On March 2, 2026, the Advisory Council for the Iowa NSF EPSCoR Chemurgy 2.0 program met with the program’s leadership team for a full day of discussion and collaboration. Council members Robert DiCosimo, Brian McFarland, Erik Hagberg, Jeff DeGrange, Catie Brewer, and Mary Jane Hagenson provided thoughtful feedback and strategic guidance that will help shape the program’s next phase.
We also thank leadership team members Monica Lamm, Irina Bassis, Nigel Reuel, and Laura Jarboe, as well as our institutional leads, focal area teams, and presenters, for their comprehensive project updates and engaging dialogue throughout the meeting. We are grateful to Marcy Seavey for providing an update on the EWD Seed Grants, Manuela A.A. Ayee-Leong for sharing progress on the PUI Summer Research Network, and Alexis Campbell and Jocelyn Drcyzimski for updates on the AP Biology Learn and Earn course.
After a brief recess, the council heard updates from the Research and Technology Transfer team, led by Dr. Nigel Reuel, who presented results from seed funding initiatives within the AM, FFR, and PDT focal areas. The team heard presentations from Dr. Kirillova, Dr. Mansell, Dr. Chowdhury, and Dr. Williams about the results and progress of their seed funding projects.
In the afternoon session, Dr. Surya Mallapragada, a member of the Jurisdictional Steering Committee, provided an update on the recently submitted NSF ENGINES proposal. The team expects to receive results of the submission in April.
As Chemurgy 2.0 moves forward, we look forward to implementing the council’s recommendations and continuing to strengthen Iowa’s growing biomanufacturing ecosystem.
The Spring 2026 edition of the Chemurgy 2.0 external newsletter, “What Is Advanced Biomanufacturing?”, is now available!
This quarterly series is designed to demystify advanced biomanufacturing by translating complex research into clear, accessible stories about how Iowa is transforming “things that grow” into sustainable materials, medicines, and technologies.
In this issue, you’ll find first‑generation scholar spotlights, features on the wet spinner and 1,000L fermentor, and highlights of seed‑funded projects that showcase the advanced biomanufacturing in practice.
Read the new issue here.
Meet Chemurgy 2.0 First Generation Scholars
Meet some of the first-generation scholars driving advanced biomanufacturing through Iowa NSF EPSCoR. Recent spotlights feature Dr. Scott Shaw, who founded the Rural Scholars program supporting rural STEM undergraduates; Dr. Kristan Worthington, whose Worthington Lab work on cell-biomaterial interactions has earned recognition from the American Chemical Society, Association for Vision Research, and Fight for Sight Foundation; and Iowa State graduate research assistant Daniela Sanchez, who co-authored breakthroughs in protein release and vaccine formulation.
Read their full interviews here to learn what inspires them as first-gen scholars, take a journey through their careers and labs, and discover how they define what is "advanced biomanufacturing."
We thank those who volunteered to participate in the spotlights.
Are you a first-generation scholar? Reach out to Cameron Jones at normac@iastate.edu for an upcoming spotlight feature.
Rapid Affinity Characterization of Cell-Free Expressed Nanobodies Directly in Lysate with Biolayer Interferometry Student Presentation: Bret Lange
Watch Bret Lange, a graduate research assistant at Iowa State University in Dr. Nigel Reuel’s lab, share insights into the group’s latest research on streamlining the discovery of nanobody-based binding proteins, “Rapid Affinity Characterization of Cell-Free Expressed Nanobodies Directly in Lysate with Biolayer Interferometry.”
Find the team’s latest publications here.
Watch more student presentations on our YouTube channel here.
Wet Spinner Equipment
A new wet spinner has been installed on the Iowa State University campus through the Iowa NSF EPSCoR program, enabling the production of continuous, long fibers from biodegradable materials such as bacterial cellulose—a plant-like cellulose produced by friendly bacteria. Led by Dr. Chunhui Xiang, co-lead of Chemurgy’s Fibers for Flexible and Rigid Materials focal area, and her graduate research assistant, Binayak Raj Pandey, a third-year PhD student and Chemurgy participant, this equipment supports the development of next-generation wound dressings and functional textiles.
The featured video shows two complementary systems: a wet electrospinning setup and a lab-scale wet spinning machine. In wet electrospinning, extremely fine fibers—thinner than a human hair—are formed using high voltage and collected on a water surface to create soft, three-dimensional, mesh-like mats. The wet spinning machine, by contrast, produces long, continuous, thread-like fiber yarns that can be further processed into fabrics.
Translating to Demystify - What is Photopolymerization?
Springville High School students Abbi Hoyt, Ellie Malanaphy, and Mason Chizek created educational videos demystifying advanced biomanufacturing as part of Dr. Lisa Chizek's (Iowa State University) “Translating Information to Demystify Advanced Biomanufacturing” project, funded through the Iowa NSF EPSCoR Education and Workforce Development Seed Grant Round 1. Guided by Dr. Chizek, the students observed graduate students Andre James and Carson Baldes' work in Dr. Worthington’s Lab, translating research on Iowa's biomanufacturing innovations into accessible content for general audiences.
Watch their videos on our YouTube channel here.
More student-led projects spotlighting Iowa’s biomanufacturing research will be featured in upcoming issues and on our website.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No.2242763
Amanda Williams Guest Lecture Recording
Thank you to Amanda Williams for delivering the keynote lecture, “Run Together and Look Ugly After the First Rain,” as part of the George Washington Carver Day of Recognition. Her presentation explored how George Washington Carver’s innovative use of blue pigments from clays continues to shape contemporary art and design.
