Third Quarter Local Section Meeting

The next general meeting of the AIChE Mid-South Section, hosted by the Christian Brothers University Student Chapter, will be held Thursday, October 5, 2017 in the Sabbatini Lounge of the Thomas Center at Christian Brothers University (Google map).  Guests should enter campus through the entrance on Central Avenue at Early Maxwell Blvd (Campus Map). 

Please RSVP by Tuesday, 10/3/17 to Randel Price (rprice@cbu.edu).

Program

• 6:00 –   Social/Networking Time
• 6:30 –   Dinner (cost is $15)
• 7:15 –    Local Section Announcements (2018 Executive Board Officer and Director Election)
• 7:30 –    Producing Protein and Chemicals from Methane, a Sustainable Platform for Biotechnology

Dr. Luan Nguyen, Director of Engineering, Calysta, Inc.

Abstract

Calysta, Inc. has developed a robust bioconversion platform utilizing host organisms (methanotrophs) capable of metabolizing methane to a variety of products including higher value biochemicals and single cell protein. Calysta’s first commercial product is FeedKind® protein, a sustainable, traceable alternative feed ingredient for fish, livestock and pet nutritional products. FeedKind protein is comparable in many respects to high-quality fishmeal, a critical ingredient for aquaculture. FeedKind protein is sustainably produced via non-GMO fermentation of methane, which has minimal impacts on water and land use and does not compete with any aspect of the human food chain. Calysta is collaborating with Cargill to build on what will be the world’s largest gas fermentation facility, occupying 37 acres of Cargill’s 69-acre property on President’s Island in Memphis.

Speaker Bio

Luan Nguyen, Ph.D. is Director of Engineering at Calysta. He joined Calysta in 2012 and is responsible for new technology development and project management. He currently focusses on building Calysta’s first commercial plant in North America for the manufacturing of FeedKind® protein and leading a R&D program for the commercialization of new products at Calysta’s pilot plant in Teesside, UK where he played an integral role in designing and commissioning the facility.

Prior to joining Calysta, Dr. Nguyen also worked at Codexis, Clorox, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, and Dupont where he held a number of scientific leadership and management positions. He is the author of more than 10 scientific publications and over 5 patents and patent applications. He received a Ph.D. and a B.S. degree from the University of Houston and a M.S. degree from Texas A&M University all in Chemical Engineering.