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News and Awards

The year 2025 marked a period of exceptional growth, recognition, and impact for the Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts (GCSB). In fulfillment of our core mission to pioneer the scientific and engineering innovations necessary for a global bio-based economy, we have made significant strides in fundamental research, international collaboration, and the development of future leaders.

Institutional Recognition

  • BBIA Demeter Awards 2025: Collaboration Award Finalist: The Center was recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Collaboration Award by the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA), celebrating our commitment to building powerful, cross-sector partnerships to advance the bioeconomy.

Individual Faculty and Researcher Honors

  • Dr. Ragauskas: Lithuanian Global Award: Dr. Arthur J. Ragauskas received the prestigious Lithuanian Global Award for his outstanding contributions to science.

  • Dr. Yoo: SUNY Chancellor’s Award: Dr. Chang Geun Yoo received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award, a significant recognition of his academic and research excellence within the State University of New York system.

  • Dr. Rafiq Ahmad: NASA Lunar Recycle Challenge 2025 Phase I: Dr. Rafiq Ahmad was a recipient of the NASA Lunar Recycle Challenge 2025 Phase I award, underscoring the innovative extraterrestrial applications of circular economy principles.

  • Dr. Sadhukhan: University of Surrey Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Public and Community Engagement 2025 Winner: Dr. Jhuma Sadhukhan and the Surrey Circular Economy Group received this award “In recognition of the delivery of public engagement activities that have enhanced the reputation and impact of the University.”

  • Dr. Kim: NSERC Grant: Dr. Kwang Ho Kim received a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), enabling critical new research.

  • Dr. Kim: ACS Energy & Fuels Rising Star: Dr. Kwang Ho Kim has been named a 2025 Energy & Fuels Rising Star by the ACS Energy & Fuels journal.

Student and Young Professional Achievements

  • Se-min Lee: KFS Excellent Poster Presentation Award: Se-min Lee (HYU) was recognized by the Korean Fiber Society (KFS) for an outstanding poster presentation, highlighting the high caliber of our emerging researchers.

  • Dr. Kwang Ho Kim: AIChE FPB Division Young Professional Award Finalist: Dr. Kwang Ho Kim (UBC) was named a finalist for the Young Professional Award by the Forest and Plant Bioproducts (FPB) Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
  • Jiae Ryu: AIChE FPB Division Graduate Student Award 2nd Place: Jiae Ryu (SUNY ESF) secured 2nd Place in the Graduate Student Award competition from the AIChE FPB Division.
  • Peter K. Karoki: AIChE FPB Division Graduate Student Award Finalist: Peter K. Karoki (UTK) was honored as a finalist for the Graduate Student Award by the AIChE FPB Division.

Global Conferences and Workshops

Scientific progress is accelerated through the open exchange of ideas. Conferences, workshops, and symposia are the primary forums where new discoveries are shared, collaborations are born, and the future of research is debated. In 2025, GCSB was not merely a participant in these vital conversations; we were a leading voice, organizing key sessions and workshops that brought together the world’s foremost experts to tackle critical challenges in the bioeconomy.

  • Leadership at AIChE 2025 Conference: The GCSB demonstrated significant leadership at the AIChE 2025 Conference, one of the premier events for chemical engineers worldwide. The Center took the initiative to organize the high-impact session, “Advances in Eco-manufacturing with Biomass,” providing a platform for cutting-edge research in the field.

    • The session was successfully organized by a team of GCSB leaders: Chang Geun Yoo (SUNY ESF), Kwang Ho Kim (UBC), Arthur J. Ragauskas (UTK)
    • A strong contingent of GCSB-affiliated researchers presented their work, showcasing the depth and power of our international network. Presenters included: Dr. Xiaolei Zhang (University of Strathclyde, UK), Dr. Hyeongmin Seo (University of Iowa, USA), Habin Sun (KIST, South Korea), Gyeongseok Yoon (Hanyang University, South Korea), Jiae Ryu (SUNY ESF, USA), Peter K. Karoki (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA), Nara Han (SUNY ESF, USA), Chaehwi Yoon (SUNY ESF, USA), Dr. Shuyang Zhang (UTK, USA), Maria Lauren (UBC, Canada), Shilin Chen (SUNY ESF, USA)
  • Lignin Workshop: “Lignin to X – Challenges and Potential”: Furthering our role as a global convener, GCSB’s Dr. Chunlin Xu organized a highly successful international lignin workshop titled “Lignin to X – Challenges and Potential.” This event proved to be a critical nexus for the lignin community, bringing together 120 researchers and business developers from over 10 countries to discuss one of the most promising but challenging biopolymers. The workshop featured an invited talk from GCSB’s own Dr. Gyu Leem, further solidifying our Center’s expertise in this key area.

