Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Vijay Singh is a Founder Professor in Grainger College of Engineering, Distinguished Professor of Bioprocessing in the college of ACES, Executive Director of Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Deputy Director of the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation. His research is on the development of bioprocessing […]
Beth Conerty joined IBRL in December 2017 as the Business Development Manager. She is working to grow relationships with industry and help bring projects into the IBRL facility. Beth has a Bachelor’s in Chemistry and a Professional Science Master’s in Bioenergy from University of Illinois. She has a doctorate in Energy Science and Engineering from […]
Brian Jacobson joined IBRL in February 2012 and is responsible for leadership of the IBRL and FSHN Pilot Processing Plant facilities. He also serves as the Program Manager for Infrastructure for the iFAB Tech Hub and on the advisory board of the Biomass Innovation Hub. He is responsible for oversight of the pilot plant facilities’ […]
Jedi Brown joined the Food Science Pilot Plant and Dining Services Team in Summer of 2017 as a Food Service Administrator III. He has spent the last 15 years training food safety and production processes to industry managers and leaders. He has a degree in Business from Parkland College in Champaign, IL and is continuing […]
BJ has been with the IBRL since 2019. He started at UA Local 149 in 1997 and worked for outside contractors for 22 years before coming to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is the lead pipefitter for both the IBRL and the Food Science and Human Nutrition Pilot Processing Plant and manages the installation […]
Phillip Manning joined IBRL in January 2019 as a pilot plant specialist. Phillip has a bachelors degree in Biological Sciences from Eastern Illinois University. Previously, Phillip worked at the Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Tate and Lyle pilot plants. His focus included process improvements and new fermentation opportunities. Phillip also has experience with separations and […]
Tom McKenna joined IBRL in March 2022. He has a Bachelor’s in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In August of 2023, Tom was promoted to Senior Pilot Plant Specialist and currently leads IBRL’s DSP Team. Previously, he spent 10 years at a chemical manufacturer in both quality and research positions […]
Marissa Nyland joined IBRL in January 2022 as a member of the fermentation team. In February of 2024 she was promoted to the Assistant Director of Operations & Safety to manage safety programs, oversee construction projects, and ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the pilot plant. She has a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of […]
Amy Rogers joined IBRL in March of 2022 as the Business Development Coordinator. She is responsible for coordinating the accounting operations and business functions of IBRL. Amy has a Bachelor of Science in Business from Eastern Illinois University. She spent the first 14 years of her career with Design Ideas, an international home decor manufacturer, […]
Suneet Takhar joined IBRL as a part-time lab manager in November 2019. She took up the full-time analytical lab specialist role in January 2022 which includes both technical and management aspects related to the lab. She has a Bachelor’s in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry from University of Idaho and a Master’s in Food […]