Put a Plant in Your Tank: Innovations in Sustainable Biofuel Generation from Energy Crops

Friday, October 28, 2011: 8:30 AM-10:00 AM
Room A2 (San Jose Convention Center)
Chairs:
Maria Elena Zavala, PhD, Professor, California State University, Northridge and John Harada, PhD, Professor, University of California, Davis

Description: Alternative and sustainable fuel sources are needed, given the significant problems associated with the use of petroleum-based fuels. Biofuels from energy crops are a promising source of sustainable and clean energy. Speakers in this session will discuss innovative and diverse strategies aimed at optimizing biofuel production to meet predicted demand.



8:30 AM
Introductory Remarks
8:35 AM
Capturing the Genetic Diversity of Maize for the Improvement of Energy Grasses
Nicholas Carpita, PhD , Professor , Purdue University
8:55 AM
Overcoming Recalcitrance in Switchgrass to Improve Biofuel Production: Manipulating Lignin Biosynthesis
Luis Escamilla-Treviņo, PhD , Postdoctoral Fellow , Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
9:15 AM
From Crops to Fuels: Consolidated Bioprocessing Technologies Using Microbial Fuel Cells
Gemma Reguera, PhD , Assistant Professor , Michigan State University
9:35 AM
Biofuels and Sustainable Development
Beau Mitchell , Sustainability Coordinator , College of Menominee Nation