Education and Outreach

A sustainable future requires a sustained pipeline of talent. Educational outreach and international programs are strategic imperatives for the GCSB, allowing us to cultivate a globally-minded, technically proficient workforce ready to lead the bioeconomy of tomorrow. Instilling this global perspective is critical, and our initiatives are designed to provide students with the cross-cultural competencies and hands-on experiences essential for modern scientific collaboration. This activity was published in the newsroom at UTRGV (https://www.utrgv.edu/newsroom/2026/01/16/utrgv-awarded-nsf-funding-to-lead-global-sustainability-education.htm). GCSB plays a critical role in broadening participation in biomass-related science and engineering by engaging students and connecting them to international sustainability research and career pathways. This activity directly advances NSF goals related to broader impacts, inclusive excellence, and global engagement in STEM education.

  • Summer Study Abroad: In 2025, we continued our successful “Design Thinking in Sustainable Science” Summer Study Abroad program. This immersive international experience, held in partnership with Hanyang University, provided students with a unique opportunity to engage with sustainable science and engineering in a global context, blending technical knowledge with creative problem-solving methodologies.

  • Inspiring STEM Engagement: The GCSB hosted a dynamic STEM outreach workshop for students, designed to make the science of sustainable bioproducts tangible and exciting. The workshop featured a range of hands-on activities, including laboratory work, engaging experiments, and demonstrations of 3D printing with biomaterials. Participant feedback confirmed the program’s profound impact. An overwhelming majority of students reported that the workshop met their needs and, crucially, that it increased their interest in pursuing STEM education and careers. Students identified several key positive impacts, which can be summarized thematically:
    • Hands-on Engagement: Students consistently praised the opportunity to participate directly in labs, experiments, 3D printing, and the testing of alternative resources.
    • Direct Interaction with University Faculty: Engagement with college professors and their lectures was highlighted as a significant factor in deepening their understanding and interest.
    • Creative Freedom and Exploration: The workshop was lauded for allowing students the creative freedom to explore design creation, biological concepts, and other areas of personal interest

Collaborations and Infrastructure

A world-class research center is built on two foundational pillars: a robust global network that facilitates the cross-pollination of ideas and state-of-the-art infrastructure that provides the physical space for innovation. In 2025, the GCSB made significant investments in both, strengthening existing partnerships, forging new connections, and expanding our physical capabilities to support interdisciplinary research.

  • Fostering International Networks: Our researchers traveled globally to collaborate with leading institutions and share expertise, ensuring the GCSB remains at the forefront of international developments. Key networking activities included:
    •  A visit to the University of Alberta by Dr. Angela Bywater.
    • A visit to the University of British Columbia by Dr. Chang Geun Yoo.

  • Launch of the GCSB Visual Arts Research Annex: In a landmark development, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) officially launched the GCSB Visual Arts Research Annex. This new facility represents a significant expansion of the Center’s physical footprint and, more importantly, its interdisciplinary reach. The Annex will foster novel collaborations between science, engineering, and the visual arts, opening new avenues for biomaterial design, communication, and application. The expansion of our physical and collaborative networks provides the foundation for creating permanent scholarly resources that codify our collective knowledge.

  • Foundational Scholarship: While conference presentations and workshops drive immediate dialogue, major publications like textbooks and special journal issues create a lasting legacy. These scholarly outputs codify the GCSB’s expertise, serve as essential educational tools for students and professionals, and influence the direction of our field for years to come.
  • In addition to the textbook, the GCSB demonstrated its thought leadership by producing a Special Issue for the highly respected journal Green Chemistry, further cementing our influence on the development of sustainable chemical sciences.