Curriculum Vita

Mari S. Chinn
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering NC State University
277 Weaver Labs Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7625
(919) 515-6744 mari_chinn@ncsu.edu

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy, Biosystems Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2003.
Dissertation: The production of low cost, thermostable enzyme complexes from anaerobic, thermophilic bacteria grown on lignocellulosic biomass

Master of Science, Biosystems Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2000.
Thesis: Temperature control of a solid substrate cultivation deep bed reactor for the production of xylanase by Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Bachelor of Science, Biological Systems Engineering, University of California, Davis, 1998.
Area of emphasis: Biotechnology

Instructor, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, August 2003 to December 2003.

Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, August 2001 to August 2003.

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, August 1998 to August 2001.

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Davis, June 1997 to August 1998.

Engineer-In-Training. Certificate No. 11328, awarded June 1999

BAE 315—Properties of Biological Engineering Materials: Spring semesters 2004, 2005, 2006
BAE 308—Fundamentals of Bioprocess Engineering: University of Kentucky Co-taught Fall 2001

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

CALS College Committees: Bioprocessing Committee, member (2005); Biotech/Bioprocessing Focus Centers Committee, member (2004)
COE College Committees: University and Engineering Open House Coordinator (2005-present)
NCSU BAE Department Committees: Course and Curriculum Committee, member (2003-present); Recruitment and Placement Committee, member (2003-present); Committee for Biomechanics Service Laboratory, co-chair (2006), member (2005-present); Ad hoc committee for Bioprocess Engineering Comprehensive Review Team, Chair (2005-present); Ad hoc committee for Annual Staff Award and Appreciation Luncheon, member & organizer (2005-present); Ad-hoc Committee for Assessing BAE’s Role in the Dole Foods Initiatives, member (2005); Ad hoc Selection Committee for Bioprocess Engineering Extension Position, member (2005); Ad hoc Selection Committee for BAE Administrative Assistant, member (2004); Ad hoc Committee for the BAE Research Shop, member (2003); Ad-hoc Committee for Bioprocess Engineering, member (2003-2004).
Biotechnology Faculty Member (NCSU Biotechnology Program)
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), BE Division-28, Chair (06-07), Vice-chair/acting chair (2004-06).
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), 2006 Annual International Meeting Session Moderator, Session 120-BE10—Challenges in Lignocellulosic Conversion; 2005 Annual International Meeting Session Organizer and Moderator, Sessions 708a,b—Bioconversion and Bioprocessing.
American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) NC Section, Vice President (2004 to present)
Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE), Student Chapters Committee, member (2005 to present)
ASAE Southeast Regional Rally for Pre-professionals, 2005. Organized and coordinated a three day mini-conference, consisting of industry tours, activities, meals, and business meetings, for pre-professionals from peer institutions in the southeast (~50 participants, 7 universities, April 7-9, 2005)
Bank of America Jeffress Memorial Trust Research Grant, Proposal Reviewer, 1 proposal
USDA SBIR Animal Waste Management Program, Proposal Reviewer, 1 proposal
Transactions of ASAE, Reviewer for submitted manuscripts, 2 manuscripts
Biotechnology Progress, Reviewer for submitted manuscripts, 1 manuscript
Bioresource Technology, Reviewer for submitted manuscripts, 1 manuscript
Internal Departmental Reviewer for manuscript submissions, 4 manuscripts
BAE Department Teaching Reviews, Peer Reviewer, 1-2 per year (2005 to present)
Graduate Councilor, Institute of Biological Engineering. March 1999 to December 2001.
University of Kentucky Committees: Graduate Committee Member (2 years), Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Member (2 years), Student Government Departmental Contact ( 2 years), Search Committee Member for Associate Dean for Research (4 months), Reviewer for Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships.

Submitted to Journal

Chinn, M. S., S. E. Nokes and H. J. Strobel. 2006. Influence of Moisture Content and Cultivation Duration on Clostridium thermocellum 27405 in Solid Substrate Cultivation on Avicel. Submitted to Bioresource Technology.

Shi, J., M. S. Chinn and R. R. Sharma-Shivappa. 2006. Microbial Pretreatment of Cotton Stalks by Solid State Cultivation of Phanerochaete chrysosporium for Bioethanol Production. Submitted to Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.

Shi, J., R. R. Sharma-Shivappa and M. S. Chinn. 2006. Microbial Pretreatment of Cotton Stalks by Submerged Cultivation of Phanerochaete chrysosporium for Bioethanol Production. Submitted to Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.

Conference Papers

Chinn, M. S., S. E. Nokes, H. J. Strobel. 2001. Bacterial Cellulase Production and Extraction: A Review. Paper No. 017017. Presented at the ASAE International Meeting. Sacramento, California. July 29-Aug 1, 2001.

Chinn, M. S. and S. E. Nokes. 2000. Temperature Control of a Solid State Cultivation Deep Bed Reactor. Paper No. 008002. Presented at the ASAE International Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. July 9-12, 2000.

