Research in Biological and Agricultural Engineering

The world’s growing population faces grand challenges to provide society with systems that sustainably deliver water, energy, and food resources.  The Texas A&M University Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering is at the forefront of developing solutions to these challenges by working at state, national and global levels. Our distinguished faculty are making a positive impacts in sustainable bioenergy, water resources, environmental quality, bioprocessing, food safety, precision agriculture, robotics/intelligent systems and many other related fields.

Areas of Research Expertise

Our faculty represent a community of scholars who are conducting extensive research programs in a variety of program areas, collaborating with colleagues across the world from different disciplines.

The department is also home to a vibrant array of research labs and groups that fuel innovation and advance knowledge in various fields of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. These dynamic spaces provide students and faculty with opportunities to collaborate on groundbreaking projects, from cutting-edge agricultural engineering advancements to sustainable natural resource management solutions.

Bioenergy and Bioprocessing

Research in Bioenergy and Bioproducts uses cutting-edge science and technologies to convert biomass from renewable sources, including biological wastes, into biofuels and other useful products.

Faculty

Labs

  • The BioEnergy Testing and Analysis (BETA) Lab serves as a testing and analysis facility for biofuels produced in many biorefineries in the US.
    Contact: Dr. Sergio Capareda, sergio.capareda@ag.tamu.edu
  • The Bioseparations Lab provides an interdisciplinary environment for conducting cutting–edge and transformative research in bioprocess engineering with an emphasis in recombinant protein recovery from plant and microalgal systems.
    Contact: Dr. Zivko Nikolov, zivko.nikolov@ag.tamu.edu
  • The Nanoscale Biological Engineering Lab uses molecular level (Nano) manipulation approaches to develop catalytic materials with novel functionalities.
    Contact: Dr. Sandun Fernando, sandun.fernando@ag.tamu.edu
Two researchers in white coats and gloves examining a petri dish

Environment: Air Quality

Air quality engineering research focuses on understanding the sources and causes of air pollution, and designing and implementing tailored solutions to monitor and control air quality in different settings.

Faculty

Labs

  • The Center for Agricultural Air Quality & Engineering Science provides the research, technology transfer, and educational programs that will result in appropriate regulation of agricultural operations and rapid adoption of new air pollution abatement technology.
    Contact: Dr. Maria King, maria.king@ag.tamu.edu
Cattle on a ranch

Environment: Soil and Water

Soil and Water engineering research tackles challenges related to the planning, development, and management of land and water resources, including irrigation, soil erosion, contamination and conservation.

Faculty

Labs

Water monitoring instruments in a field

Agricultural Production and Post-Harvest Systems

Design of equipment that is more efficient in its use of energy and natural resources for the production and processing of feed, food and fiber.  Includes design of systems and processes for food preservation and  long term storage to reduce food waste.

Faculty

Labs

A researcher in a hard hat looking at a monitor in a lab

Food Engineering

Food engineering research helps develop and manage equipment and systems that process and distribute food.

Faculty

Labs

  • The Food Engineering Lab applies engineering principles to the storage, processing and distribution of food materials and their bio-products
    Contact: Dr. Rosana Moreira, rmoreira@tamu.edu
  • The Food Safety Engineering Laboratory provides expertise in the area of food irradiation using electron beam technology.
    Contact: Dr. Rosana Moreira, rmoreira@tamu.edu
A red petri dish under a microscope