Sustainability: Environmental & Economic Bottom Line
Using a data-driven and integrated modeling framework, CABBI Sustainability Theme researchers will develop the predictive capability to determine which feedstock combinations, regions and land types, market conditions, and bioproducts have the potential to support the ecologically and economically sustainable displacement of fossil fuels. Key areas of emphasis will be to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the plant, soil, microbe, and climate interactions that underlie the productivity and ecosystem services of different feedstocks, and on investigating the technological and economic pathways to a sustainable and resilient bioeconomy. The Sustainability Theme will provide CABBI’s environmental and economic lens, closing the loop on an integrated research program.
STRAIGHT FROM THE SCIENTISTS: Research Profiles Offer Insight into CABBI Work
Read Postdoc Stephanie Juice’s research profile by April Wending >>>
Read Research Specialist Rachel Van Allen’s research profile by Maria Maring >>>
Read M.S. Candidate Josh Bendorf’s research profile by Maria Maring >>>
Read an article on new Sustainability partners Jennifer Pett-Ridge and LLNL, by Jenna Kurtzweil >>>
Read Ph.D. Candidate Sierra Raglin’s research profile by Maria Maring >>>
Read an article on the vital sustainability work by Tara Hudiburg’s University of Idaho lab >>>
Read M.S. Candidate Dalton Stewart’s research profile by Jenna Kurtzweil >>>
Read Ph.D. Candidate Luoye Chen’s research profile by Taylor Jennings >>>
Read Ph.D. Candidate Joanna Ridgeway’s research profile by Jenna Kurtzweil >>>
Read M.S. Candidate Carrie Leibensperger’s research profile by Chloe Rice >>>
Read an article on Finzi Lab members’ work at the Illinois Energy Farm by Jenna Kurtzweil >>>
Read Postdoc Christy Gibson’s research profile by Jenna Kurtzweil >>>
Read Postdoc Mark Burnham’s research profile by Taylor Jennings >>>
Read Co-PI Emily Heaton’s research profile by Jenna Kurtzweil >>>
Read Co-PI Adina Howe’s research profile by Jenna Kurtzweil >>>
Read Postdoc Adam von Haden’s research profile by Jordan Goebig >>>
Read Ph.D. Candidate Kelsie Ferin’s research profile by Jenna Kurtzweil >>>
Read Theme Leader Madhu Khanna’s research profile by Emily Scott >>>
Read M.S. Candidate Yoel Cortes-Peña’s research profile by Jenna Kurtzweil >>>
Madhu Khanna: Theme Leader
Khanna, the ACES Distinguished Professor of Environmental Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is also Interim Director at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment. She has has more than 20 years of experience directing interdisciplinary projects funded by federal agencies and corporations. Her research examines motivations for producers to adopt innovative production technologies, grow biofuel crops, and to participate in conservation programs. Her work informs stakeholders and policy makers about the cost-effectiveness of various approaches to improve environmental quality. Khanna received her Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics in 1995 from the University of California at Berkeley.
Andy VanLoocke: Deputy Theme Leader
VanLoocke, an Associate Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University , is an expert in agricultural meteorology. He researches how humans’ use of land might impact agro-ecosystem processes in tandem with global change. He aims to develop and refine estimates of the impacts of ongoing and future land use change and global change on agro-ecosystem processes and services with a combination of field-based measurements and agro-ecosystem models. VanLoocke received his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science in 2012 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Wendy Yang: Deputy Theme Leader
Yang, an Associate Professor of Plant Biology and Geology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is also on the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology faculty. She researches human influence on natural and managed ecosystems and how ecosystem responses to global change can affect future changes. She studies controls on greenhouse gas emissions, soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics, and the coupling of biogeochemical cycles beyond carbon and nitrogen. Yang got her Ph.D. in 2010 in Environmental Science, Policy & Management from the University of California at Berkeley.
