

The ecosystem here, especially within the College of Engineering and the Pappajohn Center Startup Factory, has helped me see what’s possible as an entrepreneur.

I’ve been fortunate to work under research and entrepreneurship mentors who’ve constantly challenged and supported me. And I had even more pivotal mentors in Peter Hong and Hannah Kirkendall at the Startup Factory. They helped me see that when you have a discovery that can help the world, entrepreneurship isn’t just a possibility—it’s a responsibility.

Thank you for believing in graduate students like me. Your support isn’t just fueling research—it’s powering real change.

Ames startup aims to increase sustainability of plastics worldwide

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics are in the clothes that we wear, the packaging of our food and drinks, medical applications and more.

They’re strong and light, and have revolutionized society. It’s recycling them that’s tricky: Traditional mechanical recycling involves melting and reusing plastic, which can lessen the quality—and when disposed of, these create lasting harmful effects.

Iowa State engineers are working on solutions for cost-effective, quick, chemical recycling for plastics and textiles. Dhananjay (DJ) Dileep (‘21 MS, ‘24 Ph.D.), Research Scientist Michael Forrester, and Professor Eric Cochran cofounded ImPETus to scale chemical recycling technology solutions, which offer the promise of retaining quality in recycled materials.

When Dileep’s Ph.D. research revealed a possible fix to the plastic problem, he thought. “This technology needs to go out to the world.” ImPETus was launched with the ambition to deploy this commercially.

Dileep and the ImPETus team have developed a rapid new process to chemically break down polyesters into their original monomers. It operates at mild temperatures— about as hot as a laundry machine on a high setting—and completes in just 15 minutes.

Unlike traditional thermomechanical PET recycling, which degrades the plastic’s performance, the ImPETus method produces monomers that can be repolymerized into virgin-grade resin for reuse.

ImPETus’ first funding is $50,000 from Iowa State’s Innovation Acceleration Fund.The venture is also powered by the collective talent of an exceptional team of undergraduate interns from Iowa State University: Jared Kaczor, Aadhi Subbiah, Samuel Chambers, Gautham Pullela, Tino Longo, Oriana Ryker, and O’Neal Daniels. Their invaluable contributions in experimentation, customer discovery, and design are steering ImPETus toward its goals.The Startup Factory and CyBiz Lab provide entrepreneurial support. The vision is to increase the sustainability of PETs worldwide.

Eric Cochran elected National Academy of Inventors Fellow

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s Eric Cochran was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors 2024 Class of Fellows. It is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors. The Mary Jane Skogen Hagenson and Randy L. Hagenson Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering joins a class of individuals “tackling real-world issues and creating solutions that propel us into the future.”

Cochran was honored for his work with polymers and asphalt additives, which has led to 53 patents at Iowa State with more pending, and the creation of startup company SoyLei Innovations, which develops sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products in asphalt.

“We want to create a product that satisfies renewable and recyclable goals and that also provides a real value proposition, such as better performance or saving money, that stands alone in the market,” Cochran says. “If you can put all of that into one package, there will be greater acceptance.”

CBIRC leader Brent Shanks continues to develop “unique spot” for Iowa State in biobased products

When the Center for Biorenewable Chemicals began in 2008, its federally supported focus was on transforming renewable carbohydrate feedstocks into biobased chemicals as direct replacements for petrochemicals. In more recent times, new priorities have emerged with the guidance of its director, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s Brent Shanks, an Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering and Mike and Jean Steffenson Chair.

Specifically, there is greater recognition that a more holistic approach, one that includes process engineering and scale-up, is required to move biomanufacturing beyond the benchtop and towards industrial-scale implementation that can enhance the supply chain and national and economic security.

“The long and short of that,” says Shanks, “is there are a lot of things going on at Iowa State, and the challenge is how CBiRC can help faculty connect with all of these activities.”

Originally supported by a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center grant, CBiRC is now an aggregation of grants.

An important task being addressed by Shanks and CBiRC today is the scale-up of processes to cultivate microorganisms that produce useful products.

“The big project we have going on is development of a scale-up fermentation facility here in Iowa,” says Shanks. That’s a natural extension of a collaboration with Cargill and Genomatica, initiated by an award announced at the White House Summit on the National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative in 2022, as well as ongoing biomanufacturing efforts at Iowa State.

