Skip to main content
MASBio 2025

Program

Agenda

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – Field Trip and Reception*

Noon – Bus departs NC State campus

1:00-5:00 p.m. – Tour bioenergy and energy crops research sites, including the Oxford Tobacco Research Station

  • Butner Long-Term Field Trial (BLTFT) – American Sycamore
    • History and rationale of BLTFT – Dr. John King
    • Methods of BLFT – Dr. John King, Dr. Maricar Aguilos
    • Results of BLFT – Dr. John King, Dr. Maricar Aguilos
    • Walking tour – planting density/rainfall exclusion experiment, Bowen Ratio planting
  • Biomass Pine – Dr. Trevor Walker
    • NC State University/industry-supported Cooperative Tree Improvement Program
  • Umstead Forest Mixed Pine-Hardwood Eddy Covariance Experiment
    • USDA Forest Service and US DOE Ameriflux programs
    • Rationale and methods – Dr. Maricar Aguilos
    • Results of NC cluster of EC flux towers – Dr. John King, Dr. Maricar Aguilos

5:00-7:00 p.m. –  Pig Pickin’ Reception

8:00 p.m. – Return to Raleigh

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – MASBio Legacy, Innovation, and Industry Collaboration

Talley Student Union

7:30 a.m. – Registration/check-in opens

8:00 a.m. – Welcome and introduction
Dr. Myron Floyd, Dean, College of Natural Resources, NC State University
Dr. Jingxin Wang, Department Head and Reuben B. Robertson Professor, Department of Forest Biomaterials, NC State University

8:20 a.m. – MASBio’s Legacy and Highlights: Five Years of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships
Dr. Jingxin Wang and MASBio Task Group Leaders:
Dr. Jamie Schuler, West Virginia University
Dr. Tim Volk, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF)
Dr. John Hu, West Virginia University
Dr. Zac Freedman, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dr. Debangsu Bhattacharyya, West Virginia University
Dr. Dan Ciolkosz, Penn State University
Dr. Shawn Grushecky, West Virginia University

9:10 a.m. – Panel Discussion: Feedstock, Logistics, and Supply Chain
Moderator: Dr. John King, Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in FER,
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, NC State University
Panelists:
Dr. Chad Bolding, Professor and Langdale Endowed Chair in the Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business, University of Georgia
Dr. Lyubov Kurkalova, Professor, Economics, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Dr. Jamie Schuler, Assistant Professor of Silviculture, West Virginia University
Dr. Tim Volk, Professor and Associate Chair, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF)

10:10 a.m. – Break

10:30 a.m. – Keynote Presentation: “Opportunities and Challenges in the Biomass Industry”
Rachel Burton, Senior Consultant, ProcessWerx

11:15 a.m. – Panel Discussion: “Biomass for Next-Gen Energy and Materials”
Moderator: Dr. Shawn Grushecky, Associate Professor of Energy Land Management, West Virginia University
Panelists: Dr. Debangsu Bhattacharyya, GE Plastics Material Engineering Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University
Jamie Leliever, Founder and CEO, National Bamboo
Dr. Sunkyu Park, Jordan Family Distinguished Professor and University Faculty Scholar, Department of Forest Biomaterials, NC State University
Dr. Joe Sagues, Assistant Professor, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State University

12:15 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 p.m. – Keynote Presentation: “Science, Policy, and Partnerships: Advancing the Next Generation of Biobased Solutions”
Dr. Tim Rials, Associate Dean of AgResearch, University of Tennessee

2:30 p.m. – Break

2:45 p.m. – Panel Discussion: “Value-Added Bioproducts Development  (Bioadhesives and Biochar, Pellets)”
Moderator: Dr. Nate Anderson, Research Forester, Research and Development, USDA-Forest Service
Panelists: Dr. John Hu, Statler Chair in Engineering for Natural Gas Utilization – Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources; Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering; Director, Center for Innovation in Gas Utilization and Research (CIGRU), West Virginia University
Dr. Fanxing Li, Thomas M. Clausi Distinguished Professor in Chemical Engineering and University Faculty Scholar, NC State University
Tom Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Torresak
Justin Tait, Director, International Sustainability Policy and Responsible Sourcing, Enviva

3:50 p.m. – Day 2 Wrap-up/Closing

4:00-5:30 p.m. – Poster Session

The Terrace at Lonnie Poole Golf Course

6:30-8:30 p.m. – Banquet and Awards Ceremony

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Talley Student Union

8:00-9:00 a.m. – Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – Welcome

9:10 a.m. – Keynote Presentation : “Biomass + AI: Fueling a Data-Driven Future” 
Clarence Neese, Founder and Vice President, Orbis