The Lead Scientists
Carl Bernacchi
Plant Physiologist, U.S. Dept. of Ag. Agricultural Research Service Global Change and Photosynthesis Research, Urbana, IL
The Research Team
Elizabeth Boughton
Research Director and Biologist, Archbold Biological Station
The Research Team
Edward Brzostek
Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology and Ecosystem Modeling, West Virginia University
Ximing Cai
Colonel Harry F. and Frankie M. Lovell Endowed Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Evan H. DeLucia
Arends Professor Emeritus of Plant Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Professor of Biology, Boston UniversityKaiyu Guan
Associate Professor of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Jeremy Guest
Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Emily Heaton
Professor of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Adina Howe
Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University
Tara Hudiburg
Associate Professor of Forest, Rangeland & Fire Sciences, University of Idaho
Angela Kent
Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
D.K. Lee
Professor of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Marshall McDaniel
Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Iowa State University
Senior Research Scientist, Colorado State UniversityJian Peng
Associate Professor of Computer Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Jennifer Pett-Ridge
Group Leader of Environmental Isotope Systems, Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
William Rooney
Professor of Soil and Crop Sciences and Borlaug-Monsanto Chair for Plant Breeding and International Crop Improvement, Texas A&M University
Thomas Voigt
Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Research Team
An alphabetical listing of all researchers, postdocs, technicians, and graduate students doing CABBI research in the Sustainability Theme.
A-F
- Rojda Aslan-Sungur
- Danielle Berardi
- Sarang Bhagwat
- Bethany Blakely
- Elena Blanc-Betes
- Nic Boersma
- Emma Brace
- Emily Braun
- Mark Burnham
- Janith Chandrasoma
- Luoye Chen
- Dominick Cifelli
- Allison Cook
- Yoel Cortes-Peña
- Danyang Duan
- William Eddy
- Shah-Al Emran
- Katerina Estera-Molina
- Xinxin (Winnie) Fan
PostdocDANIELLE BERARDI
Ecology Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Hudiburg
University of Idaho
SARANG BHAGWAT
Civil & Environmental Engineering Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Guest
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
BETHANY BLAKELY
Postdoc
PI: Bernacchi
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
ELENA BLANC-BETES
Postdoc
PI: DeLucia
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Agronomy Research ScientistEMMA BRACE
Postdoc
PI: Guest
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
EMILY BRAUN
Ecosystem Research Specialist
PIs: VanLoocke, Khanna, Yang
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
MARK BURNHAM
Postdoc
PIs: Yang/DeLucia
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
JANITH CHANDRASOMA
Postdoc
PI: DeLucia
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
LUOYE CHEN
Agricultural and Applied Economics Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Khanna
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
DOMINICK CIFELLI
Ecology M.S. Candidate
PI: Brzostek
West Virginia University
ALLISON COOK
Field Research Scientist
PI: Yang
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
YOEL CORTES-PEÑA
Civil and Environmental Engineering M.S. Candidate
PI: Guest
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
DANYANG DUAN
Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences M.S. Candidate
PI: Kent
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
WILLIAM EDDY
Visiting Scholar
PI: Yang
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
SHAH-AL EMRAN
Postdoc
PI: Heaton
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
KATERINA ESTERA-MOLINA
Research Scientist
PI: Pett-Ridge
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
XINXIN (WINNIE) FAN
Postdoc
PI: Khanna
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
G-L
- Marc-Andre Giasson
- Christy Gibson
- Nuria Gomez-Casanovas
- Melannie Hartman
- Theodore Hartman
- Xinchen Hu
- Chuck Hyde
- Chunhwa Jang
- Niuniu Ji
- Chongya Jiang
- Stephanie Juice
- Mitchell Kent
- Lavanya Kudli
- Jaejin Lee
- Jung Woo Lee
- Yalin Li
- Di Liang
- Jia Liu
- Susan Lutz
Biogeochemistry Lab TechnicianCHRISTY GIBSON
Postdoc
PI: Bernacchi
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
NURIA GOMEZ-CASANOVAS
Visiting Research Scientist
PI: DeLucia
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ecology Programmer/Analyst
Agronomy Ph.D. CandidateXINCHEN HU
Civil & Environmental Engineering Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Cai
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
CHUCK HYDE
Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Yang
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
CHUNHWA JANG
Postdoc
PI: Lee
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
NIUNIU JI
Postdoc
PI: Kent
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
CHONGYA JIANG
Research Scientist
PI: Guan
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Postdoc
Soil and Crop Sciences M.S. CandidateLAVANYA KUDLI
Civil & Environmental Engineering M.S. Candidate
PI: Guest
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Research ScientistJUNG WOO LEE