This event was co-sponsored by Iowa NSF EPSCoR.
Watch the lecture here, and explore Williams’s work through the Casey Kaplan Gallery here.
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Craig Forney Video Now Available
Now on our YouTube channel: our first Lunch & Learn video!
Dr. Craig Forney, assistant director of business development at the ISU Office of Innovation Commercialization,
delivers expert insights on university technology transfer—
revealing how to transform lab projects into commercial products.
Watch his full talk on our YouTube channel here.
News
Using Carbon Nanotubes To Pinpoint Optimal Harvest Time in Bioprocessing
Iowa State University’s Dr. Nigel Reuel is pioneering single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as real-time nanosensors for bioprocessing. These tools monitor enzyme activity and protein folding directly in turbid lysates and fermentation broths, enabling precise harvest timing at peak expression to streamline scale-up. The technology cuts purification delays for faster process optimization.
Read the full article here.
Kristan Worthington one of four UI professors invited to the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) 2026 Emerging Leaders Forum
The University of Iowa biomedical engineering associate professor Dr. Kristan Worthington has been selected for the prestigious National Academy of Medicine’s 2026 Emerging Leaders Forum, alongside three other UI faculty. This invitation-only event recognizes early- and mid-career leaders driving innovation in biomedical science and health. Worthington’s nomination by an NAM member underscores her exceptional promise in advancing medical solutions.
Read the full announcement here.
2026 Iowa Science Olympiad - Volunteers Needed!
The Iowa Science Olympiad returns to Iowa State University on April 11, challenging middle and high school students in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and engineering events. Volunteers and event supervisors play a key role in making this statewide STEM competition possible—no prior experience required! Learn more about the event here. To get involved, email iowascioly@iastate.edu.
Events
2026 State Science Technology Fair of Iowa
The 2026 State Science & Technology Fair of Iowa (SSTFI) returns March 26–27 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, set to be its biggest year yet. Grades 6–12 students statewide showcase original STEM research and connect with professional researchers. This Regeneron ISEF affiliate offers a key platform for young innovators. More information on their website here.
NSF Engineering Directorate EPSCoR Webinars
The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering (NSF ENG) will host informational webinars for investigators and administrators in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions at 1 p.m. CDT on Friday, March 27, and Thursday, April 2, 2026. NSF ENG leaders will discuss current funding opportunities in engineering research and education, address program fit and eligibility, and offer proposal preparation tips. Learn more and register here.
2026 Nanovaccine Institute Research Symposium
Iowa State University’s Nanovaccine Institute hosts its 2026 Research Symposium on April 1 at Memorial Union, fostering collaboration in next-generation health science. Expect student posters, lightning talks on vaccines and immunotherapy, a career panel, and networking—free for the ISU community.
More information here.
University of Iowa I-Corps – April 2026
The Great Lakes I‑Corps Hub is hosting a free, virtual NSF I‑Corps cohort led by the University of Iowa’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC), running April 6–May 4, 2026. Open to faculty, staff, students, and entrepreneurs across the Midwest, the program helps participants apply the Lean Startup approach to validate ideas, build connections, and explore real-world impact. Sessions meet Mondays at 4 p.m. CT.
Additional spring I‑Corps cohorts are offered at partner universities across the Great Lakes region.
Learn more and register here.
EPSCoR Research Fellows Office Hours
NSF EPSCoR hosts virtual office hours on Tuesday, April 7 from 10–11 a.m. CT for the EPSCoR Research Fellows program (NSF 24-528). The program supports early- and mid-career investigators through extended collaborative research visits across NSF and NASA tracks. Sessions offer applicant guidance. Contact EPSCoR-ERF@nsf.gov with any questions. Register here.
2026 AIChE Annual Student Conference
The University of Iowa AIChE student chapter hosts the 2026 Mid-America Regional Conference on April 10-11 in Iowa City, featuring ChemE Car competitions, poster and paper presentations, ChemE Jeopardy, and an awards banquet. Undergraduate chemical engineering students showcase research and network across events at Seamans Center and Iowa Memorial Union. Registration has closed. More information here.
Science with Cyclones Spring 2026
Iowa State students bring hands-on science demonstrations for kids and families
to Reiman Gardens on Thursday, April 16, from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m., with a special visit from Cy.
The event is free and open to the public. Save the event to your calendar here.
Watch highlights from fall 2025's event here.
EPSCoR E-CORE Office Hours
The NSF EPSCoR E-CORE RII program strengthens statewide research ecosystems by building sustainable infrastructure and collaborative networks that enhance research capacity and competitiveness. Researchers and administrators in EPSCoR jurisdictions are invited to join virtual office hours to discuss the E-CORE RII solicitation (NSF 25-523). Sessions will be held from 2–3 p.m. CDT on April 16 and May 7, 2026.
Register using your institutional email and submit questions in advance to epscor-core@nsf.gov. Full details here.
Save the Date: Lunch and Learn returns May 8
Save the date for our next Lunch and Learn on Friday, May 8, at noon on Zoom. Recently appointed Director of Development Carl Ross shares case studies and tips on regulatory pathways in biomanufacturing.
Add to your calendar here.
Save the Date: 2026 Iowa NSF EPSCoR Symposium
The 2026 Iowa NSF EPSCoR Chemurgy 2.0 Symposium will be held on July 28, 2026, at The University of Iowa.
Agenda, registration, and poster submission details will be provided as the symposium date approaches.
Stay tuned for more details! Calendar link here.
Stay up-to-date with our Events here!
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No.2242763