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Advanced biomanufacturing is about transforming “things that grow” into sustainable materials, life-saving medicines, and innovative products that meet human needs.
Through the Chemurgy 2.0 project, Iowa’s researchers, students, and industry partners are working together to create plant-based plastics for 3D printing, high-performance biofibers, and proteins for diagnostics and vaccines--all powered by data science, artificial intelligence, and state-of-the-art manufacturing.
Each quarter, this newsletter will take you inside the labs, classrooms, and partnerships driving Iowa’s leadership in this field. You will meet the people behind the science, see how student projects connect to real-world innovation, and discover how industry collaborations are shaping the future of the bioeconomy in Iowa and beyond.
From Our Team: First‑Generation Voices in Biomanufacturing
Discover authentic voices from first‑generation scholars in our community as they reflect on what advanced biomanufacturing means to them and what inspired their paths in science. Through their experiences, this evolving field comes to life—connecting research, education, and everyday impact while inspiring the next generation of scientific thinkers.
We asked some of the first-generation scholars on our team what sparked their interest in science education and what "advanced biomanufacturing" means to them.
Hear from graduate research assistant Daniela Sanchez (Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Laboratories, Iowa State University):
As a first-gen scholar, what sparked your interest in pursuing an education in science?
I can’t think of a specific moment that sparked my interest. Science has always interested me. What motivated me to pursue graduate school was my participation in an REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program, along with shadowing a graduate student during my undergraduate studies. There was a long of uncertainty around graduate school, only because I didn’t personally know anyone who was familiar with the process. Thankfully, there were a lot of resources available to me, so it was doable, and now I’m here!
What is “advanced biomanufacturing” to you?
To me, advanced biomanufacturing is about connecting two fields that seem different but can actually have significant overlap. The future work on my project is a great example. The polymers I work with to create particle-based vaccines could one day be produced in a more sustainable way – connecting vaccines to green chemistry.
Learn from Dr. Kristan Worthington, Professor, Biomedical Engineering (Worthington Lab, The University of Iowa):
As a first-gen scholar, what sparked your interest in pursuing an education in science?
Although it’s difficult to pinpoint a single moment, there are a few experiences that played a role in my career decisions. For example, during a visit to my grandparents’ house when I was around 10 years old, I found an old microscope in the basement and I got to take it home. I had learned about circuits in school, so I used a paperclip to fix the broken switch and then spent hours looking at microbes from puddles in the backyard, among other things. With the help of many wonderful teachers and mentors, I continued to develop a love of science and math. I didn’t realize that I could combine those two interests into a career until my high school chemistry teacher encouraged me to consider a major in chemical engineering. The rest is history!
What is “advanced biomanufacturing” to you?
To me, “advanced biomanufacturing” means harnessing the power of biology to create new things or amplify the manufacturing of useful products. In either case, I think one important aspect of biomanufacturing is to also aim to have a neutral or positive impact on our planet’s well-being.
Hear from Dr. Scott Shaw, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Dept. of Chemistry (Shaw Group, The University of Iowa):
As a first-gen scholar, what sparked your interest in pursuing an education in science?
There's not a great reason for me picking science… I grew up on a farm. None of my family went to college, and I didn't really want to go to college. My parents really wanted me to go and I made a deal with my parents that I would go for one year, and thought that if I was going to be there for one year that maybe chemistry would give me some information on soil chemistry or fertilizers that I might be able to use when I came back home. That's what got me started in science. The joke in my family now is that I never really left school… I just kept going. I do still like going home to visit and working outside.
What is “advanced biomanufacturing” (to you)?
That's a broad term and it could mean a lot of different things depending on who you're talking to. As a scientist, to me biomanufacturing means either making things from bio-sourced materials or using biological organisms to make some product. There are a thousand ways to interpret what ‘advanced’ means, so I’m not going to touch that one.
Inside the Lab: Equipment Spotlight
Explore the cutting-edge equipment powering advanced biomanufacturing, from fermentors to fiber spinners. These tools bridge classroom learning and real-world research, giving students and scholars hands-on opportunities to see science move from concept to creation while driving innovation.
Wet Spinner
Iowa State University has unveiled a cutting-edge wet spinner, funded by the Iowa NSF EPSCoR Chemurgy 2.0 program, capable of producing continuous, long fibers from sustainable, biodegradable materials such as bacterial cellulose. This plant-like cellulose, produced by beneficial bacteria, opens the door to innovative applications ranging from advanced wound dressings to high-performance textiles.