Crop Sciences Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Lee
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
YALIN LI
Postdoc
PI: Guest
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
DI LIANG
Postdoc
PIs: Yang/Kent
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
JIA LIU
Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Howe
Iowa State University
Technical/Research SupportM-R
- Fahd Majeed
- Minu Mathew
- Hiroshi Matsushima
- Jessica Mulcrone
- Nictor Namoi
- Jessica Nelson
- Zoe Pagliaro
- Taylor Pederson
- Bryan Petersen
- Eric Potash
- Stephen Potter
- Lorien Radmer
- Sierra Raglin
- Joanna Ridgeway
FAHD MAJEED
Agricultural and Applied Economics Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Khanna
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
MINU MATHEW
Research Scientist
PI: Bernacchi
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
HIROSHI MATSUSHIMA
Agricultural and Applied Economics Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Khanna
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
JESSICA MULCRONE
Plant Biology Field/Lab Technician
PI: Yang
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
NICTOR NAMOI
Crop Sciences Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Lee
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Agronomy Ph.D. CandidateZOE PAGLIARO
Biology Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Brzostek
West Virginia University
TAYLOR PEDERSON
Plant Biology Lab/Field Research Technician
PI: Bernacchi
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
BRYAN PETERSEN
Agronomy M.S. Candidate
PI: VanLoocke
Iowa State University
ERIC POTASH
Postdoc
PI: Peng
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Research TechnicianLORIEN RADMER
Research Scientist
PI: Howe
Iowa State University
SIERRA RAGLIN
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Kent
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
JOANNA RIDGEWAY
Biology Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Brzostek
West Virginia University
S-Z
- Bijay Sharma
- Dalton Stewart
- Jacob Studt
- Muhammad Umar
- Rachel Van Allen
- Sheng Wang
- Xinlei Wang
- Haley Ware
- Stephen Williams
- Genghong Wu
- Madelynn Wuestenberg
- Jihoon Yang
- Pan Yang
- Na Zhang
- Ziliang Zhang
- Qiankun Zhao
BIJAY SHARMA
Postdoc
PI: Khanna
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
DALTON STEWART
Civil & Environmental Engineering M.S. Candidate
PI: Guest
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Soil Science M.S. CandidateMUHAMMAD UMAR
Postdoc
PIs: Heaton/VanLoocke
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
RACHEL VAN ALLEN
Plant Biology Field Research Specialist
PI: Yang
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
SHENG WANG
Research Assistant Professor
PI: Guan
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
XINLEI WANG
Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Candidate
PIs: Guan/Peng
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
HALEY WARE
Research Technician
PI: DeLucia
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
STEPHEN WILLIAMS
Technician
PI: Parton
Colorado State University
GENGHONG WU
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Guan
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
MADELYNN WUESTENBERG
Agronomy M.S. Candidate
PI: VanLoocke
Iowa State University
PostdocPAN YANG
Postdoc
PI: Cai
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
NA ZHANG
Agricultural & Applied Economics Ph.D. Candidate
PI: Khanna
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
ZILIANG ZHANG
Postdoc
PI: Yang
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
QIANKUN ZHAO
Civil Engineering M.S. Candidate
PI: Cai
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
FORMER TEAM MEMBERS
Sarah Acquah, Postdoc (Khanna), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Research profile >>>
Kara Allen, Postdoc (Brzostek), West Virginia University
Corben Andrews, Field Research Specialist (DeLucia/Yang), U. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Josh Bendorf, Agronomy M.S. Candidate (VanLoocke), Iowa State University Research profile >>>
Taylor Bozman, Plant Biology Field/Lab Technician (Yang), University of Illinois Urbana-C.
Joseph Carrara, Biology Ph.D. Candidate (Brzostek), West Virginia University
Jinlyung Choi, Postdoc (Howe), Iowa State University
Jennifer DeBellis, Academic Hourly (Guest), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Deepayan Debnath, Senior Research Scientist (Khanna), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Erhu Du, Consultant (Cai), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Desarae Echevarria, Civil and Envtl. Eng. M.S. Candidate (Guest), University of Illinois Urbana-C.
Patrick Edmonds, Associate Scientist (Heaton/VanLoocke), Iowa State University
Kelsie Ferin, Agricultural Meteorology Ph.D. Candidate (VanLoocke), Iowa St. U. Research profile >>>
Kate Glanville, Postdoc (VanLoocke/Heaton), Iowa State University
Amandine Germon, Postdoc (Leakey/Yang), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Jack Goldman, Field Research Specialist (DeLucia/Yang), U. of Illinois Urbana-C.
Ingrid Holstrom, Field Research Specialist (Yang), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
I-Fang Hsieh, Biology Ph.D. Candidate (Finzi), Boston University
Yizhi Huang, Computer Science M.S. Candidate (Guan/Peng), University of Illinois Urbana-C.