Chinn, M. S., J. S. Vandergheynst, and J. Miles. 1998. Design and Construction of a Semi-Continuous Reactor for Solid State Cultivation. Paper No. 987039. Presented at the ASAE International Meeting. Orlando, Florida. July 11-16, 1998.

CONTRACTS AND GRANTS

M. S. Chinn, L. F. Stikeleather and M.D. Boyette. On-farm Conversion of Sweet Sorghum Juice to Bioethanol. University Extension, Engagement and Economic Development Grant Program 2006, $15,000, 1 year.

J.J. Classen, R. Sharma, M. Chinn and K. Zering. Opportunities for Biofuel Feedstocks at the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant. City of Raleigh Public Utilities 2006, $22,407 5 months.

M. S. Chinn and R.R. Sharma. Development of a Marketing Survey for Bioprocess Engineering Distance Education. BAE Distance Education Grant Program, NCSU 2006, $9990 5 months.

L.J. Fleischmann and M. S. Chinn (Faculty Advisor). Production of low cost amylase enzymes in solid substrate cultivation. Undergraduate Research Award Spring 2006: student stipend $500; materials & supplies $500

C.E. Nivens and M. S. Chinn (Faculty Advisor). Saccharification of sweet potatoes for the production of ethanol. Undergraduate Research Award Spring 2006: student stipend $500; materials & supplies $500

M. Chinn, R. Sharma, M. Boyette, J. Classen and F. Humenik. Request for a Gas Chromatograph Workstation. CALS Small Equipment Grants Program 2005, $3,650.

M.S. Chinn. 2005-2006. Biological Conversion of synthesis gas to ethanol using resting cells. NC State University Faculty Research and Professional Development Individual Grants Program. $4000.

R. Sharma, M. Chinn, M. Boyette.2004-2005. Solvent extraction and composition analysis of capsaicin from different parts of habanero peppers (Capsicum chinense) for application in food processing. NC Specialty Crops Program. $15,000.

R. Sharma, M. Chinn, J. Cheng, J. Classen, A. Hale. Request for a Spectrophotometer. CALS Overhead Equipment Grants Program, $10,000.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Current

Master of Science (thesis)
• William H. Duvernay. Expected August 2008. Sweetpotato Conversion for the Production of Ethanol. M.S. thesis. NC State University. Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

Master of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (non-thesis)
• Alexander Earle, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, expected graduation Dec. 2006.

Completed

Master of Science (thesis)
• Jacqueline L. Cotter. 2006. Ethanol and Acetate Production from Synthesis Gas using Microbial Catalysts. M.S. thesis. NC State University. Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

Committees—within the Department

Jian Shi, Ph.D., Biological and Agricultural Engineering, expected graduation Dec. 2006.

UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE ADVISING ACTIVITIES

Undergraduate Academic Advising: 6 BEP students, 1 BEE, 1 BE, 1 AET (2006); 5 BEP students (2005); 4 BEP students (2004)

Undergraduate Research:

2006
• 6 senior design groups (Group 1—4 students, Design of a Laboratory Scale Cell Immobilization Reactor, Spring 2006; Group 2—4 students, Design of a Methodology to Effectively Immobilize Autotrophic Cells, Spring 2006; Group 3—4 students, Design of a Small Scale Secondary Catalytic Combustion Reactor for Synthesis Gas Cleanup, Spring 2006; Group 4—4 students, Design and Instrumentation of a Downdraft Gasifier, Fall 2006; Group 5—3 students, Modification of a Small Scale Synthesis Gas Cleanup System, Fall 2006; Group6—8 students, Design of a Pilot Scale Biorefinery Sweetpotato Conversion Process, Fall 2006)
• 1 student, Fermentation of Sweet Sorghum Juice for Ethanol Production
• 1 student, Amylase Production on Sweetpotato in Solid Substrate and Submerged Liquid Cultivation
• 1 student, Saccharification of Sweetpotatoes for the Production of Ethanol
• 1 student (NSF REU program), Saccharification and Fermentation of Hardwood Paper Pulp for Ethanol

2005
• 5 senior design groups (Group 1—5 students, Process Control and Operation of a Single Unit Yeast Fermentation System, Spring 2005; Group 2—3 students, Design of a Laboratory Scale Oyster Mushroom Growth Chamber, Spring 2005; Group 3—4 students, Design of a Laboratory Scale Cell Immobilization Reactor, Fall 2005; Group 4—4 students, Design of a Methodology to Effectively Immobilize Autotrophic Cells, Fall 2005; Group 5—4 students, Design of a Small Scale Secondary Catalytic Combustion Reactor for Synthesis Gas Cleanup, Fall 2005)
• 1 student, Amylase Production on Sweetpotato in Solid Substrate Cultivation
• 1 student, Saccharification of Sweetpotatoes for the Production of Ethanol

