News

CBRD Center

The Governor’s 2010 Initiative created the State’s 5th research Center in July 2006.  This new center, titled the Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development, or CBRD for short, is a joint center between the SD School of Mines and Technology (Rapid City, SD) and SD State University (Brookings, SD) and is headquartered at SDSM&T.  This Center is focused on development of innovative processes to convert biomass into ethanol and high value chemicals, which can replace petroleum-derived products.  The principal investigators are Drs. Robb Winter (SDSM&T, at NSF for FY 07) and William Gibbons (SDSU), with Dr. David Dixon (SDSM&T) serving as acting director.  A letter of intent to establish a National Science Foundation Industry & University Cooperative Research Program (I/UCRC) was recently submitted to the NSF.  Industrial partners who are interested in research being conducted by the center are currently being sought.  The center has openings for a Center Director (SDSM&T), a research faculty member (SDSU), and a Chemical and Instrumentation Specialist.  See the SD Board of Regents web site for more information regarding these opportunities (SDBOR).

RET Site Summer 2007

The CBE Department will again conduct a NSF sponsored Research Experience for Teachers (RET) on the campus during June/July 2007.  This site provides opportunities for middle and high school teachers to participate on active research projects being conducted by CBE and other campus faculty members.  For more information see the attached RET web site.

New Ph.D. in CBE

In December of 2006, the SD Board of Regents approved a request for a new PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering.  The Governor and SD BOR included a request for funding the program in their budget to the SD legislature, which is currently meeting (Jan – Mar 2007).  Contingent upon funding approval of the legislature, the CBE department will hire three tenure-track faculty members and recruit interested PhD graduate students, with nationally competitive stipends, beginning at $25,000.  Students interested in applying for admission may apply online at the Graduate Education web site.

CBE/C Building Project

The departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Chemistry share a building and are working on the design of a new academic and research building.  An artist rendition of what this new building may look like is shown on the left.