Partnering with peers across three continents, ACES students worked to solve global water problems under the instruction of three lecturers located in Germany, Brazil, and the U.S.

Urbana, Ill. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is funding a new collaboration between two institutes and a research center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that will create an integrated farm of the future in the U.S. Midwest.

URBANA, Ill. – Four years in, the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) continues to grow rapidly by providing world-class pilot plant services to the food and bioprocessing industries. Since IBRL’s October 2018 grand opening ceremony, 60 clients have completed over 400 projects, including several who have now successfully launched products to market. An additional $6.5 million in state funds for equipment and expansion of IBRL staff has enabled these client projects and successes.

This week’s 5 Questions Friday features Travis Johnson, TSM alum and current academic advisor and instructor for ETMAS and TSM in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

What motivates you in your work?

URBANA, Ill. – Fermentation is a crucial manufacturing step for many industries, including food, feed, cosmetics, and fuel. The fermentation process converts agricultural feedstocks to valuable materials with the use of microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. It provides ingredients for products ranging from meat and dairy substitutes to cosmetics made without animal proteins.

This week’s 5 Questions Friday features Kaitlyne Diaz, graduate student in Technical Systems Management

Where did you grow up? Do you have an agriculture background? If so, please describe

I was born in Chicago, and grew up in Streamwood, Illinois, for about 10 years until my family and I moved back to Chicago where I went through middle and high school. I currently still live in Chicago when I’m not in Champaign.

URBANA, Ill. — Two ACES faculty members and a graduate teaching assistant were among those honored at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this week for excellence in teaching, mentoring and advising, collectively known as the Campus Awards for Excellence in Instruction.

URBANA, Ill. – The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) and The Grainger College of Engineering honored three faculty with endowed positions during an investiture ceremony at the University of Illinois on March 31.

This week’s 5 Questions Friday features Jarvis Williams, a sophomore majoring in Engineering Technology and Management for Agricultural Systems (ETMAS). High school experiences, FFA involvement, and ACES research apprenticeship program spurred an interest in agricultural engineering and the environment for this Chicago native.

URBANA, Ill. – With water quality guidelines compelling more farmers to act on nitrogen loss, cover crops and split nitrogen applications are becoming more common in the Midwest. But new University of Illinois research shows these conservation practices may not provide environmental benefits across the board.