Avarna Jain, Plant Biology Field Research Specialist (DeLucia/Yang), University of Ill. Urbana-C.
Saurajyoti Kar, Postdoc (Khanna), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Jeff Kent, Postdoc (Hudiburg), University of Idaho Feature article on the Idaho lab >>>
Dongwon Ki, Integration Postdoc (Guest/Rao/Jin), University of Illinois Urbana-C.
Isaac Klimasmith, Natural Resources & Envt. Sciences Ph.D. Candidate (Kent), U. of Ill. U.-C.
George Kontos, Civil & Env. Engineering M.S. Candidate (Guest), U. of Illinois Urbana-C.
Jordan Koos, Graduate Hourly Researcher (Kent), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Yuan Yao Lee, Postdoc (Khanna), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Carrie Leibensperger, Civil & Envtl. Eng. M.S. Candidate (Cai), U. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Kaiyuan Li, Natural Resources & Envt. Sciences Ph.D. Candidate (Guan), U. of Ill. U.-C.
Yijia Li, Agricultural and Applied Economics Ph.D. Candidate (Khanna), U. of Illinois Urbana-C.
Yu-Jeh Liu, Electrical & Computer Eng. M.S. Candidate (Peng), U. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Eleanor Lucadamo, Field Research Specialist (Kent), U. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Yunan Luo, Computer Science Ph.D. Candidate (Peng), U. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Lanying Ma, Postdoc (Howe), Iowa State University
Caitlin Moore, Postdoc (Bernacchi), University of Ill. Urbana-Champaign Research profile >>>
Eberhard Morgenroth, Visiting Scholar (Guest), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Matt Nowatzke, Crop Prod. & Physiol., Envt Science Ph.D. Candidate (VanLoocke/Heaton), Iowa State U.
Sean Ooi, Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology Ph.D. Candidate (Yang), U. of Ill. U.-C.
Tom Parkinson, Civil & Environmental Engineering M.S. Candidate (Guest), U. of Illinois Urbana-C.
Ximin Piao, Civil & Environmental Engineering M.S. Candidate (Cai), University of Illinois U.-C.
Ryan Quinn, Biology Ph.D. Candidate (Finzi), Boston University Feature article on her work >>>
Mustafa Saiffudin, Biology Ph.D. Candidate (Finzi), Boston University
Charumeghana Samantula, Civil & Envt. Eng. M.S. Candidate (Guest), U. of Illinois Urbana-C.
August Schetter, Crop Sciences M.S. Candidate (Lee), Univ. of Ill. Urbana-C. Research profile >>>
Majid Shafiee Jood, Civil and Environmental Engineering Ph.D. Candidate (Cai), U. of Ill. Urbana-C.
Rui Shi, Postdoc (Guest), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Matthew Siebers, Postdoc (Bernacchi), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sandra Simon, Field Research Technician (Kent), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Thanwalee Sooksa-nguan, Postdoc (Howe), Iowa State University
Alex Steiner, Plant Biology Ph.D. Candidate (Heaton), Iowa State University
Tianyu Sun, Computer Science M.S. Candidate (Peng), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Konrad Taube, Academic Hourly (DeLucia), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Mauricio Tejera, Agronomy Ph.D. Candidate (Heaton), Iowa State University
Adam Von Haden, Postdoc (DeLucia/Yang), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Research profile >>>
Rachel Waltermire, Field Research Technician (Kent), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
WeiWei Wang, Ag. & Consumer Economics Researcher (Khanna), U. of Ill. Urbana-Champaign
Xiao Wang, Agricultural and Applied Economics Ph.D. Candidate (Khanna), U. of Ill. U.-C.
Shuran Wei, Civil & Envtl. Eng. Academic Hourly (Cai), U. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Karen Gupta Weichold, Civil & Envtl. Eng. M.S. Candidate (Guest), U. of Illinois Urbana-C.
Ke Xu, Computer Science M.S. Candidate (Guan/Peng), University of Illinois Urbana-C.
Xinyi Zhang, Civil and Envtl. Eng. M.S. Candidate (Guest), University of Illinois Urbana-C.
Kejie Zhao, Computer Science M.S. Candidate (Peng/Guan), University of Illinois Urbana-C.
Jia Zhong, Ag. & Applied Economics Ph.D. Candidate (Khanna), U. of Ill. Urbana-Champaign