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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.
Symposium 2026 Highlights
The Third Annual Iowa NSF EPSCoR Symposium was held on July 28, 2026, in the Pharmacy Building on the University of Iowa campus, bringing together over 100 attendees from across the state to learn about advanced biomanufacturing and related research. The event featured a keynote presentation by Patrick Mueller of IBI Scientific, interactive sessions led by Jeff Keuter and Amy Colbert of the University of Iowa, and student-focused programming led by Taylor Sklenar of Iowa State University.
Together, the speakers highlighted how researchers, students, and industry partners are using biology and technology to develop more sustainable products, processes, and solutions across Iowa.
View the full photo gallery from the event here.
A special congratulations to our poster winners:
- 1st Place: Cynthia Okafor, Binayak Raj Pandey, Chunhui Xiang, Dr. Aliasger Salem
- 2nd Place: Greta Musgrave, Brenna McIlvoy, Andrew Tan, Maharram Jabrayilov, Annex Ogbu, Dr. Matthew Panthani
- 3d Place: Jalyn Struble, Jiale (Catherine) Yu, Joseph Jang, Dr. Manuela AyeeLeong
Outreach and Collaboration
Discover how our industry partnerships are connecting research with real-world applications. Through site visits, conversations, and collaborative opportunities, faculty and students gain valuable insight into industry needs while helping shape practical research directions, strengthen relationships, and advance innovations toward impact.
Focal Areas Visit Industry Campus
In June 2026, 28 Chemurgy 2.0 members from two focal areas—Plastics for Additive Manufacturing (PAM) and Fibers for Recyclable Materials (FFR)—toured Kemin Industries headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. Organized by Dr. Albert Ranter, the visit brought together researchers from the PAM team, led by Zengyi Shao and Kristan Worthington, and the FFR team, led by Chunhui Xiang, to learn more about Kemin’s work and explore collaboration opportunities.
Iowa State University student Sam Richardson said the tour offered insight into the daily work of biochemists, biological engineers, and chemical engineers, as well as Kemin’s vision to transform consumers’ lives through its products. The experience showed how university research—including fluid modeling and reactor design—can translate into real-world products and industrial processes, such as improved bioreactor design for producing specialty antioxidants and enzymes. Connecting theoretical work in university laboratories with the industrial process floor helps students understand the real-world endpoint of their foundational research.
During the tour, faculty members and graduate student researchers gained insight into Kemin’s product-development work and saw how laboratory-scale research can move toward commercial applications. Following the tour, Chemurgy 2.0 researchers and Kemin representatives discussed potential collaborative projects and future funding opportunities. Additional industry visits are being planned to strengthen connections between Chemurgy 2.0 researchers and Iowa’s bioeconomy and create new opportunities for research partnerships.
In April 2026, Chemurgy 2.0 members from the Proteins for Diagnostics and Therapeutics (PDT) focal area visited Merck Animal Health to learn more about large-scale biomanufacturing and opportunities at the intersection of animal and human health. The visit aimed to build participants’ understanding of the manufacture of mRNA and viral vector-based platforms while exploring potential opportunities for collaboration. The visit brought together PDT researchers and trainees to explore how animal health products move from research and development to industrial-scale production.
During the tour, participants gained insight into the similarities and differences between approaches to animal and human health while seeing firsthand how production operates at a scale far beyond the laboratory.
For graduate student Daniela Sanchez (pictured on the right), seeing Merck’s extensive “freezer farm” offered a new perspective on how laboratory-scale research can connect to larger biomanufacturing applications. Participants, particularly trainees, responded positively to the experience. Building on that interest, PDT leaders are arranging additional visits to relevant companies across Iowa. These visits will connect Chemurgy 2.0 researchers and students with industry partners, strengthen collaboration opportunities, and support translating research into real-world applications.