10:10 a.m. – Break

10:25 a.m. – Panel Discussion: “Emerging Technology, Data Sciences, and AI”
Moderator: Dr. Zac Freedman, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Panelists: Dr. Nate Anderson, Research Forester, Research and Development, USDA-Forest Service
Dr. Rachel Emmerson, Senior Research Scientist, Bioenergy Feedstock Technologies, Idaho National Laboratory
Damon Hartley, Lead/Computational Scientist, Idaho National Laboratory
Dr. Lokendra Pal, EJ Woody Rice Professor and University Faculty Scholar of Sustainable Materials/Paper Science and Engineering, Department of Forest Biomaterials, NC State University
Dr. Nyma Ferdous, West Virginia University

11:15 a.m. – Panel Discussion and Interactive Breakout Groups: “Education for the Future: Opportunities and Workforce”
Moderators: Dr. Dan Ciolkosz, Associate Research Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; BRS Graduate Program Coordinator, The Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Elizabeth Nichols, Professor, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, NC State University
Panelists: Dr. Jessica Leahy, Professor, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, The University of Maine
Allen Sanders, Executive Director, NC State Pulp and Paper Advisory Board, College of Natural Resources Foundation, NC State University
Dr. Richard Venditti, Elis Signe Olsson Professor, Department of Forest Biomaterials, NC State University

12:25 p.m. – Wrap-up/Closing

12:45 p.m. – Grab-and-Go Lunch

* There is no additional cost for the field trip and reception, but you must be registered for the Annual Meeting and RSVP for the field trip and reception. Limited to 50 participants.

Keynote Speakers

Rachel Burton, Senior Consultant, ProcessWerx

“Opportunities and Challenges in the Biomass Industry”

With over 15 years of experience commercializing sustainable solutions across the energy, agriculture, and circular economy sectors, Rachel is a serial entrepreneur specializing in biomass energy and technology innovation. She co-founded Piedmont Biofuels, North Carolina’s first biodiesel company. Her work has earned honors including the Cleantech Innovation in Water Award and the U.S. Biodiesel Researcher of the Year. She has also served on the Chatham County Economic Development Board, advancing regional job growth and new business development.

Expertise Areas:

  • Bio-based and sustainable fuel technologies
  • Green chemistry and lipid process optimization
  • Leadership in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)-funded projects
  • Scientific communication and editorial experience

Tim Rials, Associate Dean of AgResearch, University of Tennessee

“Science, Policy, and Partnerships: Advancing the Next Generation of Biobased Solutions”

With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Tim Rials has led major efforts to advance sustainable materials and fuels. Currently the Associate Dean of AgResearch at the University of Tennessee, he formerly directed the UT Center for Renewable Carbon for 15 years. His career also includes over a decade with the U.S. Forest Service and a faculty role at UC Berkeley, bringing deep expertise in the bioeconomy landscape.

Expertise Areas:

  • Sustainable materials and bio-based fuels
  • Bioeconomy leadership and research strategy
  • Renewable carbon science and policy
  • Federal and academic forestry research (USFS, UC Berkeley, UT)

Clarence Neese, Founder and Vice President, Orbis

“From Forest to Data and AI: Transforming Land Management Through Geospatial Intelligence”

With over 20 years of experience, Clarence Neese has led the development of innovative platforms such as LITAS, RLMS, and ATLAS, transforming how timberland investments are managed. Clarence also serves on the Advisory Board of the Appalachian Forestry Entrepreneurship Initiative at West Virginia University, contributing to the advancement of forestry education and entrepreneurship.

Expertise Areas:

  • Timberland investment and asset management
  • Development of geospatial and forestry data platforms (LITAS, RLMS, ATLAS) and AI applications
  • Forestry entrepreneurship and education
  • Strategic forestry innovation

Student Poster Session

Wednesday, October 8
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Student researchers are strongly encouraged to present their research at the MASBio annual meeting poster session.  This is a great opportunity to increase awareness of your research while interacting with academics and industry professionals.  Undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral students are all welcome.  A panel of judges will evaluate the entries, and the top posters will receive cash prizes.  Register for the poster session when you sign up to attend the conference – the registration system will ask for the poster’s title and the list of authors.  If you have questions about the poster session, please contact Daniel Ciolkosz at dec109@psu.edu