A spinoff business from CBiRC is also garnering attention: Pyrone Systems, a company that Shanks is a cofounder of, that’s turning out a novel bioinsecticide enabled by triacetic acid lactone, a versatile organic compound produced biologically from glucose.

The bioinsecticide is an example of CBiRC’s desire to translate laboratory discoveries to commercial reality and is being tested as a new option to control insects.

“It has some particularly good properties against mosquitoes compared to current insecticides,” says Shanks, “which is very important because of the re-emergence of dangerous diseases that are carried by mosquitoes. It also works against cockroaches, ticks, aphids and other agricultural insect pests. We’ve had some good field trials, and we are talking with a broad range of insecticide product companies due to its broad efficacy.”

“We are continuing to work to establish a unique spot for Iowa State in the area of biobased products, and we have every opportunity to do so.”
— Brent Shanks

The “ChemE Doctor” has a prescription for helping grad students outside of the lab

She calls herself “The ChemE Doctor.” She dispenses advice, instruction, and what could be called “cures” for challenges. Her “clients” are Iowa State University graduate students. There are no bills for her service, and the outcomes are favorable.

Jacqueline (Jackie) Vanni Shanks has been part of the CBE faculty since 1999. She’s a noted researcher and educator, especially in the area of plant and microbial metabolic engineering. But in 2017, she began to complement her role with graduate students. She became the faculty advisor to the Iowa State chapter of GradSWE. And she began to work more closely with grad students, both inside and outside of that organization, in helping with what some might call the “intangibles.”

“I found that many graduate students,” says Shanks, “need help in many areas that impact their lives and future – things that I wish someone could have provided me when I was a grad student. Things like the questions that you may not want to approach others with. I’m here to mentor them and help them navigate their journey.”

The students recognize, and appreciate, that extra level of involvement. “Building a sense of community among us is one of the most impactful things she does,” says Kimia Noroozi, a chemical engineering grad student. “And while things she helps us with like networking are important, it’s the more intimate community building practices that she teaches us that allow us to understand people from various walks of life and to not just be leaders, but compassionate leaders who lift each other up.”

The mentoring doesn’t stop when a student walks across the graduation stage. “I work hard to not only help students when they are here, but I work to keep in touch with students who have graduated and to build a network of people who are now working in their fields so they can act as mentors to others who are following them into the workplace,” says Shanks.

Whatever the role, whatever the questions, Shanks says, “I’m here to build leaders in any way I can.”

A grad school experience designed for a career with national impact

Department Awards and Honors

Research opportunities that benefit both grad students and undergrads

Ryan Godin came to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering from Cleveland State to spend a summer as an undergraduate participant in the BioMaP summer research program. The second time he walked into Sweeney Hall was to pursue a graduate program. He liked what he found at Iowa State. 

“People come here, they see it, they realize what we’re all about, and they stay,” he says. 

Godin works in the lab of Associate Professor and Stanley Chair in Interdisciplinary Engineering Nigel Reuel, where he explores cell-free expression and machine learning techniques to create a generalized workflow for the design of proteins. He earned a coveted National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship as he started his advanced degree study. Godin’s research will aid in efficient design and optimization of new therapies and industrial biocatalysts. 

We are “making protein engineering easier,” he explains. “We’re developing tools and techniques to improve effectiveness in the lab in working with constructing and working with DNA amplifications and proteins. We use machine learning involving liquid-handling robots for lab functions that can help you get the most bang for your buck in testing. It’s our first foray into this.” 

That work is shared with the willing hands and minds of department undergraduate students who are part of the workflow, developing fundamental techniques that aid them now in their development as students, and to serve them well into the future. 

“I’ve had undergraduates work with programming for the lab robots we use so they can get a feel for automation engineering to see if that is something they’re interested in,” says Godin. 

Sullivan Flynn is one of those undergraduates, who has spent two semesters working in the lab with Godin, and says, “This introduced me to things I had not seen in classes. The whole experience led to me considering a career path in medicine. I am now planning on going to medical school after I graduate.” 

Godin says he feels the undergraduate lab experience is right in line with the many opportunities the department offers its students of all levels: “Great professors and researchers. Doors are always open and questions get answered. The department makes sure graduate students are listened to. I tell the undergraduate students ‘make sure you like the environment where you are studying. You always need a strong program with strong mentors. You have that here’.”