Chemurgy 2.0 Program Director Dr. Laura Jarboe and the leadership team are also organizing visits to other institutions during the fall semester and throughout 2027. These visits will broaden the program’s network and help identify potential partnerships. Host institutions will learn about Chemurgy 2.0, its three focal areas, and explore collaboration opportunities. Conversations will also highlight current and upcoming opportunities, including remaining calls for science and Education and Workforce Development (EWD) seed grant proposals.
To learn more about Chemurgy 2.0’s engagement with industry, continue exploring our conversations on the Iowa NSF EPSCoR YouTube channel. The channel features eight Lunch and Learn presentations from industry leaders and partners, along with 17 student research presentations.
Summer 2026 REU and RET Programs
This summer, Iowa NSF EPSCoR’s Chemurgy 2.0 program connected research, education, and real-world STEM applications through its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) programs. Over six weeks at Iowa State University, undergraduate students Greta Musgrave and Sage Perkins joined STEM educators Brenna McIlvoy, Erin McBroom, and Luizviminda Dinglasan in active research labs and professional learning experiences focused on voice, agency, and authentic inquiry.
Working alongside faculty and graduate student mentors, participants explored topics ranging from silicon nanosheets and biochemistry to machine learning and sustainable bioplastics. Their experiences strengthened research skills, encouraged collaboration, and provided new ideas for bringing hands-on, student-centered learning into classrooms and future careers. The cohort compiled their reflections and experiences in Finding Our Voices, a final digital book.
Through Chemurgy 2.0, participants gained valuable insight into how collaborative research can inform practical solutions, strengthen education, and advance innovation toward meaningful impact.
Learn more about the 2026 cohort and explore participant posters and reflections here.
NSF RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine Launches
Discover the people, partnerships, and projects shaping the future of advanced biomanufacturing. From emerging technologies and collaborative research to workforce development and regional innovation, these efforts connect ideas to opportunity—strengthening communities, expanding impact, and turning bold possibilities into meaningful progress.
RuralSTAMINA Named One of 12 NSF Engines
In July 2026, Iowa State University was selected to lead the NSF RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine, one of 12 Regional Innovation Engines chosen nationwide. The initiative received an initial $15 million award from the National Science Foundation, with the potential for up to $160 million over 10 years. RuralSTAMINA brings together more than 70 public and private partners across Iowa and Nebraska—including researchers, industry leaders, startups, workforce organizations, and government agencies—to transform agricultural and biological resources into high-value products. The Engine will support commercialization, expand workforce opportunities, and create competitive jobs while advancing products such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, coatings, chemicals, and advanced materials. By connecting research with industry and manufacturing, RuralSTAMINA will help move new technologies from the laboratory into scalable production while supporting agricultural producers and small and medium-sized manufacturers.
Our work in Chemurgy 2.0 was foundational to the launch of the NSF RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine effort, which is also focused on engineered, biologically derived materials such as the monomers, fibers, proteins, and cell products found in our EPSCoR research portfolio. Moreover, I was able to start bridging collaborations across many of our state research institutions and make connections to industry prior to the launch of the Engine. These efforts have helped prepare me for the role of CTO in the NSF Engines as I look to work with even more university partners, industry members, startups, and state government partners in Iowa and Nebraska. Our top priority in the Engine is to make our region the go-to center of knowledge and resources for ventures seeking to scale up and manufacture products from biological feedstocks. I look forward to continuing my work with the great EPSCoR team members in this role. Keep on building!
— Dr. Nigel Reuel, Chief Technology Officer, NSF RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine
Dr. Nigel Reuel has transitioned from Chemurgy's 2.0 Associate Director for Research and Technology Transfer to Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine. We thank him for his contributions to Iowa NSF EPSCoR and wish him success in his new role.
Watch the announcement video here.
Rewatch their RuralSTAMINA Partner Engagement Webinar here.
Visit their website and sign-up for their first newsletter here.
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 Marcy Seavey and Dr. Zengyi Shao, who now serve in the roles previously held by 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 social media updates. 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