Staff
Professor Hans Blaschek
Director
blaschek@express.cites.uiuc.edu
Hans Blaschek received his Ph.D. in Food Science (Microbiology), at Rutgers University in 1980, his M.S. in Food Science at Rutgers University in 1977 and his B.A. in Biological Sciences at Rutgers College in 1974. He presently serves as the Interim Director for the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER), University of Illinois where he is responsible for leading planning efforts for the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory. In addition, Hans holds the position of Theme Leader of Molecular Bioengineering of Biomass Conversion Research Theme with the Institute for Genomic Biology.
He serves as an Assistant Dean, Biobased Research Initiatives in the Office of Research, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. He served as the Interim Head of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois from 200 0 - 2002. He has served as a Professor of Food Microbiology/Biotechnology since 1991 in the same department. His research areas include: Genetic manipulation of microorganisms for biotechnological applications, examination of dry milling co-products as substrates for fermentation to value-added products, development of an integrated fermentation system for solvent production and recovery, pathogen transmission on minimally processed foods.
Hans served for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the Value-Added/Biofuels Panel Manager for NRI Competitive Grants Program from 1994-1995. He has also consulted on Biomass Conversion systems for Dupont and served as a Research Collaborator and Consultant for Mitsubishi Chemical and Research Institute Technology for Earth (RITE), Kyoto, Japan since 1994. He has chaired many sessions for symposia, including the Bio2006, “Adding Value to the Biorefinery: The Midwest Consortium for Sustainable Biobased Products and Energy”, that was held in Chicago, IL. Another symposium he organized was the “UIUC Bioenergy Symposium: Focus on the Future of Biofuels and Chemicals”, which was held in Urbana, IL May, 2006.
Greg Knott
Associate Director
gknott63@ad.uiuc.edu
Greg Knott is the Associate Director for CABER. He is responsible for overseeing staff functions, fiscal management and formulating strategy for direction of the organization. Greg grew up on a Champaign County grain farm and graduated from Parkland College with AAS in Agri-Marketing, Illinois State University with a BS in Agri-Business and earned and MBA from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Additionally Greg has a joint appointment serving as Assistant to the Head in the Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition.
Dr. Jurgen Scheffran
Assistant Director for Education
scheffra@uiuc.edu
Jürgen Scheffran is Assistant Director for Education at the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) and Senior Research Scientist in the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security (ACDIS) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He has adjunct faculty positions at the Departments of Political Science and Atmospheric Sciences. After his physics PhD at the University of Marburg in Germany he worked at the Technical University of Darmstadt and the University of Hamburg, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and as a Visiting Professor at the University of Paris (Pantheon/Sorbonne).
His research and teaching interests include: energy, climate change and environmental sustainability; complex systems analysis, policy decisionmaking and economic modeling; technology assessment and international security. He initiated the Renewable Energy Initiative at UIUC and he organized the international symposium Fueling Change with Renewable Energy, April 26/27, 2007 (see www.renewable-energy.uiuc.edu/news/symposium.php). With CABER Director Hans Blaschek he is coordinating the Professional Science Masters Degree in Bioenergy. Dr. Scheffran's recent research projects are funded by the Energy Biosciences Institute, the Department of Energy, the Critical Initiatives for Research and Scholarship, the Environmental Council and the MacArthur Foundation.
Ted Funk
Assistant Director for Outreach
funkt@uiuc.edu
Ted grew up on a western Illinois livestock farm and is a graduate of the University of Illinois with degrees in Mechanical Engineering (BS) and Agricultural Engineering (MS and PhD). He has over 27 years experience in Extension work, advising Midwest livestock producers on housing, energy, and manure management systems. He specializes in indoor climate control in buildings, and environmentally friendly manure management methods. Funk's interaction with Illinois agencies and commodity groups has resulted in significant changes in state livestock environmental regulations. His research interests include automatic control of biofilters, precision manure application equipment, and conversion of manure to value-added energy products.
In addition to his work with livestock systems, Funk has maintained an active statewide program in residential housing, focusing on energy conservation and indoor air quality.
Sue Overmyer
Administrative Assistant
overmyer@uiuc.edu
Sue Overmyer is the Administrative Aide in the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). She serves as the assistant to the Director and Associate Director, works with other staff in the office, and serves as office manager for the center. Sue began her career at the University of Illinois serving as secretary to various faculty and graduate students in the Aeronomy Laboratory, College of Engineering. She has held several positions on campus working in the Department of Kinesiology, Office of Conferences and Institutes, Division of Continuing Education and Public Service and the Campus Provost's Office. Sue served as the office manager for the Office of Research, College of ACES, as well as the assistant to the Associate Dean/Director. Sue has been a member of the University of Illinois Secretariat for many years. In 2008, Sue was recognized as the recipient of the Marcella M. Nance Staff Award in the College of ACES.
Natalie Bosecker
Coordinator of Communication & External Relations
natalieb@uiuc.edu
Natalie Bosecker joined the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) staff as Coordinator of Communications and External Relations in March 2008. Her responsibilities include communications, coordinating a directory of bioenergy capabilities of U of I researchers, and facilitating development opportunities to further the mission of the center. Prior to joining CABER, she was the Media Communications Specialist at the State 4-H Office for nearly nine years.
Before joining the University of Illinois, College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), Natalie's career included Illinois AgriNews, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Agriculture Council of America and U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Natalie has a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Communications and a master's degree in Agriculture Education both from the U of I. She grew up on a grain and livestock farm in southeastern Illinois.