Led by Chunhui Xiang, co-lead of Chemurgy’s Fibers for Flexible and Rigid Materials focal area, alongside her PhD student Binayak Raj Pandey, the setup features two powerful fiber-production systems. Wet electrospinning uses high voltage to create ultra-fine fibers—thinner than a human hair—forming soft, three-dimensional mesh mats ideal for medical applications. Meanwhile, the wet spinning machine produces strong, thread-like yarns that can be woven into durable fabrics.
Together, these technologies help advance eco-friendly materials from laboratory research to real-world, scalable applications.
Watch a video of the wet spinner in action here.
1,000L Fementor
The University of Iowa’s Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB), led by director Dr. Mark Arnold, one of Chemurgy 2.0's Focal Area Co-Leads in Proteins for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, has installed a new 1,000‑liter fermentor that doubles its pilot‑scale bioprocessing capacity. This state‑of‑the‑art vessel enables CBB to produce larger batches of valuable biotech products, including enzymes, diagnostic and therapeutic proteins, and other next‑generation biologics for research and early clinical use. Supported by the Iowa NSF EPSCoR Chemurgy 2.0 project and a Strategic Infrastructure Program grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the expanded facility helps move discoveries from university and industry labs toward real‑world applications while also training the biomanufacturing workforce of the future.
Learn more about CBB and its capabilities here.
Interested in scaling your research? Service Request Form
Seed Grants: Funding Innovation in Action
Explore our Seed Grant programs that offer starter funding for innovative advanced biomanufacturing projects—from technology transfer to education and workforce development—along with real examples of funded initiatives driving impact. These opportunities expand research, strengthen Iowa's talent pipeline, foster economic growth, and turn bold ideas into tangible progress.
Technology Development/Technology Transfer
Currently open.
Supports research projects advancing biomanufacturing and sustainable materials in Iowa.
Up to $50,000 available for one or two 12-month efforts with potential for federal funding and economic impact (20% cost share required).
Proposals due 11:59 p.m. February 15, 2026; decisions by March 9; projects start April 1.
Contact Dr. Nigel Reuel (reuel@iastate.edu).
Full details: 2026 Chemurgy RFP.
Review previously funded TD/TT projects:
Dr. Alina Kirillova (Iowa State) - 3D Printing of Bio-Based Fiber-Reinforced Biocomposites for Bone Tissue Engineering
Dr. Thomas Mansell (Iowa State) - Antifreeze Protein Project
Dr. Ratul Chowdhury (Iowa State) - Foundational AI-models to understand how atomic vibrations propagate within a protein structure towards designing better enzymes and therapeutics
Dr. Hyeongmin Seo (UofI) - Accelerating Synthetic Biology for Sustainable 1,5-Diaminopentane Production Through Nanofabricated High-throughput Assay
Education and Workforce Development
Currently closed.
Supports projects building Iowa's biomanufacturing talent pipeline.
Up to $15,000 per project in two areas: engaging high school/undergraduate students (or influencers) to grow future professionals; sharing real Iowa biomanufacturing career stories (open to schools, nonprofits, government).
Contact Marcy Seavey (marcene.seavey@uni.edu).
Full details: EWD Solicitation.
Review previously funded EWD projects:
Dr. Lisa Chizek (Iowa State) - Translating Information to Demystify Advanced Biomanufacturing
Dr. Jeffrey Grisamore (UofI) - Content Marketing Strategies to Inform and Inspire Targeted Publics on Biomanufacturing’s Current and Future Impact in Iowa
Our Story and Leadership
Launched in 2023 with support from the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR program, Chemurgy 2.0, short for "Building Capacity Across Iowa to Meet Human Needs from Things That Grow," unites researchers and students from five Iowa institutions: Iowa State University, The University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, Central College, and Dordt University. Led by Project Director Dr. Laura Jarboe with Associate Directors Dr. Monica Lamm and Dr. Nigel Reuel, the initiative builds on Iowa’s agricultural strengths to advance innovations in three core areas: plastics for additive manufacturing, fibers for materials, and proteins for diagnostics and therapeutics. Today, our network includes more than 125 people. Together, we are working to grow Iowa’s role as a national leader in advanced biomanufacturing while strengthening research infrastructure, expanding statewide collaborations, and preparing a diverse future workforce.
Connect with us
Stay connected through our quarterly editions and regular updates on our social media. Our goal is to simplify, clarify, and demystify advanced biomanufacturing--bringing you clear, accessible insights that make this growing field easier to understand. With fresh content and ongoing stories, we’ll keep you informed, engaged, and inspired.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No.2242763