2004
• 3 senior design groups (Group 1—2 students, Design of a solid substrate cultivation reactor for the growth of anaerobic thermophiles, Spring 2004; Group 2—5 students, Process Control and Operation of a Single Unit Yeast Fermentation System, Fall 2004; Group 3—3 students, Design of a Laboratory Scale Oyster Mushroom Growth Chamber, Fall 2004)
• 1 student, Development of Solvent Extraction Methods for Capsaicin Removal from Habañero Peppers
• 1 student, Transfer and Maintenance of Pleurotus sp. on Potato Dextrose Agar

Teaching Assistant Supervising: 2 students (2004); 1 student (2006)

Research Assistant: 1 student, Marketing Survey for Bioprocess Engineering Distance Education (2006)
1 student, Growth Studies using Autotrophic Bacteria in Syngas Fermentation (2006)

Student Organization Advising:
• Co-advisor, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Student Branch (NCSU, BAE); 2004 to present
• Co-advisor, ASAE ¼ Scale Tractor Pulling Team (Wolfpack Pullers); 2005 to present
• Advisor (informal), BAE Graduate Student Association; 2004 to present

High School Students: 2 students, Potential of tobacco residues for value-added products (2005-06)
1 student, general research assistance (2004)

RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES

College of Engineering Summer Camp, North Carolina State University. Designed and organized a week long interdisciplinary research project (biological engineering and animal science) for selected high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. The students were provided hands-on lab experiences in the bioprocessing area as well as introduced to other academic and research activities in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department. June 19-24, 2005 and June 25-30, 2006.
Graduate Student Recruitment Weekend. Hosted potential bioprocessing graduate students. (2005-06)
Introduction to bioprocessing guest lectures. BAE 100, E101 and BME 102. Presented information on the concentration area, academic requirements and support systems offered within the BAE department (2003-06)
Introduction to bioprocessing guest lab. BAE 100. Conducted an introductory laboratory to familiarize students with bioprocess engineering topics and common laboratory and analysis methods. (2004-06)
Engineering Open House. BAE department representative. Prepared poster and displays representing current research activities in BAE for the all concentration areas. (2003-05)
IFAL workshops. Presented information on the BAE department and bioprocess engineering concentration area. Conducted a small experiment to demonstrate the usefulness of enzymes and the significance of an engineer (2004). Presented information on the BAE department, the biological engineering degree and concentrations of study and the agricultural & environmental technology program (2005). Presented information on bioprocessing concentration (2006)
High School student workshop, Goldsboro, NC. Presented information on the BAE department and bioprocess engineering concentration area (70 Students, 2005)
CALS Student Club Fair. BAE department and ASAE student club advisor representative. (2004-06)
CALS Tailgate. BAE department representative and assisted in the development of public relations brochures. (2004-05)
University Open House. CALS and COE. Assisted in the development of the new departmental engineering display, brochures and handouts; planned and conducted demonstrations (Immobilized Cell Fermentation using Calcium Alginate Beads and Soap Production as a Value Added Product). (2003-04, 2006)
First Year College (FYC) Open House. BAE department representative. September 30, 2003.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Attended USDA/CSREES Grantsmanship Workshop, Washington, DC (September 6-7, 2006)
Attended a faculty seminar hosted by the NCSU Campus Writing and Speaking Program. The objective of the biweekly semester long seminar was to provide information and resources to allow faculty to enhance writing and speaking activities in undergraduate courses.
Attended a biotechnology course BIT 810: Core Technologies in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Attended NSF CAREER Award workshop, Extended Program of the New Faculty Workshop, Mar. 25, 2004.
Attended the IBE Annual Conference, Biology Inspired Engineering Frontiers, Athens, GA (March 4-6, 2005)
Attended The World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing Conference, BIO: Biotechnology Industry Organization, Orlando FL (April 20-22, 2005)
Attended ASABE Annual International Meetings, 2003-2006
Attended American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) NC Section Meeting. Advances in Biological and Agricultural Engineering Symposium. Asheville, NC. June 8-9, 2004.
Attended the New Faculty Workshop sponsored by the College of Engineering, Aug. 4-8, 2003.
Attended the Biomass Resource Conference sponsored by the NC State Energy Office, Oct. 20, 2003
Award to participate in the invitational Procter and Gamble Research and Technical Careers in Industry technology management conference, June 1-4, 2002

POPULAR PRESS

“NCSU researchers help carryout man’s vision” in The Nashville Graphic, Vol. 111(43), Oct. 25, 2006.
“Pullers’ Progress” in Perspectives: The Magazine of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fall 2006.
“Chatting with Dr. Mari Chinn”. Member Spotlight, Institute of Biological Engineering, Spring 2006, http://www.ibeweb.org/spotlight/index.cgi.
“Alternative Energy: Harvesting Fuel from Agricultural Bounty” in Results: Research and Graduate Studies at North Carolina State University, Winter 2006
“New Faculty Members Focus on Bioprocessing” in Perspectives: The Magazine of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Winter 2004.