Research and Teaching Interests
Our primary focus is the study in the cellulose degrading bacteria that are capable of direct fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass (straw, wood pulp, waste plant fibers) to ethanol and potentially other valued productions in a process called consolidated bioprocessing. We use biochemical, molecular and functional genomic approaches to understand the process.
In collaboration with engineering and biologists we are also studying microbial communities involved in municipal waste management, and that can enhance the bioremediation of various contaminated municipal leachates and groundwaters.