Abstract:
Getting a grip on climate change depends on a myriad of factors, from changing the items we use every day to adopting renewable energy sources. For instance, as we shift away from CO2-emitting fossil fuels, where will we get all the plastic we need for, well, nearly everything?
Biotechnology and biomanufacturing harness the power of biology to provide products and services that can help us adapt to a changing climate, create new sources of energy and related products, and reduce our carbon footprint. During this talk, we will explore some of the emerging approaches to growing the bio-economy by developing transportation fuels, plastics, and other materials, using biological systems and alternative, locally-sourced materials.
Bioplastics, produced from microorganisms, a potential key to decarbonizing our economy while addressing the pollution problem, are one example. Novel approaches are being used to identify and optimize new these materials, including machine-learning tool such as Bioplastics Manufacturing with Intelligent Adaptive Control (BioManIAC).
BioManIAC accelerates the development of better, more effective biopolymers, a critical pillar in the cycle of a circular economy. Biopolymers act as the building blocks for truly biodegradable plastics that can be completely recycled, upcycled, composted, and readily degraded to assimilate back into the environment.
Join us in exploring the bio-economy and its role in addressing grand challenges such as climate change, food security, energy independence, and environmental sustainability.
Bio: Babetta Marrone
• Senior Scientist in Bioscience Division, B-IOME Group
• At LANL, in the Bioscience Division, since 1985.
• Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), where she was honored for distinguished contributions of multidisciplinary experimental and computational approaches that provide life science solutions to energy and national security applications.
• Over 100 publications, 6 patents, and multiple awards including 2022 R&D 100 award for the BioManIAC technology.
• Current science and technology focus: Sustainable manufacturing of biofuels, biomaterials, and bioproducts; Intermountain West Energy Sustainability & Transitions, Bioenergy team lead
• B.A., Hampshire College (Natural and Social Sciences)
• Ph.D. Rutgers University (Neurosciences; NSF Fellowship)
• Postdoc: University of Wisconsin, Madison (Physiological Chemistry, NIH Fellowship)
